Review of the FreeReign?

[jbmonkey]

Curiosity about those FreeReign handles. Do they loosen up all wiggly like SRK handles do sometimes? That seems to be the only reason I don't have an SRK, and it's what keeps me away from the FreeReign.

ive never had that happen on either knife and own a few of each, but I dont throw or abuse them..and ive seen that cause it.

I'd expect if ya have had a srk handle loosen up this will be the same for you.....its not a whole lot different in its build.

 

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

Curiosity about those FreeReign handles. Do they loosen up all wiggly like SRK handles do sometimes? That seems to be the only reason I don't have an SRK, and it's what keeps me away from the FreeReign.

also, I wonder if DEET will melt them?

 

[beeinak]

also, I wonder if DEET will melt them?

I use a lot of deet up here, and have carried many rubber handled knives with no issues. I have seen it screw up materials that it was sprayed on directly, but I don’t put deet on my palms and am careful where I apply it.

 

[Blues]

I have some fingerprints embedded in a SAK from DEET. Occurred during an outing in Alaska...where your mosquitoes are the size of vultures.

 

[Weiss]

ive never had that happen on either knife and own a few of each, but I dont throw or abuse them..and ive seen that cause it.

I'd expect if ya have had a srk handle loosen up this will be the same for you.....its not a whole lot different in its build.

Thanks. It's very unlikely I'd ever throw away my knife, but it's quite likely I'd baton with one. I've done that a lot, in fact, albeit mostly with a chopper, and some with a 4-Max Scout. I very much like the idea that a woods blade should hold up to such things in the rare event I might find it necessary, and in the not-so-rare event I'd simply find it fun.

As to DEET, I once melted the lens of my favorite flashlight with mosquito spray that I accidentally fogged as a kiddo while camping.

 

[jbmonkey]

Thanks. It's very unlikely I'd ever throw away my knife, but it's quite likely I'd baton with one. I've done that a lot, in fact, albeit mostly with a chopper, and some with a 4-Max Scout. I very much like the idea that a woods blade should hold up to such things in the rare event I might find it necessary, and in the not-so-rare event I'd simply find it fun.

As to DEET, I once melted the lens of my favorite flashlight with mosquito spray that I accidentally fogged as a kiddo while camping.

ya had a srk handle loosen up from batoning normal size wood for its size? not silly super size large logs as big as the the blade?

i would think it could handle that use.

 

[beeinak]

ya had a srk handle loosen up from batoning normal size wood for its size? not silly super size large logs as big as the the blade?

i would think it could handle that use.

Agreed. I have beat some SRK’s pretty hard and never had an issue at all. I also use my Terava’s hard. I have full confidence in Demko doing a great job with the handle.

 

[Weiss]

ya had a srk handle loosen up from batoning normal size wood for its size? not silly super size large logs as big as the the blade?

i would think it could handle that use.

No. As mentioned, I've not owned an SRK but have read and watched reviews from folks who have complained of loose or loosening handles. Some were the result of throwing, others from batoning. In the latter cases, I've not seen what size the chunks of wood were that were hammered through, but the prospect, anecdotal to be sure, remains somewhat a deterrent.

That said, I like beeinak's experience-based assertion of no problems.

 

[hunterjrg]

I recently picked up a black clip 3v FreeReign. Looks like a great blade and a nice winter carry. Looking forward to trying it out

 

[hunterjrg]

I got out for a walk on this cold windy day and opted for my 3v FreeReign. The handle was great in the cold and I liked the ergos. My only issue would be the sheath. It was a tight fit in the warm house but out in the cold I could not send it home without pulling my pants down. It is obnoxiously tight. Looks like I’ll be shopping for an alternative

 

[beeinak]

View attachment 3062245
I got out for a walk on this cold windy day and opted for my 3v FreeReign. The handle was great in the cold and I liked the ergos. My only issue would be the sheath. It was a tight fit in the warm house but out in the cold I could not send it home without pulling my pants down. It is obnoxiously tight. Looks like I’ll be shopping for an alternative

Just a thought since the sheaths are able to be taken apart- maybe a thin shim.

