New Cold Steel Atlas lock innovation for 2022! Stronger than the Tri-Ad lock???

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Jan 10, 2022
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There is a new video on a youtube channel where Stickman from Cold Steel presents a new knife with a new lock called "Atlas lock" on the AtA show 2022.
He says its supposed to be stonger then the Tri-Ad lock! It looks to function similarly to the shark lock. The name of the knife is Drifter. The video is called "The new Cold Steel drifter folding knife from Cold Steel!"
 
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Not crazy about the overall look of the knife, but yeah looks like a variation on the shark lock...for those that don't like the shark "fin". Liked how he said it would be available in 2.5", 3", and 3.5" models...wish they did that with more of their offerings.
 
Wow interesting.

Here come the $70 AD 20.5 equivalents
Yeah could be interesting if they made it with different materials and different prices. In the video they say s35vn so I guess they are aiming more for a higher price model atm with the Drifter like 200$ maybe.
But could be a great thing if this lock is really that good and they would use it for different knives
 
I'd very much like to see what Andrew Demko thinks of that. The timing of all of this makes me wonder if he had done enough work on the Shark Lock with Cold Steel that they had enough info to tweak it enough that it didn't violate the patent and now they're essentially just dropping a knockoff of it. Or if his previous agreement with them allows them to use a lock like this, with the provision of a name change.

This genuinely seems very cool and I'd love to be unreservedly excited about it, but I'd hate to see Demko get screwed.
 
Yeah could be interesting if they made it with different materials and different prices. In the video they say s35vn so I guess they are aiming more for a higher price model atm with the Drifter like 200$ maybe.
But could be a great thing if this lock is really that good and they would use it for different knives
I was thinking what'd it'd do to them at that price for the same materials. Air Lights with Aus 10a and g10 can be found at $53, the newer kris Ti Lite with grivory and Aus 10a for $65-80. If they undercut the AD20.5 like that, it'll be rough.

Bumping up the materials like you say would be interesting too though. The AD10 and AD15 (even the original, non lite version) sell cheaper than the 20.5.
 
Sort of a recessed fin? I'm also curious about what Demko has to say. I do think his production 20.5 is priced high.
 
I have an AD 20 and 20.5, but I’d definitely be in for these if the action is good. The 20.5 is well made, but Aus10 and grivory for $150 is steep. I’d be thrilled with the S35VN on the Drifter.
 
Seems interesting and I'm glad CS is still introducing new cool stuff, even if it may be things that were in the works before the sale.

I'm not sure what the point is in being stronger than the triad lock though, other than bragging rights.
 
Looking around online to see if I could find any more info, and found that CRKT already has a folder called Drifter. Seems odd that GSM/CS would use the same name.
 
I wonder if CS is gearing up to completely revamp their line-up around this new lock. Maybe they don't like paying royalties on the Tri-Ad lock?

Saying that it's stronger than the Tri-Ad lock sort of sounds to me like he's saying don't buy the Tri-Ad lock, buy this instead.
 
Looking around online to see if I could find any more info, and found that CRKT already has a folder called Drifter. Seems odd that GSM/CS would use the same name.
I thought that was an odd choice as well.

I'm looking forward to that video not being the only info out there about this lock (and knife).
 
I wonder if CS is gearing up to completely revamp their line-up around this new lock. Maybe they don't like paying royalties on the Tri-Ad lock?

Saying that it's stronger than the Tri-Ad lock sort of sounds to me like he's saying don't buy the Tri-Ad lock, buy this instead.
Isn't this also a Demko design?
 
Ah, okay -- you can see the Atlas Lock a bit better in the new product list. Looks a looot like a Shark Lock with a recessed "fin."
The 3" model in 4116 steel has the largest image available:
3-in-drifter-4116ss.jpg


Doesn't look like they're booting the Tri-Ad Lock from their lineup. The Verdict is a new model that uses the Tri-Ad.

verdict-aus10a.jpg
 
Looked like he was pushing back on it, not lifting up and back?
Yeah, I didn't spot any lifting. Disengaging the Shark Lock doesn't involve any lifting either, just straight back. (The "fin" does lift on open/close if you slow roll it and let it ride the tang.)
 
Ah, okay -- you can see the Atlas Lock a bit better in the new product list. Looks a looot like a Shark Lock with a recessed "fin."
The 3" model in 4116 steel has the largest image available:
3-in-drifter-4116ss.jpg


Doesn't look like they're booting the Tri-Ad Lock from their lineup. The Verdict is a new model that uses the Tri-Ad.

verdict-aus10a.jpg
Hmm. I don’t know. I’m having mixed feelings right now. The handle scales on the Drifter look a bit too busy. It looks more blocky than it needs to be and those three diagonal lines in the middle look off. This kinda screams more Kershaw than Cold Steel to me, design-wise at least.

That Verdict looks cooler. Reminds me of a hybrid between a Recon 1 and a Lawman. Those finger grooves look kinda iffy though.

Anyways, it’s good that they’re still making new products. Different colors are nice too. Look forward to it.
 
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