Recommendation? Demko AD20.5 vs Spyderco PM2

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Liosha

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Oct 29, 2022
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I got a question. There's Knife Center's 3V Demko 20.5, which I like and would like to get one a lot. BUT. There're lots of other great knives for this price range. And, in my opinion, the most striking example of this is Cru-wear PM2.
And I'm confused. In Demko the fidget-friendly locking mechanism attracts me. However, in PM2 you get a bigger blade and nice micarta handle. For the same price. And I would like to know your opinion, dear knife lovers, in this matter.
 
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marrenmiller said:
The PM2 is going to cut better, have better build quality, and have a better steel for typical knife use. Some might also appreciate that it's made in the US and has better aftermarket support.

Full disclosure: I generally love Spyderco knives and don't see any appeal in the AD 20.5.
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Cuts better probably yes. The blade shape/design is for slicing.

Have better build quality no sorry not a chance. Unfortunately the AD20.5 is another testament to exceptional foreign build quality.

A better steel maybe (PMs have been made in quite a few different steels) but the Demko AD20.5 in 3V and yes even D2 is no slouch.

Made in the US unfortunately the AD20.5 is not. I wonder if a US company would even tool up and offer the quality control needed for a brand new design and if so would it be priced out of the market. The huge mega factories in Taiwan will make anything you want if you pay for it. That is too bad. I wish the US could offer that but it's an unfortunate fact that we are not in a position to.

Better aftermarket support I would not choose one over the other. The AD20.5 has good amount of aftermarket support both by Demko (Springs, Scales, ti and stainless barrel spacers, even $10.00 white grivory scales) and other vendors who sell scales and ceramic bearing such as skiff. Paramilitary has been around and has a lot of aftermarket support.

The Demko Shark lock is MUCH STRONGER, easier to use, and better in my opinion. The action on an AD20.5 is much smoother. This requires very high precision. The AD20.5 is MUCH MORE FUN to play with. Although the Demko has no where near the ergos of a Spyderco it is still in most cases more than good enough to get most jobs done. Overall aside from the lock the Demko is a knife that leans toward the strong side.

I don't know why you didn't mention the obvious where Spyderco usually blows all the others out of the water and that is ergonomics. The is no question in my mind that the typical Spyderco ergonomics of the Paramilitary is head and shoulders above the old fashion traditional shape of the Demko AD20.5

As a user in most cases whether one likes the looks of a Spyderco or not he/she may very well have to admit that they would rather be holding and perhaps carrying a Spyderco such as the Paramilitary all day rather than a heavier and/or traditionally shaped knife like an AD20.5. Blade design on a lot of Spyderco knives will make frequent cutting less of a chore too.
 
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marrenmiller said:
The PM2 is going to cut better, have better build quality, and have a better steel for typical knife use. Some might also appreciate that it's made in the US and has better aftermarket support.

Full disclosure: I generally love Spyderco knives and don't see any appeal in the AD 20.5.
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The PM2 will be slicker because of its (fragile) blade shape. It will not have better build quality or better steel.

OP, either knife will be great. Consider the Hogue Deka in Magnacut as well.
 
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greater said:
Cuts better probably yes. The blade shape/design is for slicing.

Have better build quality no sorry not a chance. Unfortunately the AD20.5 is another testament to exceptional foreign build quality.

A better steel maybe (PMs have been made in quite a few different steels) but the Demko AD20.5 in 3V and yes even D2 is no slouch.

Made in the US unfortunately no. I wonder if a US company would even tool up and offer the quality control needed for a brand new design and if so would it be priced out of the market. The huge mega factories in Taiwan will make anything you want if you pay for it. That is too bad. I wish the US could offer that but it's an unfortunate fact that we are not in a position to.

Better aftermarket support I would not choose one over the other. The AD20.5 has good amount of aftermarket support both by Demko (Springs, Scales, ti and stainless barrel spacers, even $10.00 white grivory scales) and other vendors who sell scales and ceramic bearing such as skiff. Paramilitary has been around and has a lot of aftermarket support.

The Demko Shark lock is MUCH STRONGER, easier to use, and better in my opinion. The action on an AD20.5 is much smoother. This requires very high precision. The AD20.5 is MUCH MORE FUN to play with. Although the Demko has no where near the ergo of a Spyderco it is still in most cases more than good enough to get most jobs done. Overall aside from the lock the Demko is a knife that leans toward the strong side.

I don't know why you didn't mention the obvious where Spyderco usually blows all the others out of the water and that is ergonomics. The is no question in my mind that the typical Spyderco ergonomics of the Paramilitary is head and shoulders above the old fashion traditional shape of the heavier Demko AD20.5

As a user in most case whether one likes the looks of a Spyderco or not he/she may very well have to admit that they would rather be holding and perhaps carrying a Spyderco such as they Paramilitary all day rather than a heavier and/or traditionally shaped knife like an AD20.5. Blade design on a lot of Spyderco knives will make frequent cutting less of a chore too.
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The ergonomics will be similar between these 2. If you want superior ergonomics, get a Griptillian or Hogue Ritter. And I use a knife at work way more than most people.
 
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They're surprisingly different knives in hand. The AD 20.5 I found kind of underwhelming, to be completely honest. It feels very small in hand, almost uncomfortably so for me, but was on the heavy side for a smaller knife. The build quality was quite good and the Shark Lock is very, very cool, but unless you have to have a Demko or a Shark Lock knife, I would pass and get the PM2.
 
