Demko Shark Cub Shark Lock Folding Knife, 20CV Clip Point, Aluminum Black, 096988
[Dem096988]

This is a very interesting knife and I have mixed feelings about it. So, a little about Demko Knives, the development of the Cub Shark, a discussion of the good, the bad, and my conclusions on the knife. [Sorry for the length.] Andrew and John Demko started about 25-30 years ago in Pennsylvania. They became well known for (1) overbuilt heavy use knives, (2) that still came down to a relatively keen edge, (3) had great handle ergonomics, and (4) had innovative locks. I’ve handled or owned the AD 10, 15, and 20 at one time or another, but while I found them well made and nice knives, they were just too big for my taste and I sold the ones I owned. But there was and is a strong market for those over built, beefy knives. Indeed, in many ways, Cold Steel’s partnership with them really moved Cold Steel’s brand along. A friend had an AD 20.5 and convinced me to carry it for a couple of weeks. The AD 20.5 was a little different. It was/is a smaller knife in comparison. It was/is a commercial success and it had this new feature (at least to me) called a “shark lock”, so I tried it. I thought the knife was pretty good, but not great. Why? The size was my more my taste, it felt good int he hand, the fit and finish was good, but I thought the blade stock was a little too thick (0.125”) for a small blade. For instance, the Mini Osborne is 0.104” and I think that stock is a little thick for such a narrow blade. I liked things about it – the small size, ergonomics, but it was a little thick in my view and the fact it had a bad factory edge made it worse. I also want to say I did not love the Shark Lock. It is really neat, it is really strong, it is very fidgety, but … it is sharp. The edges of it are sharp – very sharp – and the jimping on the lock is sharp. So when I opened it over and over, it hurt my finger a bit. Finally, and most importantly, I didn’t think the steel was great for the price – and yes, it was way to expensive. So along comes this knife - the Shark Cub. It is small – even smaller than the 20.5. It has a 2 ¾ ” blade, not a 3” blade like the 20.5. It is thinner at 0.09”. It is a standard thickness you would get on a Bugout, Spyderco Chaparral, or Delica . It has a great blade shape. It has a nice flat area that moves to a belly on this drop point version, and it comes to a very keen edge. It might be the sharpest knife I have gotten out of the box. It has really nice steel – CPM 20CV is a nice premium steel which I regard as good as M390, though I am not a metallurgist by any means. I will say the thumb studs can be in the path of a cut, but not like they are on let’s say the Civivi Pintail. But it is borderline a problem. But overall, I think the blade is not just good, but great with a little asterisk for the position of the studs. The handle ergonomics are fantastic. It is so comfortable in the hand. You can carry it finger forward in the choil or further back. The Demko’s know how to build a comfortable carry. It fits in the pocket really well too. I also like the aluminum scales. I am really really really impressed with the fit and finish. Well chamfered, the details are on point. Really good craftsmanship on mine and this one comes from the Taiwan factory – I assume the same factory that makes Cold Steel’s knives. All of these fit, finish and look details (is is gorgeous to be frank) are the highlight of the knife for me, despite the really good blade. the craftsmanship outshines the most basic feature of the knife, its great blade. The Shark Lock is a really solid lock. But the lock also begins the transition into the bads. So the lock is good, but it is bad too. The edges and jimping on the Shark Lock are still very sharp and hurt my finger. As I have used it more, my finger has toughened up, but even now it still gives me a bit of “shark bite” as I have heard some call it. I may smooth or round the edges off, but you shouldn’t have to do that on a $300 knife. The action isn’t great at all - it is disappointing. It runs on bearings, but it came out of the box sticky. I tuned the knife and made it a bit better, but it isn’t “wow.” You can finger flick it and even thumb flick it off the studs, but it will fail occasionally. I am not sure if the problem is the angles, it’s just that the washers aren’t fantastic, or it is just a reflection of the detent off a shark lock, but the action is disappointing. Although running on caged bearings, I have phosphor bronze washer knifes that are a not just quicker, but also smoother. If I compare this to the Spyderco Sage, Chaparral, the Para 3, or the Benchmade Mini Osborne (all basically the same size & mid range prices), for example, no comparison. I also have to point out it is still an expensive knife. Not as expensive as the AD 20.5 which comes in at $417 with 20CV steel and Carbon Fibre scales, but it is still expensive. But is it too expensive? It’s borderline – I go back and forth on that. I look at the Spyderco Chaparral with carbon fibre scales and CTS-XHP steel and I say “Sure 20CV may be a little better steel, but is $80 better for a knife that has a blade the same size (though is lightly smaller with the handle) but has a back lock?” It is a close call for me. I look to the Kizer Cormorant button lock with CPM 20CV and see it around the same price ($288), but the scales are titanium not aluminum. Sure it is a little apples to oranges, but still. I see the Sage 1 with Maxamet steel and G-10 sales at $290. A great knife that is still expensive but I think better value and way better action. Sure it is a back lock, but is a Shark Lock better? But then I look at the Mini Osborne with carbon fibre scales and S90V steel and see it is almost $400. Sure it is S90V, but is that a $100 difference? Probably not. So I have to say the price here just makes me a little uncomfortable. Is $300 worth it when the action on this is not stellar and it hurts my finger a bit when I actuate the Shark Lock (though admittedly this is becoming less of an issue with use)? I’m not sure. So I gave it 4 stars but that might be a tad generous or too hard on it, depending on your perspective of the value. I am glad I have the knife in my collection, but just as a good example of a Shark Lock that is likely the best one Demko knives has made and because of the fit, finish and beautiful look and craftmanship. It has a place in my collection, but man am I conflicted around it. I hope this gives you a few things to think about and helps you with your knife buying decision.