For years, I've derided Cold Steel knives. There's a lot there to ridicule. Some of the knives CS has put out over the years have been stuff straight out of comic books, but every once in a while, they produce a real gem.

Their AD-10 folder, utilizing Andrew Demko's Trial lock is, I think, the best knife- folder or fixed blade- Cold Steel has ever produce. You're getting a Hell of a lot of knife for your 125 or 150 bucks.

The AD-10 is offered with a drop point blade or a tanto blade. The earliest examples were hollow ground, but very quickly, CS switched to a flat-ground saber style, although my late production tanto does seem to be hollow ground, and let me tell you- it is a fierce thing.

Shown with a Victorinox Tinker for scale, these folders when open are actually longer than the ESEE-4 fixed blade.



Here shown closed, the tanto blade is in a sheath I bought off of Etsy IIRC. It holds onto both sides of the thumb stud, so that when you pull it free from the sheath, the knife snaps open. This rig is just as fast as a switchblade. It's not practical to wear under a shirt, since pulling the knife from the sheath sets the blade and its sharp point to swinging. I sometimes put this rig around my neck when I'm taking out the trash after dark, and you could wear it over a shirt and under a winter coat and get it into action without slicing off one of your nipples.



The tanto blade design creates a secondary point, which makes this blade effective for slashing, and I imagine if a man put his mind to it, he could pierce the heaviest of leather coats with a downward stab, the knife held point-down like a dagger. The tanto point version of the AD-10 is a fearsome thing

Really, for a folding knife, you're not going to get a much more effective weapon than this. Oh, you can get a bigger folder (the CS 4-Max, also with the Triad lock, comes to mind), but it's probably not going to fit into your pocket.



S35VN steel for 125 to 150 bucks, probably the strongest lock ever in a folder, this is a Hell of a bargain. On both of these knives, I can open them and pull on the blade in any direction, and there is literally no play whatsoever. This is not an exaggeration. Zero play.

CS offers an economy version of the AD-10, the AD-10 Lite, with AUS-10 instead of S35VN, and FRN scales instead of G10- about 90 bucks. Knifeworks has a good selection here.

If you were to pick up one of these for light duty, or to carry as a defensive weapon, the AD-10 Lite would probably be just as good for you. The AD-10 and the AD-10 Lite both have the Triad lock.

This 4 minute video explains how the lock works. By the way, these folders are fully dis-assemblable with Torx bits.

Back around 2009 or so, a friend gifted me one of these Sig Tac knives:


It was the most expensive knife I'd owned up to that point, but in AUS-8 steel, is not super fancy compared to stuff I've owned since. Still, it was hollow ground, and that blade shape and profile made for a wicked cutter. Albert at Seattle Edge gave it the lightsaber treatment for me. That sucker was scary sharp. It fell out of my pocket one day at work and someone immediately snapped it up. I've missed it ever since. The AD10 in a tanto is almost the exact same geometry, just much thicker blade stock. I have to say I'm intrigued.

I'm with you on Cold Steel. Lynn Thompson is a total clown, and his demo videos and some of the things they've produced over the years are easy to laugh at. I think at the heart of all that, though, is a love of knives, and wanting to make knives people will use. Lately I've been coming across a number of reviews of various Cold Steel knives that are absolutely glowing, and the bottom line is that some of their offerings give you a lot of knife for the money. With Spyderco's prices going the way of Ruger's in recent years, I haven't been carrying or using mine as a result. Too expensive to replace. May very well snag a tanto AD10 based off your review.

Cold Steel has been my go to for many years. I’ve probably lost 5-6 tanto voyagers in different lengths in the last 10 years.
I’ll get one of these AD-10s in tanto in S35VN.
I like heavier knives with no serrations.
Thanks,
Billy

Been a big CS fan for a long time. I carry a Voyager daily.

The only Cold Steel product I have ever bought is those "plastic" training swords. I quote plastic because when they arrived I was shocked. My now grown Marine/soon to be firefighter son was into boy stuff and I saw the CS swords. One was a medieval knight version and one was a Roman sword. They were inexpensive and I didn't really read the description for detail. At the price point I was thinking little swords for play. Well, dang, the box arrived and out come these two 4 plus foot long swords that are stout as hell. Like put a hole through the wall stout. I could only look at my wife and say "sorry" as we both laughed at the ridiculousness of my mistake. He loved those swords and when he outgrew playing with them I took them and put them away. Some grandkid someday is getting swords to the consternation of their parents. lol

That being said, these knives intrigue me. That lock does seem hell for stout. I am not the biggest fan of the lockback regardless of strength, they just are slower to deploy. I know Benchmade is verboten now, but prior to their gun destruction I had/have a collection of probably 50-100 of them and am a rabid fan of the axis lock. It is fast to deploy and undeploy and from personal use I can say it is wicked strong as well.

I will probably pick up a pair of these.

Only Cold Steel knife I have is the AIR LITE, to carry when I'm running or hiking.

3.5" blade under 4oz. and thin which makes it easier to carry.

stock picture.

The Cold Steel AD-10 is one of the company's best legacy models. A few others deserve honorable-mention: the Recon 1, and the SR1.







All of these feature the triad lock, and are the perfect size/weight ratio for EDC.

I consider the SR1 Lite to be a best buy. When I bought mine in 2022, I paid 38 bucks. The street price is a bit more than that these days, but with the Triad lock, they're still a bargain.

I have a 4-Max scout. By far the beefiest folder I've ever owned.

I purchased an AD-10 with the Tanto blade a few days ago, mainly due to reading this thread. I agree that for the money the AD-10 is a great deal. I paid $104 on Amazon. It was well worth the price!

Dumb question: I've gone from Griptillian to the Spyderco Manix (and XL). Both are good and serve well. I like the non-liner locks - Axis type has been good. The latter is perceptively heavier and a bit wider - my only complaints if pressed.

