Demko Carbon

[Robocop]

Holy smoke I just returned from vacation and was in the mountains of Tennessee. Of course I spent and entire day roaming around the Smokey Mountain Knife Works. Any knife person knows this store and they are a very fun way to kill some time if you are ever in the Gatlinburg area. I purchased several edc options in the 50 to 60 dollar range and had my sights set on a Benchmade 940 as one larger purchase.

I happened along a display case and saw a few Demko knives and had to try one. I have heard much of Demko and I really like the look of their simple design. The newest carbon fiber version is with 20CV steel and runs about 280 dollars. They had one left in stock and when the cashier showed it to me the tag on it showed a price of 185 dollars. They had this one priced wrong and did not have a 2nd one to compare it to.

I told the cashier that the carbon 20CV was much more expensive however he notified a manager to double check. Long story short the manager gave it to me at the listed cost. 100 dollar discount on a new Demko Carbon was something I could not pass up. Rock solid lock up with the shark lock and the steel is amazing. Very lightweight package and I really got lucky. Bad news is that I could not get both so for now the 940 will have to wait.

 

[Monocrom]

A mistake like that.... I wouldn't be able to pass it up either. Nice score!

 

[scalpel_ninja]

Holy smoke I just returned from vacation and was in the mountains of Tennessee. Of course I spent and entire day roaming around the Smokey Mountain Knife Works. Any knife person knows this store and they are a very fun way to kill some time if you are ever in the Gatlinburg area. I purchased several edc options in the 50 to 60 dollar range and had my sights set on a Benchmade 940 as one larger purchase.

I happened along a display case and saw a few Demko knives and had to try one. I have heard much of Demko and I really like the look of their simple design. The newest carbon fiber version is with 20CV steel and runs about 280 dollars. They had one left in stock and when the cashier showed it to me the tag on it showed a price of 185 dollars. They had this one priced wrong and did not have a 2nd one to compare it to.

I told the cashier that the carbon 20CV was much more expensive however he notified a manager to double check. Long story short the manager gave it to me at the listed cost. 100 dollar discount on a new Demko Carbon was something I could not pass up. Rock solid lock up with the shark lock and the steel is amazing. Very lightweight package and I really got lucky. Bad news is that I could not get both so for now the 940 will have to wait.

View attachment 69514

That's a great deal and great on management to honor the price! I've owned one of those and it's one of the best ambidextrous locks out there. I also have a 940. It's apples to oranges, but the 940 is a great pocket carry 4 inch knife.

 

[Robocop]

I visit this store every year and they are well known among the knife collectors. They give a great discount to police officers when buying in person and they have many brands to choose from. There is a huge difference between a 940 and this Demko however I have wanted a 940 for some time now. I just really like the look of that knife and the new copper scales with stonewash blade is beautiful. I will make the 940 my next purchase during my next visit.

The manager said he believed this Demko Carbon was mislabeled as the D2 version with G10 scales. He said that it would have scanned the lower price anyway however as I had warned the cashier as to the mistake he would gladly honor the price. Classy move on his part however I did blow several hundred more dollars there before I left.

I bought a CRKT Pilar III , Vosteed Raccoon, Kizer Mini Grouper, Spyderco Native 5, Manix 2 in S110V steel, Extra stones for my Work sharp Precision Pro, and of course a few flashlights. I could easily blow 5k in this place without blinking. I am thinking this 20CV steel will perform well however I have nothing else with this steel. Thus far S110V has been my favorite as far as edge retention goes and I am hoping this Demko will perform similarly. Anyway thanks for the input and I am off to break in a few new stones on some older blades.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

I visit this store every year and they are well known among the knife collectors. They give a great discount to police officers when buying in person and they have many brands to choose from. There is a huge difference between a 940 and this Demko however I have wanted a 940 for some time now. I just really like the look of that knife and the new copper scales with stonewash blade is beautiful. I will make the 940 my next purchase during my next visit.

