Which came first, Reate Horizon or Freeman 451?

[goldie]

if you look at freemans fixed blades from gerber, the design is kind of similar to his new folder.and those gerber designed knives were around before the horizon c. I highly doubt freeman was thinking horizon c when he came out with it.

 

[Yo Mama]

Is yours an older 451 or newer?. I see some on his page with the more rounded edges on the handles which I prefer.

Mine is older, when you only had a few options. Also the aluminum handles were dura coated, which flakes so Jeff had me send it back and instead anodized handles from then on I believe.

 

[JFreeman]

Mine is older, when you only had a few options. Also the aluminum handles were dura coated, which flakes so Jeff had me send it back and instead anodized handles from then on I believe.

So far looks like a bunch of well informed knife people.
Yes, I did design this knife as a fixed blade. Final form or design was completed in 2010. The initial versions were prototypes in 2005 but they didn't go to market. When I started my company, I made a similar version and called it the 451 fixed blade. The 451 BLF folder followed that.
I agree, there are bound to be similarities but I don't think there is any "borrowing" going on here. Just a couple similar solutions arrived at from different sides of the earth.
Yes, handle coating is hard anodized on the 6061 aluminum frame version. Also offered in 6Al-4V with tumbled and blasted finish.
Yes, the edge is concave (curves in) rather than convex (curves out or radiused edge). The concave is made with a 1/4" ball end mill chased around the profile. I initially did this for manufacturing purposes and found that I liked the grip better so I stuck with it.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

Seems to me that is the generic modern american folding knife shape...


I talked with Freeman at length about customizing and engraving a knife, he seemed like a nice business man

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Thanks for chiming in Mr Freeman. I'm glad you feel your design wasn't a pattern or starting point for another company's knife. Looks like I'm the only one that thinks the profile looks nearly identical except for a very slight difference at the butt.

Since you are here, do you think you will ever offer other steel options? Like M390 or other more carbide rich cutlery 'super' steel? I would love to have a Ti version with M390 or similar and run a little harder (like 62Hrc for M390) as I really like the way it sharpens, the aggressive edge, and the edge holding. A G10 handle option would be nice too but I realize that changes the construction a lot.

Which of the current steels do you feel holds an edge better? I have yet to try S35VN because I haven't been a big fan of S30V. I have tried D2 I liked but it was run a few points harder than 58-59 unless that's just for the S35VN?

Also, is your lock a pretty standard design button lock? Have you done any testing of it's strength and reliability?

I do hope to have one someday soon!

 

[Hackenslash]

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.

I'm going to need to find a three-legged dog so I can be certain he's mine and not really a clone...

 

[goldie]

Boy mr freeman it must take a lot of patience to take that long to bring this folder from concept to reality..next time I carry mine ill have a whole new outlook on it...