Hi Rob. Thank you for your kind words. I have been enjoying watching you videos as well. I agree with your thoughts on this knife. A good, maybe even great, general purpose knife. As I referred to it, a burly bushcrafter. Not a fine crafting tool for sure. I am hoping to get one in Magnacut when they become available. Thanks for sharing
I picked one of these up a few months back, and I love it. I wanted to get it in magnacut, but I was never able to find them in stock, but it is what it is; the aus10 version is still really nice. I think calling it a middle ground in-between the master hunter and the SRK is pretty accurate. I did end up putting a convex edge on it, but that was just personal taste. The jimping is definitely worthless, though; I'm honestly not sure what the plan was there, since it offers next to no traction. All in all, it's just a really nice camp and outdoor utility knife.
When I first saw this knife, immediately I saw the jimping and knew immediately its not for me because it would interfere with my ferro rod and fatwood scraping. Your review of the fat knobby handle is another feature that agree would be annoying with certain handling. I also would prefer it to be longer approaching 7 inches for better batoning and chopping. Too bad those short comings are too much for the price. As with coldsteel, I love the SRK. But the Recon tanto is even better due to the perfect length. Your great review helped confirm my initial thoughts on this knife. Thanks again for spreading your knowledge!
Very intriguing knife and company. Like you I have been a fan of Cold Steel for about 30 years going back to the Carbon V days. I still have my SRK, Recon Scout and Trail Master in Carbon V. I have a few Cold Steel knives in AUS-10 as well. My favorite is the Pendleton Hunter. I totally agree with your sentiment about the lack of exposed tang on the pommel of Cold Steels. That was one of the things that really attracted me to Fallkniven. I will definitely have to think about getting one of these if they are available in MagnaCut!
Hi Rob, nice knife as did everything you asked of it, so pretty good for an shtf situation , and if that'd all I had on me I'd be well happy, kind of, lol. I suppose a cup of tea and pocket full of Mars bars might make me feel better, anyway you gave it a fair test and you looked happy enough. Thanks for the video, stay safe mate, best wishe's to you and your's, Stuart UK.
Thanks for another great honest review Rob. Must admit I do like the look of the knife but I prefer a leather sheath every time, just a personal preference. I bought a Joker nomad that has gimping on the top although a lot smaller than on your Demko, but I find it useful on such a large knife as it becomes unwieldy if you don’t use thumb control.
A good review of the Demko Freereign 👍The Freereign reminds me of the Lionsteel T5, it's a little thick behind the edge, but that can be adjusted (a secondary convex edge is great on the T5).
Hi Rob, I have a challenge for you. Sometimes we end up in a situation (which is the basis of many bushcraft activities, lets face it), where we have to make a fire in total darkness (no torch allowed!). Assume you have a couple of rounds or something at hand, split them, make a featherstick or 2 and get it lit with a ferro rod. You might be surprised at how challenging it can be. You don't have to film it in the dark - just blindfold yourself, so we can also see :-). Will make for a good video. ATB!
I remember many years ago going camping in the forest with minimal kit , no shelter , sleeping bags etc Scott and I both woke up freezing at about 4am and we did exactly that but with head torches. I remember Mors kochanski saying that he was practicing skill blindfolded just in case he went blind, the bowdrill was his goal. Unless I totally lost my sight a blindfold wouldn't be a fair challenge, however doing it by moonlight or or a small torch is a fair challenge and something I've already done.
@@JohannSwart_JWS So you want me to split feather and light a fire completely blindfolded? I can probably do it but it isn't realistic with absolutely no light unless you were in a mine, first bloody style, even Rambo had matches!
@@RobEvansWoodsmanRambo was a wanker - had terrible taste in knives. You will either succeed, or not. In both cases something useful to know. So, since you seem to really not want to do it, I will. But I'll have to wait for one of my mates to be present. As a witness, and to possibly drive me to the emergency room...