 

[hunterjrg]

Just a thought since the sheaths are able to be taken apart- maybe a thin shim.

It’s an option. I do have an email out to Brown for a quote tho. Might be the way to go

 

[JRRsix7]

View attachment 3062245
I got out for a walk on this cold windy day and opted for my 3v FreeReign. The handle was great in the cold and I liked the ergos. My only issue would be the sheath. It was a tight fit in the warm house but out in the cold I could not send it home without pulling my pants down. It is obnoxiously tight. Looks like I’ll be shopping for an alternative

Lovely photo!

 

[beeinak]

It’s an opinion. I do have an email out to Brown for a quote tho. Might be the way to go

He makes great sheaths for sure.
The only reason I mentioned a shim is because I was gapping some spark plugs earlier with flat feeler gauges.

 

[hunterjrg]

He makes great sheaths for sure.
The only reason I mentioned a shim is because I was gapping some spark plugs earlier with flat feeler gauges.

I reread with glasses on. It was meant to say option not opinion.

 

[Tritium]

My only issue would be the sheath. It was a tight fit in the warm house but out in the cold I could not send it home without pulling my pants down. It is obnoxiously tight. Looks like I’ll be shopping for an alternative

I have the same issue with my 3V FR. I was thinking about getting the Dremel on those lugs. Otherwise a leather sheath might be a good option.

David Brown does good work and I have several sheaths from him. If you end up getting one, please let us know how it works.

 

[beeinak]

I reread with glasses on. It was meant to say option not opinion.

I have the same issue with my 3V FR. I was thinking about getting the Dremel on those lugs. Otherwise a leather sheath might be a good option.

David Brown does good work and I have several sheaths from him. If you end up getting one, please let us know how it works.

I just double-checked my Freereign, and as Tritium mentions- it is the opposing lugs on the sheath that go over the slight lip of the handle that make it so snug (not the fitment against the blade). I like the way mine fits as I tend to carry blades tip up on bib straps in winter.

It seems a quick/careful session with an emory board on the lugs would loosen the grip and you could remove only as much as is needed. (I only mention emory board vs dremmel to avoid removing too much accidentally).

 

[hunterjrg]

I just double-checked my Freereign, and as Tritium mentions- it is the opposing lugs on the sheath that go over the slight lip of the handle that make it so snug (not the fitment against the blade). I like the way mine fits as I tend to carry blades tip up on bib straps in winter.

It seems a quick/careful session with an emory board on the lugs would loosen the grip and you could remove only as much as is needed. (I only mention emory board vs dremmel to avoid removing too much accidentally).

Thank you! I’ll look at doing this when my wrist/hand feels.

 

[philbrownell05]

Just got my FreeReign in 3V today and boy is it nice! It came super sharp, and the fit and finish is on par for the price you’re paying for this knife. First 3V knife and excited to use it in the woods to test it out and see how tough it is. I love the grippiness of the handle as well as the ergos. I personally like the secure lock-in to the sheath. It will almost assuredly loosen up little by little over time as you take the knife in and out. But it also assures that the knife isn’t coming out by accident either. All around well done Demko team for delivering a tank of a knife at a very reasonable price!

 

[beeinak]

Just got my FreeReign in 3V today and boy is it nice! It came super sharp, and the fit and finish is on par for the price you’re paying for this knife. First 3V knife and excited to use it in the woods to test it out and see how tough it is. I love the grippiness of the handle as well as the ergos. I personally like the secure lock-in to the sheath. It will almost assuredly loosen up little by little over time as you take the knife in and out. But it also assures that the knife isn’t coming out by accident either. All around well done Demko team for delivering a tank of a knife at a very reasonable price!

Congrats on getting your knife. I think you will be very pleased.

I carried mine last week tip-up on my snowmachine bibs while breaking trail. It was comforting knowing it would not come loose while horsing my machine around, shoveling, using chain saw, etc. It releases pretty easily with thumb pressure applied to the sheath on spine side. The grip is great! The more I use it, the more I appreciate it.