Just got a new AD20.5 and apparently this is how they are packaging them now. Previously they came in a nice box with a clamshell zip pouch, Demko patch, cleaning cloth, etc. The knife itself is certainly the main thing, and it’s a great knife, but this is absolutely awful packaging IMO. It does still come with a spare left handed pocket clip in there, but that’s all. It’s a shame because though some people hate on the materials to cost ratio of these knives, it used to feel like a premium experience opening them up. This just feels ultra cheap until you get to the knife.
by RoyceRedd
8 Comments
I think most knives these days just come in a plain box with no pouch or case. Even Spyderco and Benchmade don’t come with a nice zip case like the demkos used to.
I have an older 20.5 and it came like that.
I bought an AD20.5 back in 2022, around when they first came out, and this is the packaging that it came in. I think I bought it from BHQ.
This has been their large pivot model packaging, don’t think it’s new at all.
This is what machine tools are packaged in. End mills, drills, taps etc. fits their style rather well.
Bought mine 2 years ago and they came that way.
I don’t think this is new packaging. I could be wrong since I just got my first demko a few weeks ago (AD20.5). But I swear I’ve seen this packaging in reviews etc, for years.
Have you had an AD20.5 before? Could it be because the AD20.5 are made in Taiwan, while AD20 is USA made?
AD20 are way more expensive and I wouldn’t be surprised if those come with a pouch etc. You usually see those things with higher end knives/models.
AD20.5 is meant to be the budget version made in Taiwan, so it would make sense that the packaging is the plastic boxes.
Also never judge a knife purely on material cost, that is not how knives are valued on the market. The raw material cost is one of the least influential aspects of what drives up “cost” of a knife. Where manufacturing takes place (like which country) matters the most. Then the size of production (Spyderco with many plants around the world vs Hinderer which is only manufactured in house by a small production team). Then the next cost is “if” everything is made in house, again like Hinderer makes everything, their own screws, etc literally everything. The next cost is the machining time. Finally it’s fit and finish and how much labor was needed by hand (hand rub satin blade finish, hand grinding, etc) this makes knives “mid-tech” because they require skilled labor to finish. All of this has way more influence on the final price tag, not the cost of raw materials.
Prioritizing the aesthetics of the packaging over function of the actual knife is wild to me. I wonder if the focus is related to all the unboxing videos that are popular. Premium packaging is such a waste on so many levels