AD-10 or AD-15 ?

AD-10 or AD-15 ?


  • Total voters
    39
  • Poll closed .
Joined
May 29, 2020
Messages
2,590
I resisted to even try one for very long time !!

But maybe it's time to be bit softer and buy one
But which one ?

Thanks
 
AD-10 for me...







*This ^^^ is my favorite "fidget spinner" in the whole World. I was on the phone yesterday morning, with the Bexar County Appraisal District (*disputing our property taxes), and musta' opened and closed this thing about a million times.
 
I have both, and the 15 carries a bit smaller so I prefer it for that reason. But it's still pretty bulky so I don't carry it often.

The 10 had the smoothest out-of-the-box TriAd I've ever seen.
 
The AD10 for me, too. I was stunned at the fit/finish on this knife. To me, this may be the best quality of CS knives I own. I have several Cold Steel knives now and they are all in the stable for rotating with the rest of my work knives. During the day I get dirt, sawdust, dust, and all manner of other crap in my pockets from my construction work. Sometimes at the end of the day I take the traditional knife out of my pocket, my lighter and my change and then walk out on the patio and dump the accumulated job debris outside.

So no open spaces to collect pocket junk in a pocket knife. One of the reasons I have never owned by one frame lock is they can collect enough crap to plant a garden in it. I know the AD15 isn't a frame lock, but i has lots of wide open spaces. And the one I handled fell into the category of "how much would I like using this knife with really sweaty, dirty hands watching for hot spots?" I couldn't get a satisfactory hard grip on that knife by just picking it up. The fit and finish on it looked great, but the AD15 just wasn't for me.

Someone pointed it out earlier before I got my AD10 that it was like a big brother to the Ultimate Hunter. And so it is. Great contours on the handle, nearly the same blade shape, and for me carries very well. There was a lot of excitement here when the AD10 came out but I resisted buying it because I didn't really need it. But when the last birthday came up and my SO asked me what I wanted, I told her the AD10. My only regret is that I waited to purchase it myself.
 
I got an AD-10 for my son and it’s very nice compared to other CS knives I’ve handled.

I added a fob, an aluminum “Snaggletooth” wave, and recently a custom Ti pocket clip made by Pops Custom Clips on Etsy.

Now it goes in and out of the pocket fast in addition to being a generally good knife. :)

(No pics of the clip but here’s the wave - fits this knife really well…)
9BC34989-F759-4680-A6DB-2494C8FA1733.jpegBD245851-24AA-476C-A9B9-77F3EE790D1B.jpeg
 
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scdub scdub , I have to ask. Using the wave clip you added, will it easily come out of the pocket and lock up completely with one motion? That add looks pretty enticing!
Yes for sure. I’d say from just a little use that it functions better than the thumb plate “wave” used on some other CS folders. Be aware you might have to dig around a little to find the ones made from aluminum instead of plastic (if you have a preference).
 
AD10 for me. Not a fan of the scorpion lock. More room for gunk and grime to get into the knife it seems.

The CS Ultimate Hunter is very similar and a knife I consider a "poor mans" AD10 that runs about $78 less than the AD10.
 
One drop to a hard surface could damage the exposed blade tang of ad~15. Also, vertical blade play can be a potential issue of ad-15.
 
AD-10 fan here. It's a helluva lot of knife for $100. Mine arrived slick and sharp, and ready to do battle with with some out-of-control lilac branches and a passel of Amazon boxes.

Interestingly, despite its thick blade, the AD-10 pretty much glides through cardboard, thanks to an extra keen edge. The ergonomics of the handle help, too: there's plenty to grab onto to spread the load.

The largely positive opinions of others here on the Forum, as well as its aesthetics helped drive my decision to choose the AD-10 over the AD-15. It's just a better looking knife. And, yeah, looks do count.

That said, the AD-10 is a bit too large for most of my modest carry needs (as would be the AD-15), but it is a good knife to have available. I hate to blaspheme, but to me, it's the poor man's Medford.
 
AD-10 fan here. It's a helluva lot of knife for $100. Mine arrived slick and sharp, and ready to do battle with with some out-of-control lilac branches and a passel of Amazon boxes.

Interestingly, despite its thick blade, the AD-10 pretty much glides through cardboard, thanks to an extra keen edge. The ergonomics of the handle help, too: there's plenty to grab onto to spread the load.

The largely positive opinions of others here on the Forum, as well as its aesthetics helped drive my decision to choose the AD-10 over the AD-15. It's just a better looking knife. And, yeah, looks do count.

That said, the AD-10 is a bit too large for most of my modest carry needs (as would be the AD-15), but it is a good knife to have available. I hate to blaspheme, but to me, it's the poor man's Medford.


Very well-put. My post, early yesterday morning, was very haphazard and didn't really speak to the actual benefits of the 10 for me. (*Thank you, Jasper Newton Daniel)


Like you (*and many others, I'm sure), I use my folders for everything from cutting trimming line in the yard, to opening boxes and packages, to cutting my frozen pizzas and chicken strips. I'm a fixie guy. So, when it comes to folders, you'll probably never hear me talking about things like "blade centering", "super steels", and "torx-screw construction". Because of that, I like low maintenance folders that do everything I ask of 'em...which is why, I reckon, my little Buck 110 Slims have been occupying my pocket for so long. Like the 110 Slims, the 10 is a great use/rinse/repeat option, and checks all the boxes. The fact that it pushes my 110 Slims outta' my pocket, on the regular, is actually a huge statement for me.

I bought a 4MAX Scout over an AD10 based on the reco of one of my favorite YouTube'rs. What I missed in his vid was the context of his statement. He was basically saying that if you wanted a "tank" of a folder, the Scout may be a better option for the money. I really like my Scout (*I use/carry it quite often), but was never exactly "in love" with it. When the 10s went on sale, I bought one and immediately fell in love with it. For my medium-sized hands, the deployment and action are just about perfect. (*hence my "fidget spinner" post) The ergonomics are great for me, and the 10 feels "locked" in my hand while I'm using it. As you mentioned, it is also quite the attractive folder...which isn't a necessity for me, but is definitely a plus.


As far as the $500-$1500 "overbuilt folder" thing, that concept is lost on me. I don't judge or question anyone else in regard to their love of those blades..."To each his own." But for me, if I need an overbuilt knife, it'll be a bomb-proof fixie in something like 1095, 5160, INFI, or the like.

Your mileage may vary...
 
Midterm comment :
I was hoping that AD-15 is better/more admired
but looks I was mislead by myself

Good to be a BF member :^D
 
Have both and only carry the AD15. I much prefer the pointier tip. Other preferences for me over the AD10 are the one handed/quicker closing, clip, and slightly smaller size.
Agreed on all things mentioned except quickness of closing. I think more people can operate an AutoLAWKS faster than the Scorpion Lock. It's design does push for you to look at it when disengaging. Things like making sure the bottom of your palm isn't contacting the yoke when unlocking and creating resistance to lifting. Making sure you're at the sweet spot to lift the yoke high enough and resist the spring pressure. You will pinch the meat below your fingers often until you get used to operating the lock.

The Scorpion Lock is awesome but it does require more feeling around in function.
 
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