Great review and nicely said.
I likewise went to the Falken's for wet and cold weather performance when I go skiing. I expect an AT to perform in all terrain, which to me also includes all conditions. It can't pick and choose what conditions it wants to perform in. It doesn't help me if an AT tire is 10% better in dirt for example, when it won't do the dead in the cold.
My Falken's have been wearing very very well, which is to say they'll give me more than the life I will want from it. Considering the relative cost to the KO2's, I'm totally okay if it perhaps wears a little faster. I know the real trade is that it's a softer compound which to me means more traction in virtually all conditions. But not too soft that it shows any chunking/chipping. None at all to speak of.