First nice slipjoint purchase

bdws1975

bdws1975

Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
3,721
I bought a Queen Cutlery 51 BEM today. I REALLY like the fit and finish.
I will post a pic when I get a chance.
I have a feeling I might be buying more of these babies!

Best,
Brett
 
it was! I could shave my arm quite easily. Not hair popping sharp, but sharp.
I plan on giving it a touch up with my sharpmaker.

Take care,
Brett
 
bdws1975 said:
it was! I could shave my arm quite easily. Not hair popping sharp, but sharp.
I plan on giving it a touch up with my sharpmaker.

Take care,
Brett
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Wow, that's great.
Queen's known for making real nice knives, of course, but they're also known for needing some sharpening when they're brand new.

They must've known it was your first one. ;)
 
Yeah, I started reading posts about Queen. Looks like they have some serious consistency problems.
I also ordered a Case Medium Stockman in 154cm. I generally like that steel for edge retention.
Any comments on the stockman?

Take care,
BRett
 
Case's fit and finish is very, very good.

I haven't tried their 154CM knives yet; they've just been released AFAIK.
But it's one of my favorite stainless steels.

I had a Case toothpick in ATS-34 which was a great knife.
Really top fit and finish on a production knife and the blade was very sharp.

Will be curious to hear how the 154CM Case is.

Please let us know.
 
bdws1975 said:
Yeah, I started reading posts about Queen. Looks like they have some serious consistency problems.
I also ordered a Case Medium Stockman in 154cm. I generally like that steel for edge retention.
Any comments on the stockman?

Take care,
BRett
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I recently got the 154CM stockman, it is a very nice knife. The blades are scary sharp out of the box -- especially the sheepsfoot! Ive used it a great deal in the garden -- mostly cutting stems, trimming and peeling, and it has been excellent. I 've also got the Balrow in the series and it is as well made as the stockman.
They also make a folding hunter in that series -- that would be one heck of a user!
 
davmgt said:
I recently got the 154CM stockman, it is a very nice knife. The blades are scary sharp out of the box -- especially the sheepsfoot! Ive used it a great deal in the garden -- mostly cutting stems, trimming and peeling, and it has been excellent. I 've also got the Balrow in the series and it is as well made as the stockman.
They also make a folding hunter in that series -- that would be one heck of a user!
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Thanks for the info. What do you use to sharpen? I tried to sharpen my D2 Queen last night and now it's more dull than when I got it. I might in fact have to reprofile after all.
As for the 154cm stockman, do you find it easy to maintain?

THank you!

Brett
 
bdws1975 said:
Thanks for the info. What do you use to sharpen? I tried to sharpen my D2 Queen last night and now it's more dull than when I got it. I might in fact have to reprofile after all.
As for the 154cm stockman, do you find it easy to maintain?

THank you!

Brett
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IMO, for the D2 in the Queen, your best bet is the DMT Deluxe Aligner guided rod system.
Unless you're proficient at sharpening freehand.
 
rifon2 said:
IMO, for the D2 in the Queen, your best bet is the DMT Deluxe Aligner guided rod system.
Unless you're proficient at sharpening freehand.
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Thanks for the advice. I am not proficient at freehand. Is D2 a good steel? I have seen several things on here and am not sure. I have also read that Queen is not a consistent knifemaker. I have to say that the knife was decently sharp out of the box but getting it reprofiled help a bunch. Is that typical? Once it is reprofiled, if I used the Aligner system, will it be easy to maintain?

Thanks for helping a newbie to slipjoints and D2.

Best,
Brett
 
bdws1975 said:
Thanks for the advice. I am not proficient at freehand. Is D2 a good steel? I have seen several things on here and am not sure. I have also read that Queen is not a consistent knifemaker. I have to say that the knife was decently sharp out of the box but getting it reprofiled help a bunch. Is that typical? Once it is reprofiled, if I used the Aligner system, will it be easy to maintain?

Thanks for helping a newbie to slipjoints and D2.

Best,
Brett
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Here on BladeForums, if you ask, "Is D2 a good steel?" as you did, you're bound to get a lot of different answers. I do feel comfortable saying that for blades up to about 4 inches in length, it's one of the top steels available.

Queen's D2 is not necessarily the best D2 out there but for the money it's excellent. And yes, the DMT system will make it easy to maintain the edge.
I'd practice with some cheap knives before beginning to work on your better knives. It's one of those things that the more you do, the better you get at it. Eventually you'll probably move to freehand sharpening.

