Which came first, Reate Horizon or Freeman 451?

FlaMtnBkr

FlaMtnBkr

Joined
Oct 20, 2004
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Does anyone know which knife has been around longer? The Reate Horizon or The Freeman 451 folder? There are differences but it sure does look like one 'borrowed' from the other though it's not as bad as an exact copy or counterfeit so I personally don't feel too strongly one way or the other. Though if it was my design I would probably feel a bit differently.

Just curious if anyone knows anything about the design and if there might be another knife that shares the same basic profile. I believe Reate started out with the Horizon as their first knife as a new company but not sure when. And I don't know much about Freeman knives but it looks like both companies have been around for 2 or 3 years now.

I really like the design of the knife and I really like locks other than frame/liner locks so I will probably be trying out the Freeman at some point.

I really hope this can stay civil and I'm not trying to throw one company under the bus but I am curious since they are so similar.

Reate Horizon:
rehorizonc.jpg





Freeman 451:
Freeman_carbon_908727d0-9011-4cc7-a8d3-8898f49a3a15_1024x1024.jpg
 
I see the outline is somewhat similar. It is a fairly standard profile for a knife though. Personally I din't see any copying going on.

Besides there are some Kizer knives I think look like Hinderer ripoffs and no one seems bothered by that. I mean damn some of them look pretty close.
 
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Jeff used to design knives for Gerber until he started his own company Freeman Outdoor in Oregon.
The 451 was a fixed blade first and has been around for a while before the folder, which is pretty much based on the fixed design, was developed.
There are similarities but I wouldn't go so far as to draw a conclusion in regards to said similarities.
Both great knives in their own right.
 
I was one of the first people to get a Reate Horizon A, and that was in May of 2014, if that helps.

Both of these knives have very generic drop point profiles so it's a little bit of a stretch to say that either borrowed design elements from the other.
 
Yes, they aren't exactly the same and each have their own features, but the profile is pretty darn close to the same. Even the size and blade stock thickness is almost identical. Like I said, far from a copy but the likeness is pretty darn similar to be completely random without there being some aspect completely different in the profile or size. IMO.

I guess my take on it is different and I'm glad others don't see it and feel they are completely different designs that are just randomly 'similar'.

I do wish there was a higher end steel option ran a bit harder available on the Freeman, to go with the Ti handle option. Guess I shouldn't joke about knowing a place to get a M390 blade...
 
I see 2 different knives as well. The silhouette may look similar, but that's about the only similarity I see. That Freeman does look pretty awesome, and reasonable priced as well. Gonna have to pick one of those up :)
 
Just my opinion, but this is a bit of a stretch. They share a very crude/basic profile but "in my opinion" there's 0% chance that either one is a "copy" of the other.
 
I think they are both knives so yeah similar in that sense. But the designs couldn't be any farther apart. The horizon has been out longer if memory serves correct. But I don't think anyone copied a single thing off of each other.
 
I pity Chinese knifemakers for all the extra hoops they have to jump through because of their country of origin.
 
My dog has four legs and so does my computer desk. Who/which copied the other?

Other than the very generic drop point folding knife profile, I see NOTHING that the two knives resemble each other.
 
1. They are no where close enough to each other

2. Because with Jeff you get soooooo many options between steel and handle materials.

3. Made in the USA Jeff is hands down awesome to work with

4. Enjoy:

82635167c23ec7036d06bbe700d63365.jpg


68ebc0e1a6fd49ec395b61455200e21e.jpg


Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
 
Yo Mama said:
1. They are no where close enough to each other

2. Because with Jeff you get soooooo many options between steel and handle materials.

3. Made in the USA Jeff is hands down awesome to work with

4. Enjoy:

82635167c23ec7036d06bbe700d63365.jpg


68ebc0e1a6fd49ec395b61455200e21e.jpg


Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



Is yours an older 451 or newer?. I see some on his page with the more rounded edges on the handles which I prefer.
 
They both look like the classic Harsey Tactical Folder which has had incarnations by Lone Wolf, Fantoni and Spartan.
 
RamZar said:
They both look like the classic Harsey Tactical Folder which has had incarnations by Lone Wolf, Fantoni and Spartan.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Ram. This is a voice of reason.

I have a Horizon A, Horizon B and an early 451BLF and the knives feel totally different in hand and in pocket.
 
sharp_edge said:
My dog has four legs and so does my computer desk. Who/which copied the other?

Other than the very generic drop point folding knife profile, I see NOTHING that the two knives resemble each other.
Click to expand...

Your dog has four legs!?!?!?!!? I'm gonna need an address to send the cease and desist. My dogs have four legs too. And Im pretty sure I had them first. :D
 
...this thread is degenerating...

...but yes, similarities in design are bound to occur. Just how many differences can there be?
 
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