Demko Knives FREEREIGN Snap Review - MAGNACUT

Check out the pros and cons of the ‪@knifecenter‬ exclusive Freereign from Demko Knives in this hands-on review. Then subscribe to my channel if you find it useful, if not interesting :-).
#magnacut #fixedblades #knives

[@MrTnn26]

Strongarm the steel is made from 420hc not 1095

[@MitchBollig]

Oh thank you - I'll pin this comment. Though I've used it a fair bit, I hadn't yet done a full review of the Strongarm - I just assumed since it seems stronger than all get out and the fact that Gerber coated it that it was 1095. Thanks for stropping in to correct!

[@imusryde1243]

A very helpful knife review from a real world user perspective. Thank you and well done!

[@MitchBollig]

Hey thanks! And thanks for stropping by to check it out and let me know! ✌👊

[@pocketpriorities]

Great review thanks! Learned a lot. FYI KnifeCenter had it first but was also available from DLT 🤙

[@MitchBollig]

Hey thanks...yeah that's interesting that knifecenter listed it as a dealer exclusive and then DLT sells a batch 😉. Thanks for stropping in to check it out and comment! ✌️

[@turtletruth]

I would like to see the freereign knife with a 6-inch blade! (Similar in length as the SRK knife)

[@MitchBollig]

I see the Freereign as a platform, so maybe there's a chance. To some degree, Demko has already tested the blade steel waters (and done an amazing job, as the magnasluts have sold out nearly instantly as sites released them). ✌️

[@johnnyeas1431]

$200 for all that magnacut steel. Benchmade charges like $350 for a pocket knife with a tiny blade in magnacut. I also have both the t5 in niolox and the freereign in magnacut. I have to say, magnacut is lightyears better than niolox. I use wilson tennis grip tape for most of my knife handles. It's very thin and very comfortable.

[@MitchBollig]

I agree the price for that very-well-treated magnacut blade is good - perhaps I didn't give it as much credit as I could and should have. It actually did end up making my top 3 fixed blades for 2023 though, so fair play there. I bought some bank line to try as a wrap as it's thinner than paracord, but I like your idea of some bright tennis grip tape - Thank you for stropping by to check it out and comment! 👊✌

[@GlockFan19]

I’ve recently received my long awaited 3rd., or 4th., edition of this, OD Green, w/Magnacut. Thoroughly thrilled w/EVERYTHING about this knife. A new number one, equal to all my editions of the Osborne 940. When I can carry this EDC, I do. If i must go smaller, Osborne Carbon Fiber or the Bugout Carbon Fiber. I agree, at $200 this knife is an absolute steal!!

[@MitchBollig]

BTW, I'm a Glock fan too - I used to have a Glock 17, but traded for an HK 45 USP. ✌️ 👊

[@alexferrara9287]

Love both the TRM and Demko, two fixed blades I’m considering after I purchase a Tactical Pterodactyl. That said, the TRM has higher end furniture/finish (apocalyptic) and is completely made in the USA, hence the higher price tag. The Demko handle is manufactured in Taiwan, saving cost. That said, the Demko utilizes a higher end (more so superior) blade steel that’s made in the USA. Which imho, gives the Demko more value for your money, especially for a hard use knife. MagnaCut is a superior composition in more ways than not, especially with a PROPER heat treat. I’m sure Demko will release more custom versions down the road, so sit tight!

[@MitchBollig]

Hmph...you referring to the TRM Field Action fixie?...I don't think Three Rivers Manufacturing makes them any more (maybe you were gonna hit the secondary market). The only other thing I can think of is the TRC that was in the video - they have an apocalyptic finish. But TRC are made in Lithuania. All that said, with the makeshift paracord wrap, the Demko is an absolutely excellent blade - I took out the Lionsteel T5 last weekend to see how it would do over an hour of cutting/batoning/feathersticking/carving...and though it was more comfortable, it's blade geometry was way worse than the Demko so overall it was a letdown against the Demko. Yep - it's a reverse course for me and I do like the Demko better than the Lionsteel overall. I hope you are right and they produce more variations (and maybe knock down the handle texturing) because the blade is downright beast - no bones! Thanks for stropping in to check it out and comment!👊

[@d.c.917]

Hopefully soon we will see more lionsteel in magnacut. I have the M5 knives & tools exclusive which is sweet! I know they have a 6 inches arriving probably for shot show 2024... And maybe more exclusives. With demko you pay the design a bit to much in general.

