- Joined
- May 7, 2019
- Messages
- 50
Well, I got my third AD15 at last. This one is back from a warranty claim from Cold Steel. The first one had badly uneven edge grinds, the second one had the lock notch issue detailed here.
This one is apparently from the new production run with the tang being subject to additional hardening.
The edge grind is better than the first one but still not great. There’s a few mm of discrepancy in the grind line clearly visible below the thumb studs. Not a deal breaker because this isn’t a mid-tech or custom knife but it does seem that CS needs to take a closer look at their quality control on what’s meant to be a high profile knife for them. I've had similar issues recently from Hogue, so CS aren't the only ones to get this wrong on production knives. Pretty common I'd say.
AD15 vs. AD10
I got my first AD15 and my AD10 at about the same time. The AD10 felt like a better knife by far. It had the smoothest action I’ve ever felt on a Tri-Ad lock knife (in fact, it's about the smoothest action on any back lock I’ve owned). The blade grinds were great, there were no hot spots or unfinished areas anywhere on the knife. It looked and felt like it should have cost a lot more than it did.
The AD15 on the other is an enigma. Putting aside the lock notch issue and the uneven grinds, it’s still by no means the best design or execution of the concept.
YMMV but I don’t like:
1. The fully exposed tang when the blade is closed. I get that it’s a design feature but drop it onto a hard surface on that section and you may do some damage that could affect the action.
2. The sharp-ish edges all over the Scorpion Lock bar. That’s a sign of good machining but that’s exactly where the palm of the hand is going to exert pressure in use.
3. The sharp edges on the blade jimping. Again, that’s precise machining but it’s not good for actually using the knife.
4. The fact that the thumb stud has a sharp and uncomfortable edge right where my thumb pushes on it.
5. The pocket-ripping rough-patterned G10. Secure? Yes. Comfortable? No.
6. The way the Scorpion Lock will literally lock up the knife and prevent it from opening if you hold it wrong.
Does it suck?
Based on all that, you might think I hate this thing but the AD15 is still one hell of a knife, and it’s the one I’m keeping! The AD10 went to a new home a week or two back. This knife isn’t perfect, not even close, but few knives are.
Despite the issues, it just seems to add up to more than the sum of its parts. It looks amazing, and you have to respect Andrew Demko’s bold and innovative design approach, along with Cold Steel’s willingness to put it out there.
I feel like this knife takes a bit of work to get used to, but the more I get to grips with it (literally), the better it feels. The action is getting smoother by the hour.
I’ll round off the G10 and maybe take some sandpaper to the stud, jimping, and the lock bar. I might add a deep carry clip and dye the scales black as well. But basically this knife is going to be carried and used.
These days, the only other main knife I really carry regularly besides my Shiros is a Spyderco Tuff. So for the AD15 to get a place alongside those gems says a lot. There’s something about it that makes it quite special, and I’m damn glad I finally have it back
A little more attention to detail at the factory to get to the levels of my ex-AD10 and the AD15 would be bloody magic right out of the box.
This one is apparently from the new production run with the tang being subject to additional hardening.
The edge grind is better than the first one but still not great. There’s a few mm of discrepancy in the grind line clearly visible below the thumb studs. Not a deal breaker because this isn’t a mid-tech or custom knife but it does seem that CS needs to take a closer look at their quality control on what’s meant to be a high profile knife for them. I've had similar issues recently from Hogue, so CS aren't the only ones to get this wrong on production knives. Pretty common I'd say.
AD15 vs. AD10
I got my first AD15 and my AD10 at about the same time. The AD10 felt like a better knife by far. It had the smoothest action I’ve ever felt on a Tri-Ad lock knife (in fact, it's about the smoothest action on any back lock I’ve owned). The blade grinds were great, there were no hot spots or unfinished areas anywhere on the knife. It looked and felt like it should have cost a lot more than it did.
The AD15 on the other is an enigma. Putting aside the lock notch issue and the uneven grinds, it’s still by no means the best design or execution of the concept.
YMMV but I don’t like:
1. The fully exposed tang when the blade is closed. I get that it’s a design feature but drop it onto a hard surface on that section and you may do some damage that could affect the action.
2. The sharp-ish edges all over the Scorpion Lock bar. That’s a sign of good machining but that’s exactly where the palm of the hand is going to exert pressure in use.
3. The sharp edges on the blade jimping. Again, that’s precise machining but it’s not good for actually using the knife.
4. The fact that the thumb stud has a sharp and uncomfortable edge right where my thumb pushes on it.
5. The pocket-ripping rough-patterned G10. Secure? Yes. Comfortable? No.
6. The way the Scorpion Lock will literally lock up the knife and prevent it from opening if you hold it wrong.
Does it suck?
Based on all that, you might think I hate this thing but the AD15 is still one hell of a knife, and it’s the one I’m keeping! The AD10 went to a new home a week or two back. This knife isn’t perfect, not even close, but few knives are.
Despite the issues, it just seems to add up to more than the sum of its parts. It looks amazing, and you have to respect Andrew Demko’s bold and innovative design approach, along with Cold Steel’s willingness to put it out there.
I feel like this knife takes a bit of work to get used to, but the more I get to grips with it (literally), the better it feels. The action is getting smoother by the hour.
I’ll round off the G10 and maybe take some sandpaper to the stud, jimping, and the lock bar. I might add a deep carry clip and dye the scales black as well. But basically this knife is going to be carried and used.
These days, the only other main knife I really carry regularly besides my Shiros is a Spyderco Tuff. So for the AD15 to get a place alongside those gems says a lot. There’s something about it that makes it quite special, and I’m damn glad I finally have it back
A little more attention to detail at the factory to get to the levels of my ex-AD10 and the AD15 would be bloody magic right out of the box.
You're crazy ! 