The manager said he believed this Demko Carbon was mislabeled as the D2 version with G10 scales. He said that it would have scanned the lower price anyway however as I had warned the cashier as to the mistake he would gladly honor the price. Classy move on his part however I did blow several hundred more dollars there before I left.

I bought a CRKT Pilar III , Vosteed Raccoon, Kizer Mini Grouper, Spyderco Native 5, Manix 2 in S110V steel, Extra stones for my Work sharp Precision Pro, and of course a few flashlights. I could easily blow 5k in this place without blinking. I am thinking this 20CV steel will perform well however I have nothing else with this steel. Thus far S110V has been my favorite as far as edge retention goes and I am hoping this Demko will perform similarly. Anyway thanks for the input and I am off to break in a few new stones on some older blades.

The 20CV blades I have always sharpen easily and take a clean polished edge. It's pretty much M390. After stropping, I can pop hairs off my arm. The 940 I have is the S90V version. Definitely harder to sharpen, but does retain the edge better. I never pry with my blades (except with cheap ones) but I've heard S90V can chip easily.

 

[Robocop]

I think I will like the 20CV and always enjoy adding something new to my collection. The 940 I was looking at was also a Carbon Fiber with S90V. I also really liked an auto version in the copper color with Magnacut. I do pay more attention to the blade steel now as in the past I was not that picky. I just bought what I thought looked good and to my surprise nothing held an edge very long.

I was given a higher end folder as a gift and it had S110V blade steel. Once I actually used it I finally understood that there was a reason they cost more. That knife cut several rooms of carpet and would just not die. It kept going and going and I then started trying to buy more quality blades. Now I also learned the hard way while trying to re-sharpen that dang S110V that my equipment and skill level just did not work.

I have a friend with a wicked edge set up and he got it back to crazy sharp for me. I did not want to blow 700 dollars on a sharpener so I bought the Worksharp Precision Adjust Pro for 150 dollars. For my needs this works just fine and I have learned how to sharpen better over time.

 

[Monocrom]

Hate to say it, but you just pointed out why even though I do own several high-end folders, I typically reach for Basic steel Kershaw, Gerber, or CRKT models when it comes to EDC carry and use. They won't remotely hold their edges long enough compared to more Premium steel blades. But they are so ridiculously easy to re-sharpen when they do go dull. And, usually takes literally a couple of minutes at most.

Edit: Clarification.

 

[Robocop]

Monocrom it was a higher end folder that forced me to learn a better way to sharpen. I had a cheap Spyderco tri-angle sharpmaker and while this was good for touching up a blade it was tough on very dull blades. I spent an hour trying to get a tough steel blade sharp with zero results. Of course I finally let my friend with the very expensive Wicked Edge system try it and it was returned razor sharp.

I first bought a standard version of the Worksharp Precision Adjust for $59 and for the first time ever was able to sharpen almost anything to a razors edge. A guided rod with an adjustable fixed angle is the key and I used this set up for over one year. Then I bought the upgraded version for $159 and it is simply fantastic.

The 59 dollar system will work fine however the pro version gave me enough confidence that I never worry anymore about sharpening anything. Maybe try the lower cost version and see if it helps you. Knives today are just like flashlights I believe. You can really get some quality blades that years back would have been very expensive. Years back we had 40 dollar knives with average steel and there was no real middle ground. Either you carried a 40 dollar beater with 440 steel or had a 300 dollar custom in some exotic steel.

Today you can find many mid cost knives with what was years back considered a superior steel. You can find some pretty decent options today with CPM154, Cryo D2, ZDP-189, and even S30V. Look into the Worksharp if you want to try something decent as I have not seen anyone who tried it regret the purchase. Also like yourself I am a huge fan of Kershaw as you get a big bang with your buck on much of their stuff. Crkt is also another favorite and I have some of their stuff that is 20 years old. Most recently I am liking Kizer as a mid range affordable option and on the lower end Vosteed makes some decent EDC options.

