2016 Queen Dreams?

Cory Hess

Cory Hess

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Jul 1, 2014
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So, Queen has had this teaser on their homepage for the last week or so:

45e3be6d8e3c959bdcf99c966dd04ea1_0hxy_sd84.png


That jack looks mighty fine to me, and the jigged bone and EO notch are especially intriguing. Has anybody else been eagerly awaiting the 2016 catalog?

What are you hoping to see in there? Maybe a return of a certain pattern or handle material?

I'm hoping that they continue expanding the steel offerings on their Schatt & Morgan lines. In 2015 we saw D2 and CPM-154 on Schatts. I'm hoping for a more regular appearance of D2 on File & Wire knives.

I'm hoping that they keep the buffalo horn, as these knives came out beautifully. I'm also hoping that they find a way to expand their jigged bone options and bring back zebrawood, even if it's limited in scope. I'd really like to see some Winterbottom.

What are your thoughts?
 
My thoughts... below is my first Queen knife, and I admit, I was hyped up by accolades of quality(but that's how I was convinced to spend more money for one in the first place). There were several other issues with it as well.
20151230_150618_2.jpg

Too wavy of a grind for an $80 knife. I called them and asked what their grind process was, the guy said he would have to get back to me, I said,"OK, let me give you my email," to which he replied, "...um, actually, we aren't going to get back to you, you are asking ridiculous questions. If you want to know you will have to come tour the factory when we open it up once a year" He did offer to replace the knife, but for some reason I WANTED to be made happy with it instead. I have been restoring old slipjoints as a hobby for a small fee for the past 3 years and I had already fixed everything else with this one, but I wasn't about to use this one for my first re-grind on hardened steel. I sent it back to KSF and they were way more than accomodating, I didn't want to deal with Queen CS anymore. I also emailed their president, vice president, and production supervisor with the other issues prior to noticing the grind was so bad after sharpening, simply to notify them of the issues and express my dissatisfaction, and not a response from one of them. Yes, they are probably busy people, but then why list your emails on your website.

"Having the leading record"-No
"Beautiful Handles"-Absolutely. One of the most beautiful and well fitted sets of covers I have held.
"Steel Strength"-Yes, love the D2 on a slippie.
"Absolute Integrity"-Not so much.

I hope you all have better luck, and yes I know I'm picky but I also know I'm not the only one with these issues. There is even a particular retailer that has had so many issues with their QC that they had to establish a grading scale for which to sell Queen knives by. Needless to say, I'm not hoping for much in 2016 other than to hear that their consistency has skyrocketed, and then I'll make a wish list for 2017. Until then, those are my thoughts.
 
Interesting.

I really like D2 as well. Glad to hear that you've had good experiences with it. I've found that it holds an edge ridiculously well. It also forms a nice patina, yet I've never had any hint of rust on my D2 bladed knives. It's just that perfect blend of carbon and stainless that gives you the best of both worlds in my experience. I really enjoy being able to use my knives more and maintain them less while still enjoying watching them age gracefully.
 
Yeah my first D2 blade took stain from cutting a piece of green wood to make a walking stick for my daughter on a hike, after that I was hooked. Same experience with corrosion resistance as well. I don't find it that difficult to sharpen with diamond stones and I suspect most that do are using alumina-oxide or natural stones, or too fine a grit before setting the bevel. The steel is definitely a selling point for Queen, like I said, I really really wanted to like that knife :/
 
Integrity is a strange word....what does it really mean?
I would have taken the replacement and gone from there.
I fully empathise with you on this.
Lack of response is not good.
One mans "picky" is another mans "discerning".
 
Just yesterday i decided to "Give Queen a Chance". Prior to this my last Queen knives were bought in 2007-08. All the blades are dull and sharpening the D2 is slow because of the thick primary grind.
I've read lots here in BF of the bad workmanship of current production Queen knives, but i have also read that the relatively new owners are trying to improve the quality control.
I bought a Schatt & Morgan Keystone Series Baby Sunfish, 3 1/2", late 2015 production, very nice Mammoth ivory handles. I asked the dealer to check for issues and blade grinds and the reply is that it is similar to a GEC in workmanship. So with this reassurance i pressed 'pay'.
I will buy a GEC knife with just the listing information, but for Queen also require an in-hand inspection.
I'll post a picture of this mammoth Baby Sunfish when i have it in about a week's time.
kj
 
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Yeah KSF offered to hand select another and that seems to be the way to go with Queens for now, but my phone conversation was off-putting so it'll probably be a while before I can pocket one without remembering how irritated I was. Unless they make a 3.5" scout with a large blade, small blade, awl, and combo the can/bottle openers whist keeping a flathead screwdriver(I dream of it at night).
 
