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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Demko AD20: Share Your Images and Experience
- Thread starter Blues
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2016
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- 23,026
Just got one a couple days ago, and loving it so far. One thing I noticed that I really like compared to the AD15 is how the end of the handle is more curved instead of squared off. Makes a big difference when I reach into my pocket with the knife clipped...it's almost like the 20 is not even there, while the "corner" of the 15 always seems to catch my hand.
I love them. They are even better with micarta scales.
Knife Center has K110 versions of D2 steel AD20.5s in stock. I find the AUS10 steel to be good for common food prep and simple cutting tasks that I do. I am waiting for the D2 version to arrive in my mail. Does anyone have experience and knowledge of K110 (D2) steel.
All the micarta RGT scales at DLT trading are sold out but there are a few Karbadize micarta scales available at BHQ.
I notice the Karbadize scales have holes through them for the pins like the original scales and the RGT scales totally covers those non-screw holes leading me to believe that Karbadize scales may be thinner possibly as thin as the stock scales. Maybe someone can tell me before they arrive (I couldn't resist.)
I know from personal experience that RGT scales are slightly thicker than the stock scales and feel better when gripping. I know the denim (bluish dark grey with white specs after oil) and orange (burgundy red after oil) micarta (canvas ?) drastically change color when exposed to oil while the bone linen micarta (feels harder too) did not. I still like all of them.
Knife Center has K110 versions of D2 steel AD20.5s in stock. I find the AUS10 steel to be good for common food prep and simple cutting tasks that I do. I am waiting for the D2 version to arrive in my mail. Does anyone have experience and knowledge of K110 (D2) steel.
All the micarta RGT scales at DLT trading are sold out but there are a few Karbadize micarta scales available at BHQ.
I notice the Karbadize scales have holes through them for the pins like the original scales and the RGT scales totally covers those non-screw holes leading me to believe that Karbadize scales may be thinner possibly as thin as the stock scales. Maybe someone can tell me before they arrive (I couldn't resist.)
I know from personal experience that RGT scales are slightly thicker than the stock scales and feel better when gripping. I know the denim (bluish dark grey with white specs after oil) and orange (burgundy red after oil) micarta (canvas ?) drastically change color when exposed to oil while the bone linen micarta (feels harder too) did not. I still like all of them.
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I got the Karbadize natural tan canvas micarta scales today and they are obviously thinner than the RGT scales. One scale is slightly warped (curved inward lengthwise) That may not matter since they are very thin and should flex easily when snapping into place over the liners and screwed down.
The Karbadize scales I got from BHQ look like a clone of the original scales in regards to size (thickness) and should preserve the unique ultra thin profile of the knife. Although I paid about $6.00 ($75.00 vs 69.00 for RGT) more for the Karbadize they did not come with a back spacer.
I have read Karbadize sells various back spacers but I can not find it on the BHQ website and Karbadize does not seem to advertise the very real possibility that you may need one if your stock back spacer is not a good match in color for the scales. Karbadize back spacers don't seem to be readily available either. That is disappointing because it can present a surprise and unneeded hassle to customers who would have otherwise purchased everything needed in one order.
RGT includes a micarta replacement back spacer of the same handle color (without jimping) and no warping in the 4 out 4 scale sets I have handled.
RGT seems to have their own idea on how thick the AD20.5 handle should be and I like it.
I have not fitted the Karbadize scales yet. I predict despite the karbadize being micarta I prefer the thicker RGT scales. While I love the extra thin profile of AD20.5 I got over it real quick after gripping it with thicker RGT scales. The thicker grips feel better in the hand and provide a more secure grip without being too thick. I find the A20.5 also looks better with the thicker grips.
Don't get me wrong these Karbadize scales do look like a quality product and if you really want to keep your AD20.5 as thin as possible without dealing with girvory these could very well be the ticket to doing so. I will let you know how the installation goes when I get to it.
The Karbadize scales I got from BHQ look like a clone of the original scales in regards to size (thickness) and should preserve the unique ultra thin profile of the knife. Although I paid about $6.00 ($75.00 vs 69.00 for RGT) more for the Karbadize they did not come with a back spacer.
I have read Karbadize sells various back spacers but I can not find it on the BHQ website and Karbadize does not seem to advertise the very real possibility that you may need one if your stock back spacer is not a good match in color for the scales. Karbadize back spacers don't seem to be readily available either. That is disappointing because it can present a surprise and unneeded hassle to customers who would have otherwise purchased everything needed in one order.
RGT includes a micarta replacement back spacer of the same handle color (without jimping) and no warping in the 4 out 4 scale sets I have handled.
RGT seems to have their own idea on how thick the AD20.5 handle should be and I like it.
I have not fitted the Karbadize scales yet. I predict despite the karbadize being micarta I prefer the thicker RGT scales. While I love the extra thin profile of AD20.5 I got over it real quick after gripping it with thicker RGT scales. The thicker grips feel better in the hand and provide a more secure grip without being too thick. I find the A20.5 also looks better with the thicker grips.