I'm looking at the AD10 (Tri-Ad) and the Engage (Atlas) - prefer the drop point of the AD10 but curious about the Atlas lock in the Engage.

Any thing I would notice better about the AD10 or the Engage vs the Manix XL (XL seems about the right size comparison)?

Any thoughts about the AD10 vs Engage? And the Engage 3" vs 3.5"?

This would be just for EDC.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Dumb question: I've gone from Griptillian to the Spyderco Manix (and XL). Both are good and serve well. I like the non-liner locks - Axis type has been good. The latter is perceptively heavier and a bit wider - my only complaints if pressed.

I'm looking at the AD10 (Tri-Ad) and the Engage (Atlas) - prefer the drop point of the AD10 but curious about the Atlas lock in the Engage.

Any thing I would notice better about the AD10 or the Engage vs the Manix XL (XL seems about the right size comparison)?

Any thoughts about the AD10 vs Engage? And the Engage 3" vs 3.5"?

This would be just for EDC.

I don't have any experience with the Engage or the Atlas locking system. I do like the Tri-Ad lock though and think it may be more secure than the Atlas lock.

The AD-10 is considerably heavier and wider than a Griptilian and most likely the Manix XL if my recollection is accurate. Although in all honesty I don't currently have either one of those to compare to. Next week I will be getting a Spyderco Manix 2 XL with the Cruwear blade and Micarta scales. I will be able to compare to my AD-10 at that time. I don't think you could go wrong with either the AD-10 or the Engage.

I'm leaning toward the AD10 but would like to hear your comparison of it to the manix.

Im interested in the easier/faster opening of the AD10 and perhaps the better locking mechanism. But a little apprehensive about the size and weight.

ETA: The AD10 is a pretty hefty knife. Notable difference in weight vs the Manix XL. Seems made with precision and detail. This is my first knife from Taiwan (didn't really catch that before - all my knives are either from Japan or USA).

The AD10 seems to use a thicker blade. Perhaps that accounts for the weight. And also perhaps the slightly forward balance; the Manix XL seems to be more neutrally balanced (using the finger groove behind the coil as a pivot). The back lock seems like a heavier duty lock vs the Axis lock. Both seem good to me though. Sizes are very similar wrt OAL and blade length. I do like the thumb hump on the Manix.

While both are great with one handed opening, the Manix seems to be easier for one handed closing. At least I haven't figured out the technique for the AD10 yet.

I'll start carrying the AD10 and really put it to use. For some reason, I've been babying the Manix, resorting to other knives I may have handy instead of using the Manix. But the AD10 will be the first go-to now. Not sure why, the AD10 just seems begging to be used.

ETA2: The pocket clip us too tight for me. I can't even clip it to my pant pocket. I imagine that if I could, it wouldn't be quick and smooth to remove. I need to figure out how to loosen the clip before I can start carrying it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: konata88,

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:
Next week I will be getting a Spyderco Manix 2 XL with the Cruwear blade and Micarta scales. I will be able to compare to my AD-10 at that time.

I'm not really much of a knife person although I've carried once Webelos so my compare between the AD10 and the Manix XL is simple at best and likely wrong. I have my uneducated first impressions. So, still would be interested in your thoughts when you have both in hand.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:
Next week I will be getting a Spyderco Manix 2 XL with the Cruwear blade and Micarta scales. I will be able to compare to my AD-10 at that time.

I'm not really much of a knife person although I've carried once Webelos so my compare between the AD10 and the Manix XL is simple at best and likely wrong. I have my uneducated first impressions. So, still would be interested in your thoughts when you have both in hand.

The Manix should be here by the end of the week. I will share my thoughts on both then.

I got my Spydercon Manix 2 XL Cruwear/Micarta yesterday and here is my comparison review:

The weight on the Manix is 4.8 oz.
Handle width not including the clip is .455in.
Blade length is 3.855 in.
Cutting edge is 3.339 in.

The weight of the AD-10 is 7.1 oz.
Handle width not including the clip is .668 in.
Blade length is 3.585 in.
Cutting edge is 3.504 in.

The Manix feels a lot lighter in the pocket and carries better because it is 2.3 ounces lighter and is also less chunky in the pocket. You can open and close the Manix with one hand. You can do the same with the AD-10 but I don't and wouldn't recommend it. You can get cut fairly easily if you are not careful. With the Manix your fingers are not in the way of closing.

The Nanix uses CPM Cruwear for the blade which is a better steel than the S35VN on the AD-10. I don't think either one is a deal breaker. The locking system on the Manix utilizes a ball bearing lock, which is very strong but probably not as strong as the Tri-Ad lock on the AD-10, although that also shouldn't make a difference for normal and even some not so normal usage.

My Manix 2 XL Crrwear/Micarta cost me $225.00 and the Cold Steel AD-10 cost me $104.00. The Manix is like driving a Range Rover while the AD-10 is like driving a Land Cruiser. Either one will suit you well.

My initial impressions don't see too far off the mark then. I will say that I got the Manix during a seconds sale so in my case, the Manix was cheaper than the AD10.

The AD10 does seem more robustly built. And I'm still more apt to use it over the Manix - the Manix is more like a pocket queen, the AD10 is more like the range gun. Don't know why I feel this way.

Right now, the AD10 is the EDC and the Manix (small one, not the XL) is the backup in the cargo pocket. BTW, I had to take some pliers to the AD10 clip so that I can use it in my pocket.

Great price for AD15 at MidwayUSA if someone os interested

The full featured SR1 (S35VN, tri-lock and G10) is on sale at Midway for only $129.00 (plus free shipping) as of today. Full price $269.00 discounted most places at $199.00. I ordered the green tanto just now...