Demko FreeReign AUS10A VS Demko FreeReign Magnacut

[@Badger77722]

I don't know if I'm more impressed with the steel of these knives, or how hard you worked to show them off! That looked like a real workout! Thanks for your dedication!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yeah, don't think I will do this too often😅 Thanks for commenting

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, you are correct. There are a few differences between the two blades. Hopefully, I explained them well enough as I went on. Thanks for commenting

[@enwin1912]

A few years back, I copped a cold drenching on a hike & managed to get shelter up & a fire started with an AD20.5, which was in Aus10. Great gear and legendary blade designer.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

The AD20.5 is a classic. Thanks for commenting.

[@alphadawg81]

I made the same experience with AUS 10A. I've heard allot that its not such a great steel but i was positively surprised by it. But then, I still consider 14C28N the best steel for the money spend, any day.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I really like 14C28N steel as well. Great value. Thanks for commenting

[@bobbarker5884]

I agree. I would definitely buy one in 14C!

[@rnkmode1876]

If heat treat is done correctly AUS10A is more than good enough.

[@LoreTunderin]

Very impressive test results! Reminds me of an Architect Knives blade with a Fallkniven handle. Thank you for putting it through its paces for us.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@singingtoad]

Thanks for this awesome demonstration, I think you did a fair test of both knives. The MagnaCut version held up as I thought it would. I too would most likely purchase the premium version of this knife. 👍 Thanks for sharing, take care and Cheers!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I am happy with both steels but the MagnaCut is very impressive. Thanks for commenting Dave

[@jasonjohnson6344]

I had to go back and watch your first review of this knife to see what the sheath was like. Nice. The Magnacut is definitely a great steel but I still like the overall profile and belly on the other steel. That Tanto style in the other video was interesting and seemed to be more capable as a bushcrafting knife than I expected. Switching topics Mark, I wanted to catch you up on my experiments with soaking charcoal pellets in alcohol and lighter fluid. After soaking them in separate containers for a week, the results with alcohol was completely unacceptable. Surprisingly, so was the pellets soaked in lighter fluid. The lighter fluid soaked ones might be worth while if added to a base of already burned wood coals. I haven’t tried that yet. I can take a single regular wood pellet that has been soaked in alcohol for a week, stand it on its end and it will burn for a LONG time, like a candle. I’ve yet to actually try to burn the charcoal pellets in a pocket stove yet but I’m doubtful they’ll be easy to light or stay lit. Any experience from your viewers is sure welcome. I’m expecting that getting a good bed of regular pellet coals first and then adding the charcoal pellets will work but so far, it seems that sticking to regular wood pellets is much easier. Both your videos on this company’s knives were well done and fairly assessed. Thanks.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have not done much experimenting with alcohol and pellets yet as we are under a fire ban most days I go to the woods. It is interesting so I may pursue it at a later time. Thanks for commenting

[@PoetFisherman]

Very nice comparison test there. Thanks for the work. I have a MagnaCut Freeteign and love it. My favorite general purpose camp knife.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

It is still one of my all time favs as well. Thanks for commenting

[@dcentral]

I came across your vid doing more research on Demco Freereign after another youtuber did a bush-crafting review on LT Wright Genesis and favored the Demco which surprised me.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

That would not be a comparison I would make. I don't own an LT Wright yet but I can tell by its design it is more of a bushcraft knife than the FreReign. I would classify the FreeReign as more of a survival knife still able to be used for bushcraft if not as well as the Genisis. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Mark, I'm quite enamored with this design. Mr. Demko is very very good at it IMO !!!! I'd be stoked with the AUS10A version, but hey great to hear the Magnacut aint 2 or 3 X the price. I reckon it would be a good one to have a first crack with it. Free Reign is a good name for an all rounder, perhaps the king of such, though as a stainless lover ........ "free rain", tickles my fancy ; ) Anyway, as far as testing, no criticisms here, that's pretty much what I do, together with some splitting, i.e with and across the grain, in the backyard or car camping before taking 'em out on the trail, numbers are all very well, but....... realistically/ultimately, .... if it can't deal "well" with Aussie hardwoods, (in my case), ...... it's not coming out in an "unsupported" scenario ; ) Cheers Duke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Hey Duke. You have some hard wood I would not want to try and process with any tool. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Ha ha, yep, there's some tough ones alright, (some rippers for carving too). If I remember rightly a coupla African species are at the top of the tree ; ) In fairness, you get used to it and of course the smaller the piece, ..... the smaller the problem. I've never broken a blade yet, had a few bend very significantly, (splitting), though "lucky" they sprung back perfectly to fight another day ...... car camping ; )

[@charlesp9681]

I wound up purchasing the Demko in MagnaCut (all I could find was the blue handled one). You made a good point about it only being about ⅓ more than the one in AUS-10, but based on your review I feel I would have been happy with either. I know it was a workout, but lots of thanks for the time and effort you put into this. It certainly helped me!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have not had an issue but I have heard the Magnacut is more stain resistant than the AUS10 is. Thanks for commenting

[@redsorgum]