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greater said:
Cuts better probably yes. The blade shape/design is for slicing.

Have better build quality no sorry not a chance. Unfortunately the AD20.5 is another testament to exceptional foreign build quality.

A better steel maybe (PMs have been made in quite a few different steels) but the Demko AD20.5 in 3V and yes even D2 is no slouch.

Made in the US unfortunately no. I wonder if a US company would even tool up and offer the quality control needed for a brand new design and if so would it be priced out of the market. The huge mega factories in Taiwan will make anything you want if you pay for it. That is too bad. I wish the US could offer that but it's an unfortunate fact that we are not in a position to.

Better aftermarket support I would not choose one over the other. The AD20.5 has good amount of aftermarket support both by Demko (Springs, Scales, ti and stainless barrel spacers, even $10.00 white grivory scales) and other vendors who sell scales and ceramic bearing such as skiff. Paramilitary has been around and has a lot of aftermarket support.

The Demko Shark lock is MUCH STRONGER, easier to use, and better in my opinion. The action on an AD20.5 is much smoother. This requires very high precision. The AD20.5 is MUCH MORE FUN to play with. Although the Demko has no where near the ergos of a Spyderco it is still in most cases more than good enough to get most jobs done. Overall aside from the lock the Demko is a knife that leans toward the strong side.

I don't know why you didn't mention the obvious where Spyderco usually blows all the others out of the water and that is ergonomics. The is no question in my mind that the typical Spyderco ergonomics of the Paramilitary is head and shoulders above the old fashion traditional shape of the Demko AD20.5

As a user in most cases whether one likes the looks of a Spyderco or not he/she may very well have to admit that they would rather be holding and perhaps carrying a Spyderco such as the Paramilitary all day rather than a heavier and/or traditionally shaped knife like an AD20.5. Blade design on a lot of Spyderco knives will make frequent cutting less of a chore too.
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OP, ignore that part in bold, because it is simply not true at all. The rest is spot on.
I have owned 5 different PM2s at one point or another, and they were all exactly the same. Demko is no slouch either, but Spyderco is definitely a brand I would trust to get the grinds right on every knife (even bevels, very sharp, all around great QC).
IMO
Demko = fun, fidgety, knife with tons of aftermarket support. Strongest lock on the market.
PM2 = one of the very best knives ever made IMO. Better Ergos and steel choices, aftermarket options, etc.
Can’t really go wrong with either.
Gun to my head i am going with the PM2
 
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Ergonomics can be subjective too. Let's just say Spyderco ergonomics are unique not as unique now since so many entities have copied the shape. I would say these ergonomics play a big role in what has set Spydero apart and a lot of people find those ergonomics to be more appealing as a user.
 
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tony281sc2 said:
Demko = fun, fidgety, knife with tons of aftermarket support. Strongest lock on the market.
PM2 = one of the very best knives ever made IMO. Better Ergos and steel choices, aftermarket options, etc.
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Debatable which steel is better, 3V or Cruwear. For me the Demko has better ergos, in hard use the PM2's compression lock is a hot spot.

I'd go with the Demko.

Plus, I love my US-made knives, but I support Taiwan, too. My best Spydercos are made in Taiwan.
 
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gazz98 said:
I own a PM2. Great knife. I have held a Demko and it is thin. As a member of the big paw club, I personally like a thicker knife in my hand. I didn't use the Demko enough to determine build quality but I'd vote PM2 too.
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Do you really notice the difference in thickness? .06 of an inch?
 
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Insipid Moniker said:
Just looking at the specs, it seems like the difference between a 20.5 and Para 2 in handle thickness is more like 0.12.

I could very definitely feel the difference in handle thickness.
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I compared specs on bladehq and according to them, one is .46 and one is .40. I just found another Demko that is .38. So that one is .08 inches thinner.
 
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DMG said:
I compared specs on bladehq and according to them, one is .46 and one is .40. I just found another Demko that is .38. So that one is .08 inches thinner.
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Maybe it has to do with the shape of the handle also…? The PM2 does fill out the hand a bit better than the 20.5. I wear XL gloves, so both are good for me, but if my hands were a little bigger the 20.5 might feel too small.
 
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greater said:
Made in the US unfortunately the AD20.5 is not. I wonder if a US company would even tool up and offer the quality control needed for a brand new design and if so would it be priced out of the market. The huge mega factories in Taiwan will make anything you want if you pay for it. That is too bad. I wish the US could offer that but it's an unfortunate fact that we are not in a position to.
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Plenty of great knives are made in the USA. The PM2 is for example. And the cruwear version is actually CHEAPER than the AD20.5 in 3V. So let’s compare
Spyderco…
-USA made
-Micarta
-Better steel
-Better ergos, blade & handle
-Better price (vs the 3V Demko)

Demko…
It’s new
It’s Fun & Fidgety
Stronger lock
Cheap plastic handles
Comes in a couple different colors
2 different blade shapes

I’m not purposely shitting on the Demko, but if you ask me they are all priced about $50 too high. Cool knives, but on the same level as a PM2? No, sorry. Not a chance. (And I’m not even a huge Spyderco fan, I currently have 4.. and 1 Demko)
Edit to add…
I wish both companies would offer more blade shapes. A regular production tanto PM2 would sell, as would a 20.5 Bowie…
 
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BTW, OP, if you had said Demko 20.5 vs. Manix 2, I'd have picked the Manix 2.

i-Fc26C2r-X3.jpg
 
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