Don't get me wrong these Karbadize scales do look like a quality product and if you really want to keep your AD20.5 as thin as possible without dealing with girvory these could very well be the ticket to doing so. I will let you know how the installation goes when I get to it.
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- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Messages
- 3,737
I have two in 3v, and orange g10 and a green g10. The orange is still NIB as I like it enough I feel I need a backup. They are great knives. Very well built and a lot of fun to use and flip open and shut. Definitely bulky in the pocket but that’s to be expected.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 1998
- Messages
- 46,538
I honestly don't notice the bulk...but I guess I'm used to carrying larger folders in general.
Very happy with the CPM Cru-Wear...as I would have been with 3v. Great knives.
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2019
- Messages
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A ‘catch-all’ ad20, ad20s, and ad20.5 thread would be interesting. Everyone coming together to share their pictures and experience of the same knife in various sizes and production.
I have put the Karbadize nartural tan micarta scales on and it does look better and feels different but it does not feel and look like a totally different knife.
I have to give credit to Demko for overall design. The textured grivory scales work great for this thin profile knife and I can't say I like the feel of the thin Karbadize micarta any better when the knife is kept in this thin flat profile.
I am not fond of the looks of the grey and other dull colored grivory scales. The brighter colored scales such as red, jade, and orange do not look bad at all. The black is not too bad either since it is semi gloss. Regardless of color all of the grivory scales are well designed and provide an astoundingly good grip.
The "earth" colored grivory scaled D10 AD20.5 advertised by Knifecenter looks more like olive drab (dull) instead of the brownish mustard pictured and the back spacer has odd contrast to the tan micarta Karbadize scales that do not come with a back spacer.
The extra thickness combined with micarta feel that RGT scales provide is what will make an AD20.5 look and feel like a totally different knife in my opinion.
In contrast the Karbadize scales look better than the stock grivory feel different but not better and leaves the Knife in it's stock thin flat profile which is why you don't wind up with a totally different look and feel that RGT scales provide. I do like my scales to come with a matching back spacer too.
Karbadize scales fit easily and readily screw on. RGT scales are a more precise fit that requires some fiddling to get everything aligned before snapping into place and screwing on.
AD20.5 thumb studs are substantial, well made, fit very well (precise) and are high quality as well as removable if you want easier sharpening and totally unobstructed cutting (function over looks.) Thankfully Demko chose not to red lock tite them. They screw apart if you hold the other end opposite the screw slot in place with a vice grip while you unscrew with a thin flat head screw driver of proper width.
I have to give credit to Demko for overall design. The textured grivory scales work great for this thin profile knife and I can't say I like the feel of the thin Karbadize micarta any better when the knife is kept in this thin flat profile.
I am not fond of the looks of the grey and other dull colored grivory scales. The brighter colored scales such as red, jade, and orange do not look bad at all. The black is not too bad either since it is semi gloss. Regardless of color all of the grivory scales are well designed and provide an astoundingly good grip.
The "earth" colored grivory scaled D10 AD20.5 advertised by Knifecenter looks more like olive drab (dull) instead of the brownish mustard pictured and the back spacer has odd contrast to the tan micarta Karbadize scales that do not come with a back spacer.
The extra thickness combined with micarta feel that RGT scales provide is what will make an AD20.5 look and feel like a totally different knife in my opinion.
In contrast the Karbadize scales look better than the stock grivory feel different but not better and leaves the Knife in it's stock thin flat profile which is why you don't wind up with a totally different look and feel that RGT scales provide. I do like my scales to come with a matching back spacer too.
Karbadize scales fit easily and readily screw on. RGT scales are a more precise fit that requires some fiddling to get everything aligned before snapping into place and screwing on.
AD20.5 thumb studs are substantial, well made, fit very well (precise) and are high quality as well as removable if you want easier sharpening and totally unobstructed cutting (function over looks.) Thankfully Demko chose not to red lock tite them. They screw apart if you hold the other end opposite the screw slot in place with a vice grip while you unscrew with a thin flat head screw driver of proper width.
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I have seen another youtube video of this same thing but with a brand new knife. In fact it was posted on blade forums with the youtube link. Last I have heard was that Demko wanted the knife for inspection. None of the ones I have handled have any kind of lock rock. It does not seem to be a common problem and hopefully it's only an uncommon fluke.
I noticed Cold Steel has come out with their own version of this lock. I got an email from them bragging about this new "Atlas Lock" with a video link that showed 750 pounds of weight hanging off the handle. Included in the video were dynamic diagrams of the lock mechanism which works on the same principle as the Shark lock. I think the shark lock has much better ergonomics though.
I noticed Cold Steel has come out with their own version of this lock. I got an email from them bragging about this new "Atlas Lock" with a video link that showed 750 pounds of weight hanging off the handle. Included in the video were dynamic diagrams of the lock mechanism which works on the same principle as the Shark lock. I think the shark lock has much better ergonomics though.
