Case & Queen old vs new

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robertj298

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Mar 7, 2014
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I'm curious how the older knives from Case and Queen stack up against the new models? Lets say knives before 1980 vs knives after 2010.
 
In my opinion it has to be broken down on a pattern by pattern basis. And even then, much like high school sweethearts, the memory makes things better over time. Personally, Case knives pre-1990 have never impressed me as works of art. They were a good work knife and gained their popularity as such well before 1980. By 1980 they realized the importance of the collector and were making a ton of nice sets, etc. But the old Case knives (let's say 1920-1975) were not the flawless works of art that we have convinced ourselves they were. They had gaps, lazy blades, blades that would rip your thumbnail out, etc. etc. But they were workhorses, that our daddy / grandaddy relied on every day. They still make a good stockman, trapper, and many other patterns that are a good value. Maybe not as rock solid as they were 40 years ago, but what is? And new patterns that had nothing to compare to back then as the Russlock, Copperlock, etc. There are some patterns that just can't compare to the older ones; for example the gunstock or large congress.

Now, with Queen, I most definitely was never impressed with anything they made before the mid-1980s; when the Winchester reproductions came out. And I haven't seen anything marked Queen, that in my opinion, screamed quality before the late 1990's. Queen's hayday seemed a little shorter lived though. Because they went from making a knife that seemed poised to take market away from everyone else in 2000+ to letting quality spiral downward in 2008+. Today they are very hit and miss.

So, to answer the question; it has to be taken on a pattern by pattern and year by year basis. But the thing that many will agree with, is that knives are like the stock market. It's not which one is great or a dog - it is which one is a value at the price it can be had. Each knife has a price where it is a value. Even a 40 year Case copperhead that has its blades used 70% up is a good value at $5; just as a beater to throw in the toolbox.
 
Browse through this thread and maybe you can make up your own mind: Let's see your Case knives, old to new :)
Example of 1970 XX USA model 6308 whittler:
24zcd47.jpg


The main blade has a stiff pull, but, I still luv her.:D
 
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You can spend more on a non-Case USA made knife, pre and post 1980, but IMHO, a Case knife gives you the most bang for your buck, dollar for dollar, ipso facto..

 
knifeswapper said:
In my opinion it has to be broken down on a pattern by pattern basis. And even then, much like high school sweethearts, the memory makes things better over time. Personally, Case knives pre-1990 have never impressed me as works of art. They were a good work knife and gained their popularity as such well before 1980. By 1980 they realized the importance of the collector and were making a ton of nice sets, etc. But the old Case knives (let's say 1920-1975) were not the flawless works of art that we have convinced ourselves they were. They had gaps, lazy blades, blades that would rip your thumbnail out, etc. etc. But they were workhorses, that our daddy / grandaddy relied on every day. They still make a good stockman, trapper, and many other patterns that are a good value. Maybe not as rock solid as they were 40 years ago, but what is? And new patterns that had nothing to compare to back then as the Russlock, Copperlock, etc. There are some patterns that just can't compare to the older ones; for example the gunstock or large congress.

Now, with Queen, I most definitely was never impressed with anything they made before the mid-1980s; when the Winchester reproductions came out. And I haven't seen anything marked Queen, that in my opinion, screamed quality before the late 1990's. Queen's hayday seemed a little shorter lived though. Because they went from making a knife that seemed poised to take market away from everyone else in 2000+ to letting quality spiral downward in 2008+. Today they are very hit and miss.

So, to answer the question; it has to be taken on a pattern by pattern and year by year basis. But the thing that many will agree with, is that knives are like the stock market. It's not which one is great or a dog - it is which one is a value at the price it can be had. Each knife has a price where it is a value. Even a 40 year Case copperhead that has its blades used 70% up is a good value at $5; just as a beater to throw in the toolbox.
Click to expand...

This is my experience. The fit and finish of the older case knives I have is okay, but I have new case knives that are better. The one thing I see with Case, is that their bone dye isn't as good looking as the old ones. Some of the new "dark red bone" knives are a solid pink. I still like to look at a new Case before I buy it, but I end up with nicer new Case knives than old ones.
 
Primble said:
Browse through this thread and maybe you can make up your own mind: Let's see your Case knives, old to new :)
Example of 1970 XX USA model 6308 whittler:
24zcd47.jpg


The main blade has a stiff pull, but, I still luv her.:D
Click to expand...

Between your knives, the condition and your photography, do you have a knife I don't want?
 
I disagree, i've seen quality vintage queen knives. Not so many fancy knives, more working class. Queen plus S&M and contract knives have been around for years with proven quality. For acompany as old as queen, i certainly have seen fine knives that do not just date from 2000-2008. Queen and case are favorite whipping boys on this forum.
 
brownshoe said:
I disagree, i've seen quality vintage queen knives. Not so many fancy knives, more working class. Queen plus S&M and contract knives have been around for years with proven quality. For acompany as old as queen, i certainly have seen fine knives that do not just date from 2000-2008. Queen and case are favorite whipping boys on this forum.
Click to expand...