[@MitchBollig]

Ooh...I shall keep an eye open. Thanks for dropping the note and for stropping in. 👊 ✌️

[@sirsir9665]

I like the Demko because it's not fancy looking so you are more likely to use it. I have the Lionsteel T5 and it looks so nice I don't want to use it. I like the Demko because it looks like a knife you would use and get a little rough with.

[@MitchBollig]

True true - I've had a chance to take both of them out for a trip since I made this vid, and with my paracord mod I way prefer the Demko. Its cutting geometry simply beat the Lionsteel, and it could handle the heavy work just as well. Thanks for stroppin in. 👊

[@mattrc77]

How did you feel about Demko's magnacut?

[@MitchBollig]

My personal experience was excellent. This did not chip or roll after batoning through wood (that oft happens with softer heat treats - see my BRK Bravo 1 review). Though magnacut seems to get some mixed results out in the wild, my first 3 experiences with it are great (Creely Blades Mako, this Demko, Hogue Deka). Thanks for stropping in to ask!✌️ 👊

[@greekveteran2715]

why on Earth they made such a knife and put a rubber handle on it?! That's the worst type of handle such a knife could have. I'd only accept this, as a Navy Seals knife, because they nend their knives to be able to stay in water. and still I don't know, if this rubber, would take sea water without getting degraded and still, you wouldn't be able to remove the sea water under the scales, so the steel would easily rust badly inside...and rust, is a knife killer as you all know..

[@MitchBollig]

Though I'm not sure full salt water use is part of the expected use case, I get your point on the rubber handle. I presume this blade is more for hunting and general camp use. That said, a big hunk of MagnaCut costs a lot, so a rubber handle was their way to keep costs down. Thanks for stropping by to check it out! ✌

[@coffeehunter8742]

I'd just sand down the checkering to the desired "feel", for the handle.

[@MitchBollig]

Yeah - I could absolutely do that to improve the feel. Honestly though, I'm liking the paracord wrap - gives kind of a contouring. Thanks for stropping by!

[@doc3356]

Could you just sand the tips of the handle material so it doesn't dig in??

[@MitchBollig]

Yeah...others have mentioned that too, and I probably would do it if I was gonna keep it for certain...but I'm still in a toss up. It's still a great blade at a very fair price. Thanks for stropping by to check it out and suggest the sanding. ✌️ 👊

[@johndanforth5382]

TRY USING BANK LINE FOR YOUR WRAP.

[@MitchBollig]

Absolutely agreed - another commenter had posted that suggestion too - great minds think alike 😉. I just need to buy me some now (it will also be better for some small knife lanyards too I'm thinking...) ✌️

[@johndanforth5382]

@@MitchBollig I USE BANK LINE FOR A FEW OF MY LANYARDS AS WELL. ANOTHER CHOICE IS THE THINNER I BELIEVE THE 150# PARA CORD. NOT SURE OF THE WEIGHT, BUT THAT WAY YOU CAN STILL GET THE COLORS.

[@rogergagne1026]

Try pulling the strands out of the paracord . I like that color of cord could you tell me it is or send a link

[@MitchBollig]

Hey thanks for stropping in with the inner core removal idea. I had considered pulling the core out of the paracord like you mention, but with this over-under twist method...it was still not gonna allow the button clasp. As for the cord color, I admit I have no idea - I bought a kit on Amazon that had 25 different colors/patterns for making bracelets, and this color looked cool with the Demko handle. 👊✌

[@snowman7161]

Hello, mine has a roman 2 stamped on the tang in the front? Yours don't, do you know why?

[@MitchBollig]

I don't know, but I might have a guess. I bought mine from Knifecenter, which was alleged to be exclusive. About a month later, both DLTtrading and Rivers Edge came out with them...so maybe guessing 2nd run. Would this jive with where you got yours?