Quote W.C. "it'll probably be a while before I can pocket one without remembering how irritated I was."
I and most others would respond similarly.
I think the 'new' owners have been there for 3 years now but the 'improvements' they promised are not showing up.
For example, one of the most important positions in any business is the 'front line', the person who handles phone calls and replies to emails. This person must be sincere and helpful so that customers will not take their business elsewhere.
White Crown's experience shows that no improvements have been made in this all important 'front line'.
Come on Queen, Wake Up ! Get rid of employees who could care less and hire people who do care. Starting with your 'front line' will help prevent more customers giving up on Queen knives.
kj
 
the queen workhorse barlow that I bought was one of the few Queen knives that I got with ridiculous grinds. i tried to work on it, and also smoothed the kick a bit. its now part of the three knives Im giving away on Randy's thread for Bob's donators. I do have a lot more Schatt and Morgan knives then I do Queen. So I guess I am just as eager to see the catalog but do wonder if the Schatt and Morgan produced knives are on a different catalog, cause my 2015 catalog that came with a purchase didnt have any of the Schatt and Morgan's listed.
 
I used to really like the Queen brand but after ordering a S&M scout last year I'm not that excited to get any more.

As others here have noted, the grind on the main blade was ridiculous. I gave it to my dad, who doesn't care about such things really, and he had the screwdriver/cap lifter broken in no time. He just reground the screwdriver himself, and he actually likes the knife a lot.

I know many have had great Queens lately, it's just not a brand I really get excited about any more.
 
There are plenty of Queen threads where you guys can go gripe about problems you've had with Queen knives. If you're having a hard time finding one, you can start it yourself. Why do you come to a thread asking what you'd be excited to see and think that's a good place to talk about knives you've had problems with in the past?

Think back to the 2015 forum knife picture thread. That thread was about people showing appreciation for the knives they received. It was not meant to be a place to critique problems people had with their knives. Same goes here. If you want to talk about things you'd like to see from Queen, let's hear it. If you want to talk about the direction of the company or specific knives you've been disappointed about go to a thread about that.
 
Corey makes a good point. The subject of the thread has been taken "off topic" with the posts about knife problems. I'm not saying there aren't problems. I'm not saying you can't discuss them. Starting a separate thread is the right way to do it please.
 
Corey, unfortunately the title "2016 Queen Dreams" invites comments about the company. The 'dream' most Traditional' knife lovers have is for Queen to again become a manufacturer of high quality knives with consistent quality control.
Until this happens it is hard to have a sweet Queen dream.
kj
 
Cory Hess said:
So, Queen has had this teaser on their homepage for the last week or so:

45e3be6d8e3c959bdcf99c966dd04ea1_0hxy_sd84.png


That jack looks mighty fine to me, and the jigged bone and EO notch are especially intriguing. Has anybody else been eagerly awaiting the 2016 catalog?

What are you hoping to see in there? Maybe a return of a certain pattern or handle material?

I'm hoping that they continue expanding the steel offerings on their Schatt & Morgan lines. In 2015 we saw D2 and CPM-154 on Schatts. I'm hoping for a more regular appearance of D2 on File & Wire knives.

I'm hoping that they keep the buffalo horn, as these knives came out beautifully. I'm also hoping that they find a way to expand their jigged bone options and bring back zebrawood, even if it's limited in scope. I'd really like to see some Winterbottom.

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

The topic is what's highlighted. Keep it on topic. If you feel you need to argue about it, take it to PMs.
 
mrknife said:
when does this new catalog come out?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure. I was trying to remember when they released their 2015 lineup, and I can't remember. I'm hoping that it's soon because I've been on their site every day hoping to see an update. :o
 
Hey Cory, my 2015 queen thread I started on Jan. 29th last year and that's when I noticed the catalog.....hopefully not long for this year's :D

I am just not a fan of stainless in traditionals and all the models I wanted last year did not have D2 or carbon blades. Hope this changes for the 2016 offerings.
 
I hope they keep the buffalo also, more choices in 154 would be nice but I am content with their D2 blades.
 
I'd really like to see some expansion on that bone jigging used on the Queen City Sunfishes of 2014. That was some good looking stuff.
 
More Curly Zebra, or a return of it (I had heard they had stopped the line).
 
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