There's a company selling 3V orange handled SRKs for $100 and Compact SRKs for $89 for a flash sale . ...Always happens when ive spent to much already on knives for the month . Thats a killer deal. I also love these designs, I plan on getting the compact sk5 eventually, I really like that Japanese carbon steel it takes a nice toothy edge.
@RobEvansWoodsman Probably cost ya more than the knife. I feel bad for Canadian and Aussie knife lovers , their shipping cost is horrible. Last time I shipped to Australia for a friend it cost me $70, and that was in 2015.
What Chicago screws did you use to reposition loop? I felt like mine was too loose at top and tightened it but now can hardly get knife out. I watched multiple videos and you are only one I saw that changed sheath like I want to. Thank you.
When the Sheath arrived it didn't have any Chicago bolts (it was second hand but unused) I found a set that fitted in my spares box so unfortunately I can't really help you. If you can get longer bolts you can use 1/2" rubber washers to help with adjustment.
You need to know what your knife on you can take before you are out there in a survival situation and could possibly fail on you or do ok. Better to test it now then later. 👍👍👍
Thank you for the review! just curious, what part of wales are you from? My grandparents were from Swansy, I haven’t heard the accent in a long time :)
@@Ashxn it's big! We spent most of our time in the woods near Bear Lake (Edson) nears Mors 's home we went to Edmonton one day and to the ski Resort another day, Jasper is ringing a bell but I can easily check. A very beautiful part of the world with a lot more "outdoors" than in the UK!!
this, the cold steel, F1and survival lillys apo-1 all look very similar, am assuming the F1 came first and the cold steel was inspired by it ... as was the apo-1, As survival lilly was a fallkniven fan girl until she wrecked her F1, and she came out with her survival knife which was a more robust design, i do wonder how they would compare side by side.
@@RobEvansWoodsman Yup .. S1 ... i'm running off memory of her 'testing' it ... a few years ago. Long ago i had a knock off, it looked stunning ... was like a razor, but i went to pry a stone up with it and it bent like a banana, LOL
@@neilcastell6951 I remember her whacking limpets off a rock with the protruding tang and she mashed up with handle, she also used the thong hole in a Garberg as a bowdrill divot and wrecked that handle, total abuse that any serious knife user would never do . I haven't watched anything since .
@@RobEvansWoodsman I did wonder what the company thought when they saw the video, .... if I was them I would have made a parody as a demonstration on how not to use a knife, lol
Hi Rob. Thank you for your kind words. I have been enjoying watching you videos as well. I agree with your thoughts on this knife. A good, maybe even great, general purpose knife. As I referred to it, a burly bushcrafter. Not a fine crafting tool for sure. I am hoping to get one in Magnacut when they become available. Thanks for sharing
I shall Also get one in Magnacut, from what I've seen on Demko's Instagram they are coming out with a slight clip point.
Just demonstrates why your my favourite reviewer for this type of gear - Genuine ,unbiased and totally honest reviews … another Great video 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Great review, very comprehensive and well presented.
You weren't joking about having some rocks!
Looks a great knife, I love the profile. 👍🏻
Glad to see you got the priorities right , always make time to make a brew. or two.
Great video Rob. A fair and honest review, AND it made me laugh at the end. Well done!.
I picked one of these up a few months back, and I love it. I wanted to get it in magnacut, but I was never able to find them in stock, but it is what it is; the aus10 version is still really nice. I think calling it a middle ground in-between the master hunter and the SRK is pretty accurate. I did end up putting a convex edge on it, but that was just personal taste. The jimping is definitely worthless, though; I'm honestly not sure what the plan was there, since it offers next to no traction.
All in all, it's just a really nice camp and outdoor utility knife.
I'd like one in Magnacut, maybe with a clip point just to be different from the other one.
Brilliant video. You make it look easy really good looking knife.
Thanks
When I first saw this knife, immediately I saw the jimping and knew immediately its not for me because it would interfere with my ferro rod and fatwood scraping. Your review of the fat knobby handle is another feature that agree would be annoying with certain handling. I also would prefer it to be longer approaching 7 inches for better batoning and chopping. Too bad those short comings are too much for the price. As with coldsteel, I love the SRK. But the Recon tanto is even better due to the perfect length. Your great review helped confirm my initial thoughts on this knife. Thanks again for spreading your knowledge!