If you want to try some very budget minded options look into Ganzo. They have a huge following on the knife forums and although they use lower quality steel they are really well built beater knives. I have many 30 dollar Ganzos that have never failed me yet however they do need to be sharpened often. They are starting to use some D2 which is a step up from their 440 stuff.

 

[Monocrom]

Had the very same experience with the Spyderco Sharpmaker 20 years ago when the first Gen. version came out. Great for touching up blades but not really for re-sharpening a dull blade back to life. Heck, I still have the thing.

Been looking into the Worksharp that you mentioned. I do have the hand-held version with built-in angles. I rely on the Lansky Deluxe Sharpening system for the tougher blades. Around since forever, works well, and technically portable.

I definitely remember the "Good Ole' days" where there was pretty much nothing in-between, when it came to knives. Glad those are over. Though a $40 knife back then got you a better steel than one typically does today. I guess D2 would be the exception. One issue with that though....

Imagine being assigned to a rough neighborhood. Rampant violent crime, drug use, etc. You suit up one day and show up. Overnight, all of a sudden; the streets are literally clean. No garbage. You don't get a single call over the radio for a violent crime. The local gangsters are dressed respectably in suits & ties. No loud, angry voices. No one is on a bad trip. The local "Working girls" are still on the corner.... However, they are covered up, have on less make-up, and are just waiting for the bus. Shockingly, children are playing outside.

You'd be confused at what you're seeing. Something is WAY the Hell wrong here. That's me with budget D2. Somehow overnight, a very expensive and premium Tool Steel that few custom knifemakers had the skill to turn into knives magically transformed into a budget option. How?! No way is this new Budget D2 the same thing guys like Bob Dozier created as custom knives. Don't know what that budget steel is, but since it appeared overnight; seriously doubt it's the same as the Premium version. Will admit, it's just as much of a chore to sharpen as real D2, even with an excellent sharpening system.

Ganzos do seem very popular. I have one I acquired as part of a package deal for a customized Cold Steel Tomahawk. Overall, quite good. Just wish they offered a few of their own original designs though.

 

[Robocop]

I believe the most valuable information I have learned from my knife hobby is that a good heat treat is far more important than the base metal. A super steel with a crappy heat treat will be garbage where as an average steel with a perfect heat treat can actually do very well. If you have a premium steel with a premium heat treat that is where the magic happens.

Two knives both in D2 can perform worlds different depending on the heat treatment. I really believe this is where the higher cost of custom makers is justified. I believe a smaller maker will pay far more attention to their heat treat and can dial in the perfect hardness for they steel they are using. Perhaps the budget steels today that were once very costly have not got the same level of attention with their heat treatments as they did in the past.

Monocrom You are right as it seems something is wrong with so many once premium budget steels showing up. Perhaps it is simply that more modern stuff is higher quality and pushed aside what was once considered premium steels. Regardless I have found many hidden gems in the knife world that perform fantastic and were all under 80 dollars.

I must say I am not a fan of the actual design styles of Spyderco however I do really like the way the company experiments with all kinds of steels. They are not afraid to try new things and their heat treat is usually spot on as well. I have several Spyderco knives and regardless of what type steel they are in they all perform at the max level for what that certain steel is capable of. To me it is interesting to learn more about different steels and once you experience a quality steel and can actually see the massive difference it is hard to not want the next greatest thing....it is however a very expensive addiction if you let it go to far.

 

[Monocrom]

Definitely agree with you regarding the expense involved. I love my Spydercos, and Sal himself is a great guy.

 

[iacchus]

One of the reasons we are seeing so much premium steel in budget options is the American investment in Chinese manufacturing.
American companies found it was cheaper to pay for tooling and tech in a Chinese factory to have the blades built there because overhead (labor, safety regs, all manner of shipping) is just so much cheaper in the long run. You send a guy or two over there quarterly to keep an eye on things and the bottom line looks all the better for it.

The Chinese factories now have the ability to pump the stuff out. The QC varies depending on price point and contract, of course.

One of the reasons you don't see things like Magnacut in those offerings is that it is still not being sold to the Chinese market.