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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The PM2 is a better all around knife, hands down, no question. Better slicing/cutting grind, virtually all variants of the knife will have better steel than AUS-10, the handle is much more hand-filling for hard-cutting chores where you need to bear down on the knife, and the 20.5 is entirely too thin, and for larger hands, the handle's dimensions at the back are too small. As for fidgit factor, Spyderco's compression lock is more or less on par with the Shark lock.

The AD20.5 is a neat little fidget knife, but any comparison with a PM2 is going to be in the PM2's favor all day long.
 
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I've been in this situation before with other knives buy both worry about which one you prefer after you have both in front of you. You'll be at home so feel free to get weird with the knifes and talk to yourself you know... Works for me only judgment I get is my wife and dogs
 
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DocJekl said:
After 2 pages of this the choice is obvious, you have to get both.

In my case, my PM2 and Para 3's are slicier than my Demko's, and lighter and easier to carry, with better steel (S90V and S45VN). and they don't have bearings to get gummed up, They also flick open real fast with thumb or reverse flick. And, the Compression lock still lets you squeeze it to flick it open and closed like when holding the shark lock open on the Demko, making it fidget worthy as well. It's the best of all worlds.

If I was going to be prying on things and using the knife as a chisel, then I'm reaching for my Demko with Sharksfoot 3V blade.
Click to expand...

AD20.5 weighs 0.1 oz more than a Para3 and 0.25 oz less than a PM2.
 
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My issue with the 20.5 is the location of the shark lock release. The place I’d like to be able to place my thumb, the place that feels natural, is directly on the peak of it and I can’t imagine that being comfortable if I were to bare down on the knife for an extended amount of time. With XL glove size hands, wide palms and long fingers, it just doesn’t “fit” the way I’d like it to.
 
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The Ad20.5 is a fun knife. It swings open buttery smooth, and locks up with authority. The shark lock is very cool, and I always like seeing and playing with something new. AUS10 has been just dandy in my experience. It holds a good edge while still being easy to sharpen.
But, my own cons are: I find the FRN handle to be really aggressive on pockets. i also think the handle could be scaled down to about 75% of its size to be more pocket friendly. Over time, there may be some concern with gunk getting in the bearings, or the lock spring. the bearings and spring may also need to be replaced eventually.

The Spyderco has zero downsides for me, aside from the handle also being slightly larger than needed for the blade size. It runs super smooth on washers, the lock is pretty foolproof. the blade geometry also makes it a much better cutter overall. If I were only getting one, I'd get the Para hands down. But I still like the AD20.5 too.
 
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I'm loving my 20.5 with 3V and smooth titanium handles. I no longer own a pm2, cracked the tip off of one I used to own in s35vn (no fault of the knife, let a friend use this who proceeded to use the tip to do some pretty stupid prying before I could yell at him to stop!). The shark lock combined with a 3V blade is going to be hard to beat for a small knife that you'd like to use hard. As long as you're not going to be prying with the thing the pm2 is still a great knife, I no longer own one as I said but my para 3 in k390 is probably my most carried knife. The pm2 will certainly be a much better slicer.
 
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As far as the blade length to handle ratio that people complain about with the PM2, the ad20.5 is similar if less apparernt, but especially in the sharkfoot. The stupid backspacer makes it so the sharksfoot is shorter than the clip point. I hate backspacers to begin with, and see this as a design flaw.

Normally, when possible, I remove the backspacer on my knives.
 
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DocJekl said:
Sorry, my AD20.5 Ti versions feel heavier. Whoops.
EDIT - I think my CF version feels heavier too. I'll need to replace my broken postal scale and see...
Click to expand...

So I Weighed my Para Military 2 in S90V with G10 scales, my Demko AD20.5 with 3V drop point and smooth Ti scales, and my AD20.5 with 3V drop point and CF scales. The scale I used can only measure down to 0.1 ounce increments, or down to 1.0 gram increments.
EDIT - I did not weigh the Ti Sharkfoot or the CF Sharksfoot models.