There are a few "guided rod" systems" - Lansky, Gatco, and DMT.
I think the DMT is the best of the three. It comes with diamond stones which are definitely a requirement when working D2.

(BTW, you'll see that the Spyderco Sharpmaker is mentioned often on BF. It's a very good system, but IMO it's not the best for working D2 and similar steels.)
 
bdws1975 said:
Thanks for the info. What do you use to sharpen? I tried to sharpen my D2 Queen last night and now it's more dull than when I got it. I might in fact have to reprofile after all.
As for the 154cm stockman, do you find it easy to maintain?

THank you!

Brett
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Both of my 154CM Case knives (Stockman & Barlow) came with very sharp, thinly ground blades, so no reprofiling was needed. I've maintained the edges on them with the extra fine side of a fallkniven benchstone.
I understand your frustration with sharpening your Queens. Ive owned many and most have needed reprofiling (notable exceptions an improved muscrat in D2 that came nicely sharp and my two Queen City trappers). Other than the three I've mentioned, Ive ended up sending two to Mike Stewart at Bark River for convexing and selling the rest.
 
davmgt said:
Both of my 154CM Case knives (Stockman & Barlow) came with very sharp, thinly ground blades, so no reprofiling was needed. I've maintained the edges on them with the extra fine side of a fallkniven benchstone.
I understand your frustration with sharpening your Queens. Ive owned many and most have needed reprofiling (notable exceptions an improved muscrat in D2 that came nicely sharp and my two Queen City trappers). Other than the three I've mentioned, Ive ended up sending two to Mike Stewart at Bark River for convexing and selling the rest.
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Hey,
Thanks for the info. Once you have a convex edge on the D2, how do you keep it sharp? I presume you freehand sharpen?

The more I handle the Queen the more I like it. It feels solid with NO blade play whatsoever. Now that it is sharpened, it cuts like crazy. I was able to curl paper at what looks like .5 mm slices. Very nice.

I think I might like D2 but want to make sure I can keep it sharp. I have a 154cm Case coming and am curious to see how it compares. I have had lots of S30V, ATS34 and 154CM but never in slipjoints.

Unfortunately, I am having knee surgery soon and probably won't be buying many more knives of any significance. I am hoping to order a custom folder from a guy here in Oklahoma.

Anyway, thanks for your help,
Brett
 
D2 is excellent tool and die steel. If you were able to get it sharp, you should be able to maintain it that way.

I have one Queen, and I enjoy it a great deal. I also love Case knives, but have none of the higher-end steels -- just CV and Tru-sharp. I have one Case straight razor which I shave my neck with whenever I get around to it, and have not touched it with a stone in years. I just strop it well after each use. Of course, it is not new production.

Enjoy your new knives!
 
bdws1975 said:
Actaully, yes he is. I have been in contact with Ray and he is in fact a great guy.

Take care,
Brett
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Well, I can tell you that you won't be disappointed. Ray has been a friend of mine now for many years and I own several of his knives. I introduced to him to the forums several years ago and from time to time he'll log on and share with us.

Let us know how you like whatever you get from him.
 
Blues said:
Well, I can tell you that you won't be disappointed. Ray has been a friend of mine now for many years and I own several of his knives. I introduced to him to the forums several years ago and from time to time he'll log on and share with us.

Let us know how you like whatever you get from him.
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Hi Blues,
I have spoken with Ray a length via email and believe I am going to head up to his shop and watch him make some damascus blades after labor day. There is a show here in OKC next weekend, so I hope to meet him then. I like the idea of seeing at least part of the knife made.

What do you own of Ray's? there is another guy here in OK that I am going to ask to make me a cool wharncliffe folder also. I am kind of waiting to see what are my bills from impending knee surgery before I committ myself to a large purchase.

Take care,
Brett
 
If you click on the link below my signature you can see several neck knives of Ray's as well as a Nessmuk style fixed blade.

I also have an open order with Ray at the moment for one of his Scagel folders.
 
Blues said:
If you click on the link below my signature you can see several neck knives of Ray's as well as a Nessmuk style fixed blade.

I also have an open order with Ray at the moment for one of his Scagel folders.
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Awesome pics!! I believe I am going to order a scagel folder as well. I am thinking the damascus!

Thanks for responding,
Brett
 
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