GEC vs Queen vs ?

[brownshoe]

Cilohaefink's story is what I've learned from various different places about Queen's ownership. Where did you get your take on it MarkPinTx?

 

[pinnah]

Dumb question: Is it still considered a traditional if it's a lockback? Or does that make it modern?

Lockbacks are generally considered to be traditional.

More to the point, traditional on this forum roughly means a) no thumbstuds, flippers or spidie holes and b) no pocket clips.

The Buck 110 is traditional. So is the Buck 110 Ecolite.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Actually, Queen was purchased by Servotronics in 1969. At some point (I do know know what year), Servotronics purchased Ontario Knife Company. So Queen and Ontario were "sister" companies both owned by Servotronics. Servotronics sold Queen to the Daniels family in 2012. I believe that Servotronics retained ownership of Ontario.

Cilohaefink's story is what I've learned from various different places about Queen's ownership. Where did you get your take on it MarkPinTx?

It appears Servotronics does still own Ontario Knife Company. Here's a news item from just a few days ago (excerpt below):
http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140605-911454.html

"FRANKLINVILLE, N.Y., June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior executives from The Ontario Knife Company(R) and its parent company Servotronics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SVT) held groundbreaking ceremonies on Thursday, June 5(th) for the new expansion to its Franklinville, New York manufacturing facility."

And there's some good info about Queen's history and ownership in this news article about their 2012 sale to the Daniels family (also mentions the 'sister company' relationship with Ontario; additional excerpts below):
http://www.titusvilleherald.com/articles/2012/09/21/news/doc505bddfec8e44133675493.txt

"While all of Queen Cutlery's manufacturing is done at the Titusville plant, most other functions, including sales, accounting and customer service, are handled in Franklinville, N.Y., at the site of Queen Cutlery's sister company, Ontario Knife Company."

(and...)

"In 1969, the descendants of the five Queen City founders decided the business would survive better as a part of a corporate conglomeration.
It was around this time that Queen City Cutlery was purchased by Servotronics Corporation."

David

 

[MarkPinTx]

Cilohaefink's story is what I've learned from various different places about Queen's ownership. Where did you get your take on it MarkPinTx?

Well if you look at it, there really isn't much difference. The point being that it would appear that during the coownership with Ontario, quality took a dip. There was either some attempt at consolidation with Ontario or management by Ontario, which is not generally known for beautifully finished knives. Check this, http://www.buffalonews.com/20130513/ousted_exec_threatens_to_sue_servotronics_in_family_feud.html

 

[R Mac]

I could never participate in this discussion, but now I can. I just received a Schatt & Morgan Gunstock Pint. A few months ago I got a GEC Harness Jack. After looking at both knives closely, these are my observations:

Fit & Finish: Pretty much a dead heat. The blades on the HJ have a satin finish, the S&M have a polished finish, but not what I would call a "mirror" finish. The bolsters are just the opposite, HJ polished, S&M more satin. Blade etching on both is very nice as well as the tang stamping. I know you can't compare jigged bone to stag, but the scales on both knives are nicely done. The jigging on the HJ is nice and symetrical, dyeing uniform. The stag on the S&M is very nice and the thickness quite even side to side. Nice tight fit between bolsters and scales on both knives. When closed both knives exhibit flush fitting across their backs between liners and springs, no dips or raised edges. The ends of the tangs of the HJ are even with the bolster when closed, the S&M has small gaps. The S&M has slightly better blade centering. Rivets/pins/nails on both are nice and flush or as close to flush with the scale as can be. Neither has any flare or cupping at those points.

Blade Pull & Stops: The clip blade on the S&M has a very nice moderate pull, nice half stop and solid stop fully opened. Nice snap when closing The spey blade is a tad lighter and softer. The spear blade on the HJ has a slightly easier pull than the S&M, nice stops and good snap. The awl is ridiculously tight, close to a nail breaker, tight through the whole arc of opening and closing. I'm sure with use it would probably loosen up. I purchased both of these knifes as collectables for display. They won't be used so this criteria isn't as critical to me as it might be to others.

All and all I would have to say both knifes are fine pieces of craftsmanship. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase either brand again if they have models that 'call to me' like these did.

 

[waltmc]

I have an update--I've changed my mind. Or, at least, Queen has some great customer service. And seems to be building a nice knife.

A while back, I wrote here...

...
The Queen is on the way back to the factory for warranty work. Granted, the Queen is probably from the 'bottom line' years, but still should not have left the factory in its condition.
I would not buy another without handling it first.

They received my knife and very quickly sent out a substitute replacement. The knife I sent them is no longer in production, so they sent an alternative. Honestly, it's probably a nicer knife than I would have asked for. They could've sent a Country Cousin and I'd have been happy, but I got a decent stockman instead. The whole process was fast and easy and left me with a very positive feeling about they way they are running things today. On top of that, the knife they sent was actually sharp! (which is more than I can say for the one I sent in)

While still only operating here with a single specimen, I feel like the stockman I have (from the Work Horse series) is an excellent knife. It is not perfect (but what is?) but it does appear to be a great working tool--one that will stand up to way more than I will ever ask of it, and will probably still be doing so for my grandkids.

 

[gunstockjack]

I'd just add that Bill Howard, GEC owner, worked for Queen and designed many of their knives. The family resemblence is obvious if you compare like models such as the GEC 42 lockback and Queen's Mountain Man lockback.