[@snowman7161]

@MitchBollig I guess and hope you are right. I was afraid it was a factory 2nd. It also came without a box. The seller said they all came without a box. So far I know one of the only dealers in Europe that sells the magnacut version. For the knife self, it's great and no flaws or anything. Thanks for the reply 👍

[@RandomFlares]

If you're in a situation where you need to make feather sticks on the regular… Your hands are gonna need to toughen up anyway.

[@MitchBollig]

Absolutely! Thanks for stropping by to check it out. ✌👊

[@abnr1983]

You should sand down the textured sides of the grip. Also, if you ever get the Zero Tolerance ZT-006, please do a review. Thank you!

[@MitchBollig]

I appreciate you mentioning that - because I did think about sanding, but I'd never sanded rubber/silicone. Thinking about it now, I might first decide if I'm gonna sell it, in which case the sanding would bust the deal. The paracord cross wrap really did help. As for the ZT-006, I was going to get it just from first look, but then I realized it has that huge guard. I don't have anything against a guard in particular, but for my general outdoor use (camping, wood processing, food prep, rope/zip-tie cutting), the guard portion on the spine just gets in the way, so I would already be hamstrung to give it a fair review. Thanks for stropping in...and especially for the sanding down if I keep the FREEREIGN. ✌👊

[@abnr1983]

@@MitchBollig You know what? I was thinking exactly the same about the guard on the ZT-006. I wished they just did a half bottom guard. Maybe on a later version they could do that or they should offer a half guard since you can disassemble it anyway.

[@hummingmybizness]

I posted a comment on the ZT page for the ZT0006 last month to inquire about an aftermarket guard part, as I feel I would rather not have a guard along the spine for better general use ergonomics. ZT replied that they don't have any aftermarket plans yet, hopefully that changes over time or someone with a capable shop starts selling a third party mod.

[@abnr1983]

@@hummingmybizness I probably wouldn't stop at the guard. I would also want custom scales for the grip (different colors and/or patterns and shapes). Even the end cap which is removable can be switched with a different one where it could have a rounded longer piece on one side to have a pry bar-type of tool, or a bottle opener. They could make even more money selling those, or a third-party. And I would love to have a custom leather sheath for it also.

[@hummingmybizness]

Those are great ideas. I would like to see an end cap that had a raised striking surface, with the screw being recessed and protected. I feel the screw head is vulnerable to damage if the knife was used as a smashing tool on hard/jagged surfaces.

[@johnmadrigal7217]

What does the tang look like under all that rubber? Skeletonized? Solid? I keep hearing full tang around the web,but I can't find one pic of the tang.

[@MitchBollig]

Well...I'm not gonna cut my overmold rubber off, and I'm fresh out of x-ray machines, but I did slide a very weak and little magnet all over feeling for some voids, and I did not detect any. That said, I wouldn't be too panicked if there were a couple of hollows - go check out how much damage @Joe-X had to impart on the DBK bushcrafter in Elmax to get it to fail, and it has some hollow in the handle part of the tang. Thanks for stropping in to check it out and ask!✌️

[@johnmadrigal7217]

@@MitchBollig kzbin.info/www/bejne/rarTiI2ni92nsKc

[@coffeehunter8742]

& it's available in black, online, for 129.⁰⁰ with sheath.

[@MitchBollig]

I think that's for the AUS10A though - if you find the magnacut for that price, please post back and I'll save to my community page. Thanks! 👊

[@Jkim8901]

Is it full tang? Not sure if it was said during the video

[@MitchBollig]

It's a through tang, and I don't know how much of the handle is rubber overmold and how much is steel. My gut tells me most of it is metal and the rubber is only like 3 to 5mm. ✌️

[@markpettie681]

BTW, this looks like a much better handle than the SRK

[@MitchBollig]

I will admit to having never handled an SRK, but by the looks of it I would agree. The SRK is definitely a bit more square/rectangular on the top and bottom of the tang...and given both are made in Taiwan, it's a good bet the material is similar. If I keep this knife, one commenter mentioned it and I just might sand down the diamond texture a bit.🤘

[@DevinAkin]

They seem to have stop selling this knife.

