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Cold Steel AD-15 Voted Most Innovative New Knife 2019

December 12, 2019

Presented by: Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpeners

The Cold Steel AD-15 is the KnifeNews Readers’ Choice for Most Innovative New Knife 2019! Andrew Demko‘s Scorpion Lock platform outplayed other knives that pushed boundaries this year, including the Benchmade 591 Boost, CRKT XOC, Microtech Exocet, and Steel Will Tasso.

Cold Steel’s partnership with Andrew Demko has borne many fruit. The engineering know-how and drive for useful innovation that define Demko’s output resonated with Cold Steel’s drive for products that lived up to its hardcore brand image. For years now we’ve seen multiple excellent releases arise from this collaboration. But ever since the day Demko unveiled the Scorpion Lock, questions about if/when a production version would come out cropped up.

At last, in 2019, Cold Steel and Demko gave folks what they want. The Cold Steel AD-15 is a strikingly faithful reproduction of Demko’s original. Of course some material changes had to occur, but by and large this is a spot-on recreation of a sought-after knife. Cold Steel has been pushing the quality envelope too and made sure the AD-15 hit the market with all the fixings: top shelf fit and finish, premium steel, and dialed-in tolerances.

Demko notes that the Scorpion Lock is strong and ambidextrous. The fact that the lock is integrated into the knife in a more direct way means that more efficient blade width:handle ratios are possible. It is also, undeniably, fun to fidget with once you get the hang of the opening/closing motion. Like much of Demko’s work, the AD-15 appeals to the engineering nerd as much as the no-nonsense user. It serves as a reminded that innovation should go hand-in-hand with utility. “I am truly honored to be chosen, in fact  it’s hard to put into words how much this means to me,” Demko tells us. “Thank you so much for your support!”

Visit KnifeNews.com tomorrow to read about our sponsor Work Sharp’s own Knife of the Year, which will include tips on how to sharpen the knife to get the most performance out of it. On Monday, December 16th, we’ll announce the Readers’ Choice Award for Best Overall New for 2019 Lineup.

AWARDS SCHEDULE

Monday, December 2nd: Best New Tactical Fixed Blade 2019 (WINNER: Spyderco Respect)

Tuesday, December 3rd: Best New Fixed Blade for EDC 2019 (WINNER: Ferrum Forge Lackey)

Wednesday, December 4th: Best New Outdoors Fixed Blade 2019 (WINNER: ESEE Knives AGK)

Thursday, December 5th: Best Knife Upgrade 2019 (WINNER: Kershaw D2 Emerson Models)

Friday, December 6th: Best New Slipjoint/Non-Locking Knife 2019 (WINNER: Chris Reeve Knives Impinda)

Monday, December 9th: Best New High-End Knife 2019 (MSRP of $300 or more) (WINNER: Spyderco Paysan)

Tuesday, December 10th: Best New Value Folder 2019 (MSRP of $100 or less) (WINNER: Civivi Anthropos)

Wednesday, December 11th: Best New Folder 2019 (WINNER: Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight)

Thursday, December 12th: Most Innovative New Knife 2019 (WINNER: Cold Steel AD-15)

Friday, December 13th: Work Sharp Knife of the Year

Monday, December 16th: Best Overall New for 2019 Lineup

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