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Freeman 451 BLF - Under-appreciated

N

nails1908@gmail.com

Joined
Oct 6, 2015
Messages
128
I wanted something different, something that wouldn't completely break the bank but was off the beaten path and came with a good reputation. I came across this beast several times and literally could not find a single negative comment about it.

Finally got it in my hands a few days ago and wow am I impressed. This is without question the smoothest folder I've ever touched. Blade is 100% free falling, simple to deploy via light switch or push button method, as well as the thumb groove.

I've only handled a couple of button locks, but this seems extremely well done and I can't find any play in the blade no matter how hard I try. Only time will tell how it wears, but Jeff seems to really understand the engineering and mechanics behind a knife build.

And while I'm on the subject of Jeff I would be remiss not to mention the incredible customer service Freeman Outdoor gear provided. He answered all of my questions promptly and thorough.

I went with the Ti handle, D-2 blade with Black G-10 insert. Jeff didn't have a D-2 blade on Ti Handle so he upgraded me to S35vn at no charge. He also sent me a knife equipped with the Carbon Fiber insert (which I really wanted, but decided to save a couple bucks knowing I could order the CF insert at any time), as well as a spare Black G-10 insert. I can't say enough good things regarding my interaction with Jeff.

I've attached a few pictures of the knife, as well as a comparison pick with an XM-18, ZT 0909, Manix, and Slysz Bowie for size comp. You can see that this is a large knife.

I'll be happy to answer any question regarding the knife and would love to hear feedback from BF regarding the 451 BLF.

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I agree. The 451BLF is one of the unknown gems of the knife world and Jeff is awesome to deal with (still waiting for that 451 Mini though...).

I have one of his early 451's with the beveled edges and it's one of my favorite, large EDCs. Can't say enough good about it. If more people thought out of the box, like you did, these knives would be the rage!
 
For y'all that have the 451 - How long have you had it and what kind of use have you put it through? It seems as sturdy as a brick poo-house so I'm curious to know.
 
nails1908@gmail.com said:
For y'all that have the 451 - How long have you had it and what kind of use have you put it through? It seems as sturdy as a brick poo-house so I'm curious to know.
Click to expand...
I've had my 451 for a little over three years now. It's not an everyday carry for me as I usually need a smaller, lighter knife during the workweek. It's one of my favorite weekend knives though. As a result it's had wide duty from routine cutting to working in the yard. The knife feels today the same way it felt when new. Mine has the black PVD coated blade and it's picked up a few scuffs and there's a ding in the aluminum handle that I have no idea how it got there, but functionally its good to go. The D2 steel is easy to keep an edge on. I've never done more than touch it up on my Sharpmaker and run it over a strop. I may ship it off soon to be professionally sharpened because I suck at sharpening. I've got a couple of handle inserts that I bought along with the knife but I've never removed the canvas micarta inserts that came installed on it. This just feels like a knife that doesn't really need fashion, lol.

I like it enough to probably buy another one in Ti and S35VN someday!
 
Still one of my favorite knives. I carry it a bit less often than I want to, though, because it's the only knife I own that I will compulsively flip if I have it and I'm sitting down not doing much. Given that my fiancée would eventually murder me if I continually did that when we hang out I limit carry just a bit. ;)
 
Pomsbz said:
Is it supposed to be serrated? Or is that just the image?
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Those are striations machined into the blade. I'm not sure if they serve any purpose or if they are purely for aesthetics. I've seen similar things done on kitchen knives with the intent of whatever you are cutting sliding off the blade rather than sticking to it. I may shoot Jeff a quick email to find out.
 
nails1908@gmail.com said:
Those are striations machined into the blade. I'm not sure if they serve any purpose or if they are purely for aesthetics. I've seen similar things done on kitchen knives with the intent of whatever you are cutting sliding off the blade rather than sticking to it. I may shoot Jeff a quick email to find out.
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The edge itself looks like it follows the wave of the serrations though?
 
I’ve wanted this knife for a long time and have had it ready to go in the “Shopping Cart” several times. I just haven’t pulled the trigger yet due to its size. It’s just much bigger than I typically carry. If Jeff ever comes out with a smaller version, I would but one in an instant.
 
aleforme said:
I’ve wanted this knife for a long time and have had it ready to go in the “Shopping Cart” several times. I just haven’t pulled the trigger yet due to its size. It’s just much bigger than I typically carry. If Jeff ever comes out with a smaller version, I would but one in an instant.
Click to expand...


There's no doubt about it, it's large. I don't have a happy zone as far as folder size. I'll carry pretty much anything between 2.5" and 4".

With that being said, a 3" BLF from Jeff would be sick. I'd snatch one up in a heartbeat.

Apparently I read somewhere that he was working on something in the 3" range. Think it was a frame-lock with some sort of innovation that he wasn't willing to reveal at the time because it was patent sensitive.
 
nails1908@gmail.com said:
Those are striations machined into the blade. I'm not sure if they serve any purpose or if they are purely for aesthetics. I've seen similar things done on kitchen knives with the intent of whatever you are cutting sliding off the blade rather than sticking to it. I may shoot Jeff a quick email to find out.
Click to expand...

Hey everyone, thanks for the comments. As for the machining on the blade, that is just a product of the way I'm making those. Maybe less friction but really not sure and no way to truly and accurately measure that in my shop with the tools at my disposal... There is a lot of machining on both the perimeter and the tang to make both the lock and detent work correctly. So that means machining on both sides is needed. So I figured I would set it up so that I could better use the machine time vs. using "me" time to bevel. In manufacturing, once you have something fixtured and setup, it often makes more sense to use that set position to your advantage. You get better accuracy and repeatability that way. Plus, while the cnc is machining blades, I can be doing other hand work like assembling and sharpening. I think when I start doing higher production numbers, I may go another route for efficiency and cycle time reduction. Well, and being honest, I thought it looked cool and different than other blades out there :).
 
Always appreciated having a maker explain things to us, by the way you certainly have an extensive bio ! Your 6.5 451 chopper is on my radar and I have a folding 451 on the way.
 
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