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Demko FreeReign Review
- Pros: High-quality construction from a respected knife maker. Available in two production versions and two blade styles to suit different preferences. Comfortable, grippy rubber handle suitable for tough tasks. Ambidextrous sheath with multiple mounting options. Thick spine and tough OS 10A steel can handle a variety of tasks. Reasonable price point compared to custom or mid-tech Demko knives.
- Cons: Tanto blade style may not be as versatile as the drop point for some users. OS 10A steel, while tough, is not a premium steel like Magnacut. Handle is not removable, limiting customization options. Sheath requires disassembly to switch between left and right-hand carry. Some may find the aggressive diamond texture of the handle too rough for extended use. Magnacut version is often sold out due to high demand, making it harder to acquire.
Today, I’m doing a Demko FreeReign review. You know who likes Demkos? I like them, and you know I like them. Andrew Demko, the legendary custom knife maker and designer, has been instrumental in Cold Steel's success with their impressive lineup, including the Espada XL, the AD15 with its innovative Scorpion Lock, and the 4Max which sounds a bit like a marital aid.
Along with his brother John, Andrew has been running Demko Knives for years, crafting customs, mid-techs, and small-batch productions. Recently, Demko has added Mike Wallace to their team, known for his work on the Cold Steel Bush Ranger and Colossus. To meet the growing demand, Demko has started outsourcing some productions, offering a lower price point for enthusiasts like us.
Key Takeaways
- Demko Knives, run by Andrew and John Demko, has been crafting impressive fixed blades and collaborating with Mike Wallace to meet growing demand.
- The Demko FreeReign is available in two production versions: Magnacut (USA-made) and OS 10A (Taiwan-made) with either Tanto or drop point blades.
- The FreeReign features a comfortable, diamond-textured rubber handle similar to the SRK, but with a blade about an inch shorter.
- American Tanto blades, with their angled Kissaki tip and straight fukara edge, are designed for chiseling, scraping, and “breaching,” while drop points offer more versatility.
- OS 10A steel is a low to mid-grade stainless, tougher than 440C but slightly less corrosion-resistant than VG10.
- The ambidextrous sheath, with its velcro snap and mounting options, allows you flexibility of carry options for your cute spring operator outfit.
- When compared to the SRK, Cold Steel Trail Master, and Fallkniven, the FreeReign holds its own as a solid, well-crafted fixed blade.
The Demko FreeReign Fixed Blade
Mike Wallace reached out to me to check out Demko's current production knives, specifically the FreeReign. And you know I’d never turn down doing a Demko FreeReign review. There are two production versions available:
- Demko FreeReign Magnacut: Produced in the USA, mostly sold out due to high demand. They're making more, but they sell out quickly.
- Demok FreeReign OS 10A: Made in Taiwan, available in both Tanto and drop point. You can find these directly on Demko's website.
Dimensions and Comparison to the SRK
If you're familiar with the Cold Steel SRK (Survival Rescue Knife), you've got a good reference point for the Demko FreeReign. The FreeReign's handle is proportionally similar to the SRK's, with that nice, grippy Molder rubber. However, the Demco's blade is about an inch shorter than the SRK's.
Now, let's talk about blade styles. The FreeReign comes in two flavors: Tanto and drop point. I know there's a whole world of guys out there living the "Tanto lifestyle" with their Tanto neck knives and Tanto boot knives. Heck, they probably wish they could fit a Tanto in their Crocs – once the technology exists.
But me? I'm more of a "choose the drop point every time" kind of guy. If there are two options, I'm going with the drop point. Why? Speaking only for myself, I haven't had to breach any doors or pierce any armor lately. The drop point just suits my needs better.
The SRK is a solid knife, and it comes in a few different variations. You can find them in different sizes, steels, and price ranges. It's a popular choice for a reason, and it's a great benchmark to compare the FreeReign against.
Tanto Blade History and Terminology
What we call the Tanto is mostly descriptive of the blade tip here in America, but traditionally, a Tanto was a small Japanese sword or fixed blade. The traditional usage of the word "Tanto" could have been any number of variations and blade tips; it never referred to the blade itself. The American Tanto tip comes from one of the big swords like a Katana, but not necessarily the small actual Tantos. The one thing that is consistent is that knife terminology changes, and what we think of as a Tanto is often just the American Tanto blade shape. And when we talk about an American Tanto we're talking about the Bob Lum and Cold Steel remixes of several types of fixed blades that changes the American meaning of the word tanto in the 1970s and 1980s.
On the American Tanto, the angled tip is the Kissaki, and the cutting edge is the fukara. On these there's a ridge and mostly a straight fukara for chiseling, scraping, breaching, and prying car hoods in Cold Steel internet videos. Since I generally use a real chisel or pry bar for things Tanto dudes use their knives for, I don't find a whole lot of use for these knives and prefer more of a rounded belly on the tip.
Steel and Handle
AUS10A is a low to mid-grade stainless steel, similar to VG10 but slightly less corrosion-resistant and tougher than 440C. The diamond-textured rubber handle evokes a pickup bumper or a chrome truck box back when pickups were utility vehicles, not luxury statements whose hoods came up to your nose and occupied every other space at Costco.
The handle is extremely comfortable, with a touch of aggressiveness necessary for an extreme grip style similar to the SRK. The handle is not removable, which isn't a problem unless you're like my brother, who makes his own Micarta. I have yet to destroy a knife handle or get a significant chunk out of one, as dumb as I am with them, but we'll see.
Ambidextrous Sheath and Mounting Options
The sheath is ambidextrous, but you have to take it apart, which is likely a one-time thing. It took me a little bit of time because I kept dropping the screws, trying to do it for the camera and keep it framed in the original video. The sheath has various loop areas for attaching to chest rigs or MOLLE packs, allowing you to create a cute setup for the operator lifestyle on your acreage. The velcro snap at the top provides a secure yet easy way to remove the knife from your belt before heading into Red Lobster for a nice dinner.
Knife Comparisons
SRK (Survival Rescue Knife)
These knives are available in different sizes and steels and cost between $30 and $100.
Cold Steel Trail Master
Now produced by GSM in higher-end steels, priced between $250 and $300. This one's pretty cool, and you don't need a review – just buy it.
Fallkniven
Shares similarities with Cold Steel designs, featuring a full convex grind. Well-made knives, but with a strong resemblance to Cold Steel's offerings. Everyone would be mad if it had a Gonzo name on the side.
Video Review
Conclusion
As you can see in this review, the Demko FreeReign is a wonderful knife, available in both Tanto and drop point variations. You can purchase these directly from Demko's website or through other retailers. I appreciate Demko Knives for sending these for review and for their patience, as I had worked on the video review for a couple of months now.
The FreeReign is a solid choice for a fixed-blade knife, whether you prefer the Tanto or drop-point version. With its comfortable handle, tough steel, and ambidextrous sheath, the FreeReign is ready to tackle a variety of tasks, even if you're as dumb with knives as I am.
Related: Demko AD20.5 review