PM2 G10 = 3.7 ounces (105 grams)
AD20.5 Ti = 4.3 ounces (122 grams) = 17 grams heavier than PM2
AD20,5 CF = 3.6 ounces (102 grams) = 3 grams lighter than PM2
 
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I bought the crucarta pm2 yesterday for my Halloween treat. No 20.5 here but I wouldn't be opposed to trying one. Though if I drop another $200+ on a folder a shaman or manix2 is in order.
 
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I recently got a red sharkfoot AD20.5 with 3V. I expect I will like the blade when I do some real cutting. The bevel is 16 degrees per side, which I like.

The action is rough. The only knives I have that are rougher are a $10 Frost and a $1.25 Dollar Tree. I have some $12 Chinese knives that are considerably smoother.

I love the grivory handles on my blue Bugouts, but the Shark scales are rougher and slightly unpleasant to the touch. A little more chamfering would have been nice. I may do that myself.

I do not like the Shark fin. My forefinger wants to treat it as a flipper tab, which halfway works. The dorsal fin was quite sharp out of the box. I spent about half an hour filing it down with a diamond rod and it no longer draws blood. Releasing the lock is not smooth; it scrapes at first, then catches slightly when you pull it up, and I have to pull up pretty hard to get the blade to drop.

The knife is fidgetable, but it is not nearly as satisfying as a dozen Benchmades I have with axis locks or five Spydercos I have with compression locks or two Civivi Cogents with button locks.

Judging from Youtube videos, disassembly, maintenance, and reassembly are probably easier with the AD20.5 than a PM2.

I do not have a PM2, but if they are anything like Para 3s, I think a PM2 would be a much more pleasant knife to live with than the AD20.5, at least until you need to take it apart.

But maybe my AD20.5 is just a lemon. Either that or it is way overpriced.
 
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Another Shepherd said:
I recently got a red sharkfoot AD20.5 with 3V. I expect I will like the blade when I do some real cutting. The bevel is 16 degrees per side, which I like.

The action is rough. The only knives I have that are rougher are a $10 Frost and a $1.25 Dollar Tree. I have some $12 Chinese knives that are considerably smoother.

I love the grivory handles on my blue Bugouts, but the Shark scales are rougher and slightly unpleasant to the touch. A little more chamfering would have been nice. I may do that myself.

I do not like the Shark fin. My forefinger wants to treat it as a flipper tab, which halfway works. The dorsal fin was quite sharp out of the box. I spent about half an hour filing it down with a diamond rod and it no longer draws blood. Releasing the lock is not smooth; it scrapes at first, then catches slightly when you pull it up, and I have to pull up pretty hard to get the blade to drop.

The knife is fidgetable, but it is not nearly as satisfying as a dozen Benchmades I have with axis locks or five Spydercos I have with compression locks or two Civivi Cogents with button locks.

Judging from Youtube videos, disassembly, maintenance, and reassembly are probably easier with the AD20.5 than a PM2.

I do not have a PM2, but if they are anything like Para 3s, I think a PM2 would be a much more pleasant knife to live with than the AD20.5, at least until you need to take it apart.

But maybe my AD20.5 is just a lemon. Either that or it is way overpriced.
Click to expand...
Definitely a lemon. I disliked the grivory scales, snd have customized nylon ones on there now. Mine has great action snd the lock is smooth.

Maybe try disassembling it and doing a thorough clean and oil it. Can't hurt.

20220831_153907.jpg20220815_131926.jpg
 
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K.O.D. said:
Definitely a lemon. I disliked the grivory scales, snd have customized nylon ones on there now. Mine has great action snd the lock is smooth.

Maybe try disassembling it and doing a thorough clean and oil it. Can't hurt.
Click to expand...

Yes, I will do a CLA when I have time. Demko has a nice YouTube video about that.
 
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