Every brand is a whipping boy in this forum :D

If you refer to my post, I don't think you disagree as much as you think you do.... That is why I specifically said "marked Queen", because Winchester, Case Classics, et.al. post 1985 are probably the best knives made between 1970-2000. And they did have some nice S&M's in the last half of the 1990's. I just don't see a lot of pre-1980 Queen made knives that demand a following. That was why I have learned to qualify opinions instead of terribly broad statements.

Were there some pre-1980 Queen knives that you think are overlooked?
 
"I just don't see a lot of pre-1980 Queen made knives that demand a following." Probably because they were not "collectible" but they are still good using knives. Remember, Queen was one of the first to use 440C. When the original poster said "stack up" I assumed they meant quality, not collectibility.

You don't see many "marked Queen" maybe because they were used and used up, or most likely not popular with collectors, thus not kept, sold, traded, etc. They were still good knives.

I used to go to the NKCA shows when they were popular and there was a lot of them (1990-2005). There were a fair number of Queens and S&M from various years. From those shows, I learned that there are a lot of old Queen knives out there, just not as many collectors as for Case, Remington, Keen Kutter, Utica, etc. I don't know specific Queen patterns, other than the Chief, and there were a host of those.

As far as I am concerned, if Queen built it, it's a Queen knife. You can tell the similarities in blades, handles and construction across the different brands, it still is a Queen. However, the "winter bottom bone or delrin" and the D2 is only Queen, IMHO. Well, Canal Street uses D2...is it Queen ;) ?
 
I was happy with the first swayback jack a knife shop owner pulled out of the Case knives case for me a couple weeks ago. A Bose pattern, it had the same snap and sharp edges I remember from the first one I had. The teardrop Bose pattern however did not have that snap. I really liked the looks of the knife, but was disappointed in the springs. Kinda lost it's gas at the fully open or fully closed spot.

I got to see some knives from the Daniels family, new owners of Queen at a knife show a couple weeks ago. Some recent models looked great but did not have the best walk and talk. The one I picked up, a 2014 Mountain Man slipjoint, looked pretty good. Walk and talk was pretty good except for a spot in the opening position. I've been applying Militec to try to get out any gunk.

For the most part, unless it has been worn down in the pocket over many years or has a time earned patina, I am not going to be interested in a vintage Case or Queen. For the most part, the cost will most likely be more than a brand new one in the store if you buy from a dealer.
 
count yourselves lucky you haven't seen the down turn that Sheffield steel has...
 
Case XX era 1940-64, are among the finest production slip joints ever made. Better production methods than the Tested era and others, better QA than later versions. Not up to older Sheffield and German standards but I think that is outside of your question.
 
My opinion based on my knives, and knives I've handled from fellow collectors, Queen quality was good up through the 1950's and early 60's. It dropped off quite a bit in the 70's through 90's. Since the Daniels took over, the last 5 years, the Queen knife quality has increased tremendously.

For Case, Tested and XX and 70's dot years were all very good quality. Even the 80's and 90's were pretty good. 2000's and after for Case are not up to their previous standards.
 
knifeswapper said:
Every brand is a whipping boy in this forum :D

If you refer to my post, I don't think you disagree as much as you think you do.... That is why I specifically said "marked Queen", because Winchester, Case Classics, et.al. post 1985 are probably the best knives made between 1970-2000. And they did have some nice S&M's in the last half of the 1990's. I just don't see a lot of pre-1980 Queen made knives that demand a following. That was why I have learned to qualify opinions instead of terribly broad statements.

Were there some pre-1980 Queen knives that you think are overlooked?
Click to expand...

Mike, are the Case Classics a step above their regular line like Schatt is to Queen?
 
navihawk said:
Mike, are the Case Classics a step above their regular line like Schatt is to Queen?
Click to expand...

You can't really compare Case to Case Classics as the majority (except 3-4 patterns) of Case Classics were made by Queen.

Rookie82 said:
My opinion based on my knives, and knives I've handled from fellow collectors, Queen quality was good up through the 1950's and early 60's. It dropped off quite a bit in the 70's through 90's. Since the Daniels took over, the last 5 years, the Queen knife quality has increased tremendously.

For Case, Tested and XX and 70's dot years were all very good quality. Even the 80's and 90's were pretty good. 2000's and after for Case are not up to their previous standards.
Click to expand...

:eek: We have been looking at a whole different batch of knives ;)
 
I find Queen knives with D2 and WCSB or the later ACSB from the early years of this century to be really nicely made and finished items, some of my firm favourites in fact, and well priced. The latest offerings under the new ownership do not really convince me I regret to say. I realize it is a transition period and there must be a lot to do with investing in newer equipment but the knives of the moment are behind CASE or GEC or Böker Germany in finish. My experience may not be yours of course.
 
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