Anyone like Queen D2 steel pocket knives?

C

Captain O

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I have a new small Stockman coming for an EDC "dress" pocket knife. I feel that the D2 steel that's been hardened to a 58-59 RC will take a bit of work to attain a decent "hair popping" edge, but should hold it much longer than either a Case (Tru-Sharp) or CV or a Buck pocket knife (420 HC).

Any input would be interesting/helpful. :thumbup::cool:
 
I find it to be a lot of work getting my Queen D2 really sharp...but it holds a good edge. It's one of my favorite steels.
 
i like Queen D2 steel pocket knives too dude :D

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The samples I've had and have all seem to show up really dull and it's harder than heck to get sharp. But once it's there, it'll stay that way pretty good.

I know others with better sharpening skills than I are better at working with it. But I don't mind it though. Good stuff.
 
This Queen large stockman broke its mainspring, which was fixed by Queen for free. Its D2 blades take an excellent edge and keep the edge long enough to keep me happy. (I don't do edge comparison testing, I just use the knife and resharpen) I will agree the factory edge was not impressive but the steel is good enough that that can be fixed.

The fit and finish and glossy finish on Queen knives are just wonderful.



This is an older Queen, and I don't know what they used back then. It is sharp though, takes a good edge.



 
I'm a big fan of many of the Queen made knives in D2. They do a good job on the D2 heat treatment and not so good of a job on the factory edges in my experience. Many of the edges are too thick at the edge as well as being unrefined. I am well equiped to improve on both counts and generally prefer putting my own edge on a knive anyway so it doesn't bother me much but to each his own. D2 can be a chore without diamond abrasives or powered equipment but it does provide good edge retention. Most of mine have been thinned out at the edge and/or convexed and they are a joy to use with a nice edge.

I assume you are referring to the #26 small stockman and it is a nice one although my favorite of their stockman patterns is the #9.
 
Captain O said:
I have a new small Stockman coming for an EDC "dress" pocket knife. I feel that the D2 steel that's been hardened to a 58-59 RC will take a bit of work to attain a decent "hair popping" edge, but should hold it much longer than either a Case (Tru-Sharp) or CV or a Buck pocket knife (420 HC).

Any input would be interesting/helpful. :thumbup::cool:
Click to expand...

A lot of the more recent Queen knives have been shipped with pretty decent edges, but Queen is infamous for shipping butterknife edged blades.

Diamonds are not only a gal's best friend, they are pretty awesome for the owner of a Queen D2 knife as well. I set the edge with Extra Extra Coarse DMT, then go finer from there. Aluminum oxide stones work well, too. But don't even try with an Arkansas stone.

You are correct about the edge retention. Once properly sharpened, the D2 holds an edge a good long while.

Congrats on the new knife!
 
Reprofiling is slow unless you have a very coarse stone. Queens D2 is good steel but they barely have an edge. They need a lot of work out of the box. I wish Queen would step up their sharpening.
 
I agree with most here, if you don't mind putting in the elbow grease to refine a rather obtuse factory edge, Queen's D2 is good stuff, and holds a good edge.
 
I've quickly become a fan of Queen's D2 steel. In fact, it just might be my current favorite. I have 6 traditional knives in my EDC rotation and 3 of them have D2 blades. (2 Queens and 1 Canal Street Cutlery)

Get the blades sharp and make a commitment to keep them that way and you will be delighted with the steel. In my opinion D2 is a nearly perfect combination of edge retention and moderate cost and Queen does the steel proud. Corrosion resistance is satisfactory as well.

Enjoy your new knife. I'm sure you will like it.
 
Bought one of their fairly inexpensive fixed blades and it took a long time to put a good edge on it with a diamond stone. I have had the same problem with the BK-24 as far as putting a shaving sharp edge on it. Have a couple of their folders in D2, but to this point have not used one of them to cut anything.

But yes, Queen is improving their factory sharpening. Daniels (son) mentioned to me that they have been working on that at a show in March. They have been slowly trying to improve their internal QA/QC procedures and increase the variety of their product line.
 
I've got a couple Queens with D2. Big fan here

I could care less if it comes dull from the factory. That's why I have a sharpener.
 
They arrive with a bit of a thick edge, as others have said, diamonds are your friend. I've loved d2 since my first Dozier many years ago. I'm sure the latest steels are better but I'm a life long fan. Once you get em sharp they tend to stay that way.
 
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