Looking good Rob , Hope your well Bluebs4
All good here mate
Great review on what looks to be a great knife. Might have to look for one. Thanks
Good review Rob. I have been curious about that one. Will get myself one
Thankx Rob
Very intriguing knife and company. Like you I have been a fan of Cold Steel for about 30 years going back to the Carbon V days. I still have my SRK, Recon Scout and Trail Master in Carbon V. I have a few Cold Steel knives in AUS-10 as well. My favorite is the Pendleton Hunter. I totally agree with your sentiment about the lack of exposed tang on the pommel of Cold Steels. That was one of the things that really attracted me to Fallkniven. I will definitely have to think about getting one of these if they are available in MagnaCut!
You sound like a kindred spirit!
Love all 3. Super nice video Sir Rob!
Hi Rob, nice knife as did everything you asked of it, so pretty good for an shtf situation , and if that'd all I had on me I'd be well happy, kind of, lol. I suppose a cup of tea and pocket full of Mars bars might make me feel better, anyway you gave it a fair test and you looked happy enough. Thanks for the video, stay safe mate, best wishe's to you and your's, Stuart UK.
Cheers Stu, when the Magnacut version is available in the UK I'm having one, hopefully with a different colour handle.
👍Nice review again Rob. Nice knife, but a little pricey. The disassembleable sheath is also novel 😊
Nice review. You might enjoy a look at the Cold Steel 4 Max which is in the same family as these 3 but is a folder. It's surprisingly capable.
Thanks for another great honest review Rob. Must admit I do like the look of the knife but I prefer a leather sheath every time, just a personal preference. I bought a Joker nomad that has gimping on the top although a lot smaller than on your Demko, but I find it useful on such a large knife as it becomes unwieldy if you don’t use thumb control.
I really need to try a joker out.
A good review of the Demko Freereign 👍The Freereign reminds me of the Lionsteel T5, it's a little thick behind the edge, but that can be adjusted (a secondary convex edge is great on the T5).
I like the blade just as it is.
I would really like to hear your thoughts on the Lion steel t5. That would be an interesting comparison with this knife.
I've never had one , they look good.
I'm thinking about getting the MagnaCut version right now for everyday use
If my opinion is worth anything to you get it!
Hi Rob, I have a challenge for you. Sometimes we end up in a situation (which is the basis of many bushcraft activities, lets face it), where we have to make a fire in total darkness (no torch allowed!). Assume you have a couple of rounds or something at hand, split them, make a featherstick or 2 and get it lit with a ferro rod. You might be surprised at how challenging it can be. You don't have to film it in the dark - just blindfold yourself, so we can also see :-). Will make for a good video. ATB!
I remember many years ago going camping in the forest with minimal kit , no shelter , sleeping bags etc Scott and I both woke up freezing at about 4am and we did exactly that but with head torches.
I remember Mors kochanski saying that he was practicing skill blindfolded just in case he went blind, the bowdrill was his goal.
Unless I totally lost my sight a blindfold wouldn't be a fair challenge, however doing it by moonlight or or a small torch is a fair challenge and something I've already done.
Chicken!
@@RobEvansWoodsman
@@JohannSwart_JWS
So you want me to split feather and light a fire completely blindfolded? I can probably do it but it isn't realistic with absolutely no light unless you were in a mine, first bloody style, even Rambo had matches!
@@RobEvansWoodsmanRambo was a wanker - had terrible taste in knives. You will either succeed, or not. In both cases something useful to know. So, since you seem to really not want to do it, I will. But I'll have to wait for one of my mates to be present. As a witness, and to possibly drive me to the emergency room...
I'll do it in some form or another I just think it's a lot to ask being totally blindfolded through the whole process.
