Hey guys, I'm in the market for a new single blade slip joint. I've narrowed it down the the GEC #15 boy's knife in the single blade/rust red configuration, and the Queen #41 single blade copperhead in acsb. Anyone have experience with both of these? If so, could you give me your opinion?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
GEC single blade boy's knife or Queen ACSB single blade copperhead
- Thread starter mdsmith
- Start date
black mamba
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 23,592
Both are excellent knives. The #15 will likely be sharper and pointier out of the box, but Queen's D2 will take a wicked good edge with some work.
The Queen is a quarter inch longer, heavier, and with the copperhead bolster being something of a half-guard, will be safer to use really hard.
The Queen is a quarter inch longer, heavier, and with the copperhead bolster being something of a half-guard, will be safer to use really hard.
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,594
They're not really that similar, but they are both very desirable knives, no doubt about that.
The Boy's Knife is all steel, my versions are Barehead (my preference) and they have quite a small bolster. The result is a knife which is robust, has a very decent Clip blade - first class handle to blade ratio - and is slim and not heavy. My scale shows 50 g for this one. It is certainly an attractive knife and nothing undersized or 'junior' about it.
I have a Queen 41 but it is a liner lock version so this will add weight. My scale reads 74g for this but if it is the completely slipjoint model and not the combo, it will be I suspect, 10g less. Still heavier than the Boy. It has two sturdy bolsters and as Jeff remarks, the Copperhead bolster means no tang ripping up your pocket. Moreover, it afford some extra protection when gripping-almost impossible to slip onto the blade. The liner-lock gives added reassurance when needed. Brass liners, thick jigged handles and a very fine Clip blade in D2 which, once you sharpen it, is a dream cutter. There is a burly tank like aspect to this knife despite its relatively modest dimensions.
The build quality of the Queen I have is actually higher than the GEC-the latter is very good indeed no raised or sunk springs on open or close, centre blade but it does show some very tiny gaps, I mean tiny too. The Queen is frankly superb and that is my experience of their D2 range in ACSB really beautifully made knives, none better if you get models from 2000-2008 in particular.:thumbup:
As we always say, you need both of these excellent knives simply because they are very different in character from each other. I would not like to lose either of these knives or want to part with them, that speaks volumes...
Thanks, Will
The Boy's Knife is all steel, my versions are Barehead (my preference) and they have quite a small bolster. The result is a knife which is robust, has a very decent Clip blade - first class handle to blade ratio - and is slim and not heavy. My scale shows 50 g for this one. It is certainly an attractive knife and nothing undersized or 'junior' about it.
I have a Queen 41 but it is a liner lock version so this will add weight. My scale reads 74g for this but if it is the completely slipjoint model and not the combo, it will be I suspect, 10g less. Still heavier than the Boy. It has two sturdy bolsters and as Jeff remarks, the Copperhead bolster means no tang ripping up your pocket. Moreover, it afford some extra protection when gripping-almost impossible to slip onto the blade. The liner-lock gives added reassurance when needed. Brass liners, thick jigged handles and a very fine Clip blade in D2 which, once you sharpen it, is a dream cutter. There is a burly tank like aspect to this knife despite its relatively modest dimensions.
The build quality of the Queen I have is actually higher than the GEC-the latter is very good indeed no raised or sunk springs on open or close, centre blade but it does show some very tiny gaps, I mean tiny too. The Queen is frankly superb and that is my experience of their D2 range in ACSB really beautifully made knives, none better if you get models from 2000-2008 in particular.:thumbup:
As we always say, you need both of these excellent knives simply because they are very different in character from each other. I would not like to lose either of these knives or want to part with them, that speaks volumes...
Thanks, Will
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies guys, they were both very helpful.
Willgoy - thanks for the pics. Being able to see them at the same time was a big help. I really like the design of the Queen better. I might feel different if I handled them both, but being that looks is all I have to go on for now, it looks like I'll be ordering the Queen.
Willgoy - thanks for the pics. Being able to see them at the same time was a big help. I really like the design of the Queen better. I might feel different if I handled them both, but being that looks is all I have to go on for now, it looks like I'll be ordering the Queen.
Will Power
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,594
I think you will be pleased, it's a very sturdy knife.
Also available in woods such as Bird's Eye Maple and Zebra, but I prefer this one in bone, very grippy!
Thanks, Will
Also available in woods such as Bird's Eye Maple and Zebra, but I prefer this one in bone, very grippy!
Thanks, Will
- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Messages
- 3,426
Boker also makes a nice copperhead, and there are some single bladed versions as well (I'm sure Kris has one - marked Henckels if I remember correctly).
Might be worth a look
Fausto
Might be worth a look
Fausto
Last edited:
Just a warning on the Queen. It will have a beefy thick blade. A positive generally. But the thickness extends to the edge. A reprofile will be in order and with the D2 is not a trivial proposition. If you have diamond stones and/or are used to dealing with supersteels, you'll be fine. If not, you may be frustrated getting a fine edge on it.
draggat
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2010
- Messages
- 3,068
I kinda forgot about that myself.... an edge pro or a belt grinder are pretty much necessary. Even with an edge pro, I've spent hours reprofiling a Queen.... that's their one drawback... terrible, obtuse edges. Once you get it sharp it's excellent.
My latest Queen purchase a serpentine jack would have been great if there wasn't gaps on both sides big enough to almost read through, this was a bummer bc I love the ascb covers and d2. I'm gonna give a queen another shot soon bc lord knows I've given a Case a few chances and there hit and miss imo but when you do hit it's great. Either way there both fine knives but the 15 is a clear winner imo. The 15 frame may be my favorite pattern of the Gec lineup.