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Comparison Console

Cold Steel AD-15 vs Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto

EDC Knives comparison. Compare price, weight, specifications, materials, and real-world use case.

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Command Brief

Recommended read

Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 31% gap from the closest alternative. Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto stands out as the cheapest option for retail price, with about a 14% gap from the closest alternative.

Decision Signals

What stands out

Cheapest

Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto stands out as the cheapest option for retail price, with about a 14% gap from the closest alternative.

Most expensive

Cold Steel AD-15 stands out as the most expensive option for retail price, with about a 16% gap from the closest alternative.

Lightest

Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 31% gap from the closest alternative.

Heaviest

Cold Steel AD-15 stands out as the heaviest option for weight, with about a 44% gap from the closest alternative.

Thinnest

Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto stands out as the thinnest option for blade thickness, with about a 13% gap from the closest alternative.

Thickest

Cold Steel AD-15 stands out as the thickest option for blade thickness, with about a 15% gap from the closest alternative.

Specification Profile

Relative dimensions at a glance

Each axis is normalized against the largest raw value among the products in this comparison. Farther outward means a larger value, not necessarily a better result. Axes with an unverified value are omitted.

Cold Steel AD-15 — Blade thickness: 3.8 mm (0.15 in)Cold Steel AD-15 — Weight: 176 g (6.21 oz)Cold Steel AD-15 — Retail price: US$160Cold Steel AD-15 — Blade length: 89 mm (3.50 in)Cold Steel AD-15 — Overall length: 216 mm (8.50 in)Cold Steel AD-15 — Closed length: 127 mm (5.00 in)Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto — Blade thickness: 3.3 mm (0.13 in)Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto — Weight: 122 g (4.30 oz)Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto — Retail price: US$138Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto — Blade length: 89 mm (3.50 in)Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto — Overall length: 216 mm (8.50 in)Cold Steel Code 4 Tanto — Closed length: 127 mm (5.00 in)Blade thicknessWeightRetail priceBlade lengthOverall lengthClosed length
Price & carry
Retail price
US$160Most expensive
US$138Cheapest
Weight
176 g (6.21 oz)Heaviest
122 g (4.30 oz)Lightest
Dimensions
Blade length
89 mm (3.50 in)
89 mm (3.50 in)
Overall length
216 mm (8.50 in)
216 mm (8.50 in)
Closed length
127 mm (5.00 in)
127 mm (5.00 in)
Blade thickness
3.8 mm (0.15 in)Thickest
3.3 mm (0.13 in)Thinnest
Materials & mechanism
Blade steel
CPM-S35VN (original AD-15) or AUS 10A (AD-15 Lite)
CPM S35VN stainless steel
Handle material
Black G-10 (original) or black injection-molded Griv-Ex (AD-15 Lite)
6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum
Finish
Satin (AD-15 Lite) or unspecified (original)
Satin
Lock type
Scorpion Lock (pin-reinforced back lock)
Lockback
Opening method
Manual, ambidextrous thumb studs
Thumb Stud
Clip type
Stainless steel pocket clip
Tip-up pocket clip
Use case profile
Best for
EDCTactical useHunting
Everyday carryStrengthPrecision cuttingPiercing
Not best for
Unknown
Unknown
Common praise
Strong and secure Scorpion Lock mechanismDurable blade steels (CPM-S35VN or AUS 10A)Comfortable and sturdy handle materialsGood balance of portability and strength
Strong lockupHigh build qualityComfortable gripLightweight yet strong handleGood balance of portability and performanceReliable locking systems
Common complaints
Higher price point for original AD-15AD-15 Lite uses less premium materials to reduce cost
Handle can be slipperyHandle thinness can cause soreness on long use

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