There's a company selling 3V orange handled SRKs for $100 and Compact SRKs for $89 for a flash sale . ...Always happens when ive spent to much already on knives for the month .
Thats a killer deal.
I also love these designs, I plan on getting the compact sk5 eventually, I really like that Japanese carbon steel it takes a nice toothy edge.
I don't think I can get a knife into the UK from overseas these days.
@RobEvansWoodsman Probably cost ya more than the knife. I feel bad for Canadian and Aussie knife lovers , their shipping cost is horrible.
Last time I shipped to Australia for a friend it cost me $70, and that was in 2015.
Seems like a nice knife…I’ll wait to see if a version comes out in Magnacut…
A different colour handle would be nice, burnt orange or black.
What Chicago screws did you use to reposition loop? I felt like mine was too loose at top and tightened it but now can hardly get knife out. I watched multiple videos and you are only one I saw that changed sheath like I want to. Thank you.
When the Sheath arrived it didn't have any Chicago bolts (it was second hand but unused) I found a set that fitted in my spares box so unfortunately I can't really help you. If you can get longer bolts you can use 1/2" rubber washers to help with adjustment.
@@RobEvansWoodsmanThank you. Just seeing that someone did this is a help. I will give that a try.
Thx for video
Just ordered one myself. Can’t wait to try it out. Can the exposed butt tang throw sparks? Is it at least equal to the srk in durability?
I think the protruding tang was rounded but I can't remember.
I'd say yes to durability but rubber handles don't
Nice one mate.....I agree about the trolls as well...they can all fk off!😂
I dont care for the knife, however, your opinions are appreciated
I would prefer a rob evans full tang pukko 😅
I don't mind the potty mouth, in fact I quite enjoy it. It's real life
I got two FTP'S in stock, if you want one email to robevs73@googlemail.com
You need to know what your knife on you can take before you are out there in a survival situation and could possibly fail on you or do ok. Better to test it now then later. 👍👍👍
Thank you for the review! just curious, what part of wales are you from? My grandparents were from Swansy, I haven’t heard the accent in a long time :)
I'm 12 miles west of Swansea, Llanelli Carmarthenshire, where are you from?
@@RobEvansWoodsman ugh I knew I spelt it wrong lol, I’m from Alberta, Canada :)
@@Ashxn my brother in law lives in Edmonton, I went out to to Alberta in 2006 to learn from Mors.
@@RobEvansWoodsman that’s awesome! That’s where my grandparents lived to lol how did you like Alberta?
@@Ashxn it's big!
We spent most of our time in the woods near Bear Lake (Edson) nears Mors 's home we went to Edmonton one day and to the ski Resort another day, Jasper is ringing a bell but I can easily check. A very beautiful part of the world with a lot more "outdoors" than in the UK!!
this, the cold steel, F1and survival lillys apo-1 all look very similar,
am assuming the F1 came first and the cold steel was inspired by it ... as was the apo-1,
As survival lilly was a fallkniven fan girl until she wrecked her F1, and she came out with her survival knife which was a more robust design, i do wonder how they would compare side by side.
They are all so similar but this one pips it for me mate and I think you mean the S1 not F1, F1 is considerably smaller than the others.
@@RobEvansWoodsman Yup .. S1 ... i'm running off memory of her 'testing' it ... a few years ago. Long ago i had a knock off, it looked stunning ... was like a razor, but i went to pry a stone up with it and it bent like a banana, LOL
@@neilcastell6951 I remember her whacking limpets off a rock with the protruding tang and she mashed up with handle, she also used the thong hole in a Garberg as a bowdrill divot and wrecked that handle, total abuse that any serious knife user would never do . I haven't watched anything since .
@@RobEvansWoodsman I did wonder what the company thought when they saw the video, .... if I was them I would have made a parody as a demonstration on how not to use a knife, lol
Good video Rob, but a shame about the wind noise.
It's a windy site and I'm no Ridley Scott.
This guy’s accent is like a combination between Jamaican, Irish, and Australian…wtf?
Rasta man, top of the morning to you cobber!🤣🤣🤣