[@MitchBollig]

You know...it's kinda looking that way. If KnifeCenter is gonna reload, they will usually leave the SKU on their site, but it's gone. As some others have pointed out, DLT also sold a batch of these, so hopefully it's not dead...

[@larrycarrillo1766]

You had me at hello. Now where do I buy one?

[@MitchBollig]

@larrycarrillo1766 I am not sure about this magnacut one...dlttrading.com had a batch after knifecenter.com, but those are gone too. Assuming they made money on these, they are likely to return, as this overall design literally fits the bill as an evergreen-all-arounder. It might carry a bit more price, but we'll have to see. Thanks for stropping in. ✌

[@bluegrasssurvival9423]

Was this knife discontinued in Magnacut?

[@MitchBollig]

I don't believe so, even though knifecenter has it "disappeared" from their site (which it commonly does for actual discontinued items). It also popped up on dlttrading and sold out. I just think the price+magnacut combo was a crazy good deal, and if anything, when the next batch is made and released, it wouldn't surprise me if the price notched up a tad. It also might just be that Demko has told them it will be awhile before they get another batch, and knifecenter can work on selling out the aus10a ones without the enticement/distraction of the magnaslut one on the web page. Thanks for stropping by. ✌️

[@bluegrasssurvival9423]

@@MitchBollig I had to do some hunting but I finally found one.

[@markpettie681]

Can this be carried scout style??

[@MitchBollig]

Natively with sheath there is no real scout carry. However, I've learned from Ethan Becker to cut a 2" length of mountain bike inner tube and shimmy it over the sheath (may have to stretch it a bit), which gives not only a good scout carry option, but you can tuck stuff into the front side of the inner tube opposite your belt (he puts in like a fire steel, fishing line/hooks, compass). Hope that helps!👊

[@turtletruth]

The Demko knife is discontinued!

[@MitchBollig]

Regarding that...though they are indicating discontinued, I've got a suspicion they will resurrect again (though perhaps at a slightly higher price point and/or with some mods). As good as this blade is, and as fast as they sell out...I just suspect, but don't have any inside information. As always, keep eyes peeled. 👊

[@jamesBGgarner]

Decent fixed blade

[@MitchBollig]

That's about where I'd put it - decent. ✌️

[@williamdabill]

Can it cut an egg?

[@MitchBollig]

I'll bet it can if the egg came from a FREEREIGN(GE) chicken :-).

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Use bankline instead.

[@MitchBollig]

Good call - I think bank line similar to Chris Reeve lanyard thickness would work well. Thanks for taking the time to check it out and comment! ✌️

[@johnsanford3596]

Not a fan of the overmold.

[@MitchBollig]

I can understand that. My complaint really isn't with the overmold material - Fallkniven, Cold Steel, Benchmade, Morakniv and others user rubber over many handles and the material grabs like this. In this case, I just think they over-cooked the texturing in light of how grippy the material already is. Thanks for stropping in to check it out!

[@outdoorssmith5454]

Go gut and process an animal and you would fall in love with it, it’s durable but also comfortable, repairable easily, absorbs shock and so on, there is a lot of reasons to like it too

[@johnsanford3596]

@@outdoorssmith5454 I know that overmolds have a lot of advantages, but having grown up in the desert Southwest, I also know that the desert heat, dryness and sun can and often does destroy them. As a result, I'm not a fan. I don't think they are BAD, hell, if someone gave me this knife I'd be tickled pink. Just not a fan.

[@satudave]

For 200$ seems decent. 🇺🇸😎🤘🤘

[@MitchBollig]

Yeah, decent. And I checked out for a blade blank of Magnaslut this size, and it's like $50, so as a value goes, it's a bombing deal in the end. 👊

[@garyfrombuffalo]

you wanna sell it?

[@MitchBollig]

I may want to. DM me on Instagram @MitchellBollig...and I have never sold a knife for profit - I actually discount. Thanks for asking!

[@MitchBollig]

@garyfrombuffalo I'm willing to sell it for $175 is you are interested, shipped FedEx in the USA. Find and DM me on Instagram @MitchellBollig if you are interested. ✌