AD 20.5 Which blade style?

WValtakis said:
The thinner blade stock makes it a far more effective knife at knifey things too😁
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This is the kind of knifism that gives us all a bad name. Chubby knives need love too. And, you never know when you may have to bludgeon an assailant with the frame.

I think these look pretty cool, but I'm not giving up my AD-20 in CPM Cru-Wear. So there...take that, Mr. V. 🥳
 
I just skipped over a $149 G-Mascus Mini RSK in 20CV and a $169 Spyderco Mahogany Pakawood Endura in HAP40 for a $170 ghost G10 Guardian 3 in M390 as a father's day gift.

Now you guys are talking about plastic and AUS10 for $149 and I'm beginning to doubt my selection. That 20.5, a first production run in a steel that is likely to change looks very nice.
 
Just got my Sharktooth in, and I have to say, it's a fantastic little knife. I didn't get in on any of the online drops before BLADE, and since I didn't go, I didn't get one at retail price there either. I paid more on secondary here on the Exchange, and can say truthfully that I'm happy to have done so. First of all, it's really well designed. It's light, slim, and that usable blade shape is going to be great to use. It is JUST big enough to fit my hand (I wear an XL glove) in a comfortable four finger grip. Secondly, the fidgit factor of the Shark Lock is high. It's not unlike an Axis lock from Benchmade in that way. I am really happy with it. Lastly, a word on materials per price point. I have paid as much or more for knives in this size and similar materials that aren't considered top end. I paid something like $400 for a McGinnis Proline Mini. I LOVE that knife, and its blade of CPM-154 (iirc) is definitely not what someone would consider a super steel. The AUS10 from Taiwan that the Demko comes with is entirely adequate, and I'll just say that if it's as good as the AUS10 (also from Taiwan!!) that Cold Steel is running in their recent Voyagers, then I'm going to be entirely good with it. I have a Voyager in Large in that steel that has broken down a ton of boxes and handled it easily.

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me to hear that the same factory in Taiwan who builds CS knives, also builds these. I understand that some folks might measure the cost of these knives a little differently than I do, and that's completely fine. For me, I'm good with what I paid, and I'm looking forward to carrying it this weekend!

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I pre-ordered a clip point on KnifeCenter but still no word on delivery confirmation. Sounds like these are trickling out.
 

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Have both AD20.5 variants now...sharksfoot arrived today. On the clip point I had to loosen the pivot a tiny bit to smooth it out. On the sharksfoot I had to tighten it a tiny bit to remove some play. Other than that, only issue was the thumbstud was kind of loose on the clip point...I could spin it with my fingers. Took a while with some pliers and duct tape to be able to hold the other side tight enough (without marring it) to keep it from spinning and get it to tighten it up.

I had seen in an online review that the sharksfoot blade was a bit shorter than the clip, and wondered why. The clip is ~3 1/4" while the sharksfoot is ~ 3". Having the sharksfoot in hand now I can see why...the tip would hit the inside of the backspacer if it were any longer. There would either need to be more belly, or the blade would need to sit even higher when closed. As it is it sits higher than the clip already. I guess one side effect is that the sharksfoot would be "more" legal in an areas with a 3" limit, but depending how its measured, could still be considered a shade over 3".

These knives, along with the Mini Recon 1, may just put my 3 1/2" folders back in storage, or up for sale (already started selling some back-ups). Once I stopped having to go to RI (which has a 3" limit) for work, I branched out from the Grik I carried every day for years and got a Code 4, GoldenEye, AirLite, AD10, AD15, AD20, and large 21 Insingo (tried a small first but too small). I like them all, but at times they just seem too big, with the possible exception of the AirLite and Insingo.

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jmgruber said:
Is it really worth $75-125 over retail? Please help me understand.
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It was worth it to me to not wait for a drop to score one. There's ZERO judgement from me for those for whom those numbers don't make sense. I don't buy nearly as many knives as I used to (just takes something interesting to interest me!), so when something comes along that I really want, I'm a bit more open to doing what it takes to get it.
 
Edgeoflife said:
After reading Quiet Quiet post above and having my eyes peeled for a while, finally decided to pony up on the secondary and scored a shark foot 20.5. Looking forward to checking this shark lock out and happy to get the wharnie blade shape. :)
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I hope you'll enjoy it, my friend! I've had it in my pocket or in hand all weekend, I'm loving the fidgit nature of the lock for sure.
 
Quiet said:
It was worth it to me to not wait for a drop to score one. There's ZERO judgement from me for those for whom those numbers don't make sense. I don't buy nearly as many knives as I used to (just takes something interesting to interest me!), so when something comes along that I really want, I'm a bit more open to doing what it takes to get it.
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Same. Would get email notifications from dealers and they were gone in no time. And I've scored enough screaming deals over the years that I don't mind overpaying here and there for instant gratification.
 
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I really love my Sharksfoot AD20.5. I prefer wharnies/sheep’s foot in small blade that I use to break down boxes and such, and I have a clip point AD20 in 3V so I wanted some variety. The Shark lock is really fun and easy to use. FRN and Aus 10 doesn’t blow my nips off or anything but it’s good enough.
 
Quiet said:
I hope you'll enjoy it, my friend! I've had it in my pocket or in hand all weekend, I'm loving the fidgit nature of the lock for sure.
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I appreciate it brother and am looking forward to checking it out! Your post is what made me open the wallet a little further haha!

jmgruber said:
Quiet Quiet and jlauffer jlauffer - thanks for your replies. The YT reviews I have watched seem to appreciate the design over the materials. Does it come with a left hand clip?
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My reasons pretty much echo what these two gentleman said. I have been anticipating the AD20.5 since i heard about it and also anticipate the drops selling out quickly so whats a little extra to have one now if it makes you happy. The seller had it listed a good bit higher than retail but was willing to negotiate some and I can't just go get one from a dealer at the moment so I'm ok with it to get one in hand now. The materials don't get me excited but they are plenty adequate and Im really after checking out the innovative design and trying out the sharklock anyway. While a full size AD20 in nicer materials may be in the cards as well i know it's as bulky as the AD15 i own and while i don't mind carrying a brick sometimes i just know it wouldn't get carried as much as the 20.5 will potentially being much more EDC friendly both size and weight wise. As far as if its worth it well that just depends how much you want one I suppose and well i want one lol!
 
I want the shark foot in a better steel.
 
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