Both knives are cool. It looked to me that the Magnacut wet through the wood a little easier. We need to see more things made in North America. ✌️🇺🇸🇨🇦✌️

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Thanks for commenting

[@BeOpen-mg7tq]

Mark, I do not have a Magnacut knife. but an alternative to a belt grinder to crisp the spine you could try a diamond file. that may give you what you want without having to use something as aggressive as a belt grinder.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

A diamond file may be a better choice. Thanks for commenting

[@BeOpen-mg7tq]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft I hope that it gives you what you are wanting in an easy controllable method

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Quite Impressive Tests Shared Thanks For This Mark ! ATB T God Bless

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting Terry

[@Kado244]

You should do a review of the cold steel bushman. It's s sub 30$ usd knife that iv been likeing lately. It's not the prettiest thing but it's a useful tool for sure. I use it as more of a short machete. This works well because of its thin stock.just thought I'd make a suggestion and to maybe get your thoughts on it. The one i like is the bush bowie version.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have looked at the Bushman and may buy it yet. Kara. Thanks for commenting

[@mstafford368]

You make videos Thanks

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@mstafford368]

I meant to say GREAT videos. You have excellent comm skills.

[@granthughston8361]

Great video!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting

[@DIYVariety]

Very interesting, cheers. Nice test by the way

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting

[@LXT43]

What is the hardness of this Magnacut blade? I couldn't find any info but I'm guessing 62RC. The AUS10 is probably somewhere around 58RC. I would still choose Aus10 for a field knife. It's easier to re-sharpen. I can't imagine sharpening Magnacut or any other powder steels freehand in the middle of nowhere.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I will have to reach out to Demko to find that information but I expect it is pretty much what you guess is. Thanks for commenting

[@steamboatmodel]

I am not a fan of battening with a knife, I occasionally do it with a manchette (a proper thick one not one of the stamped ones), but I am impressed by the performance of both those knives. Have you ever used a maul or splitting wedges for processing wood?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Wedges yes but a maul only at home, not hiking. Thanks for commenting

[@thedriftingspore]

Looks good Mark, thanks for sharing.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Great knives is a little expensive. Thanks for commenting Steve

[@derekcroft2055]

Hi Mark 👋 I'm No Steel Expert As Your Aware But AUS 10 Steel (I Think) Is A Pretty Good Quality Steel Ain't It ?? I Know It's No 3V Or 1095 But Then Again,,,,,,It's Not Cheap Chinese Steel Either !!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, AUS10A is a good steel for sure. Thanks for commenting Derek

[@jimf1964]

I know you keep your knives sharp, but you do think it would take any special effort to sharpen it after a week out on a trip?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Magnacut is supposed to be easier to sharpen than many super steels ( I don't know as I have not truly dulled it yet). I carry a DC4 stone and small stop so I would hope I could do it with that. Thanks for commenting Jim

[@bobbarker5884]

I thought Aus10A has a higher toughness than Magnacut, no?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

AUS10A is similar to 440C and VG10 in terms of toughness and edge retention. Magnacut is better on both counts. Thanks for commenting

[@bobbarker5884]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Ohhh, Gotcha. Thanks. I knew it was an improved Aus8 but its hard to find stats on this steel. Well, for the price that's not bad then. It's a really nice knife anyway, and for a hair over $100! Also the Magnacut version is affordable too! I'm in for both 😁

[@richardhenry1969]

Im not sure having magnacut is worth the money. Corrosion resistance is not a issue for me. Personally i find $150 to much. I prefer carbon steel or 14c28n. Plus a SRK in 3v is cheaper then the freereign. Don't believe there is a better more affordable survival knife.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@sirsir9665]

Just ordered the Aus 10 version for $100

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Great buy. I am sure you will like it. Thanks for commenting

[@sirsir9665]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft yeah its a simple desgin but looks great and definitely seems reliable. It seems like a knife anyone would actually take with them, not leave at home in the safe lol

[@davidc.9933]

drop point and clip point aren't identical, but ok

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

You are correct. There a few differences between the blades on these two knives. I hope I did a better job explaining that as I went on in the video. Thanks for commenting

[@billvan5219]

Sorry about your shoulders... again 😅

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I appreciate that. My career was a bit hard on shoulders, knees, back, etc. Thanks for commenting

[@billvan5219]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft I'm sure your community appreciates your service and sacrifice. I do in my own distant way

[@deadvikingtrolls]

Rubber handle ruins such a good design.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@deadvikingtrolls]

@MarkYoungBushcraft Isn't it infuriating? The nearly perfect bushcraft knife with a handle that splits if you knick it with a baton.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

@@deadvikingtrolls That has not been my experience

[@deadvikingtrolls]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft I saw you did a good job staying on the blade. Have you hit the rubber?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

@@deadvikingtrolls After replying to your comment I went and looked at the two knives. Looks like I hit the blue version as it has some dirt on it at the top forward edge. No damage. I do agree it could happen as I have heard of it happening to Cold Steel SRKs. I have all of the Terava knives with rubber over molds and I have hit them more than a few times with no damage