How do GEC/Northfield compare to Queen?

I agree with hunter/fisher:

Queens are more of what you would picture a pocket knife should be in regards to size. If you don't mind carrying a larger knife than the GECs are sweet.

I like larger knives, but the GEC are to "clunky" and wide for my taste. Queen seems to be more friendly to both the hand and the pocket.
 
Well the last Tidioute Cuban that I wanted was a bit off colored. Looked more like a pumpkin color. Mike from Collectorknives let me know before he shipped it. He gave me the option to pick something else. I chose a Northfield Whittler Stockman instead. Not sure if he's gonna ship the Banana bone one or the Tractor Green Bone one. I told him to surprise me. :)
 
On the whole I prefer the knives and patterns (and sizes) offered by Queen.
 
Blues said:
On the whole I prefer the knives and patterns (and sizes) offered by Queen.
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I'm far from an expert, but so far, I agree. Been carrying the Queen Canoe,
D2 with birdseye maple, and it is my new go-to knife. Love the slimness, yet it has a good heft. Not heavy, but you know its in your hand.
 
I have a Queen Classic Canoe (1095) in my pocket today and was just admiring it. I have also carried my GEC Northfield Wharncliff Barlow this week. The GEC is a thick and heavy knife for it's size. It breaks my nails to open. But a good knife . In looking at my Queen, it doesn't give up anything on F&F. They are just different. As noted prior and I agree, Queen is more of a traditional pocket knife where GEC (aside from the acrylics) seem more rustic, more backwoodsy...

X-mas: 2007 was the Queen, 2008 was the GEC, for 2009 I am asking for Queen Gunstock in D2.
 
In one word, the GECs are "solid". The ones I have bought all have been very well made. The GEC cubans have the best walk & talk. The trappers have really stout springs, real nailbreakers.

I only have one Queen, a Queen City SFO canoe in 1095, and I love that knife. Great F&F and the 1095 sharpens easily and gets a scary sharp edge. I took some Scotchbrite and removed the patina to have it come in again and it looks better the second time. Since my bolsters got beat up quite a bit, I used the Scotchbrite to the give them a satin/brushed look. Love that knife!

I like both companies knives but with my limited experience, Queen has better choice of steels, patterns, and sizes than GEC and still has really good F&F.
 
Each brand has a pattern that just took my breath away when I first saw it. Queen's 3-3/4" teardrop in amber carved stag bone, and Tidioute's 4-1/4" Big Jack in burnt grizzly bone. Both have premium blades, fit and finish--but mannnn, those GEC backsprings are tough! I do think GEC worth the extra green.
 
David Lowry said:
Thanks everyone! :)

I bought a GEC Tidioute Cuban yesterday. Can't wait for her to arrive.

I got it in Brimstone Bone.

:)

Northfield just didn't have the pattern I wanted. I really wanted something about 4" long with nice bone, and a spey, sheepsfoot, and clip blade. The cuban made the cut. ;)
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you did good
the Cuban looks to be a fine piece.
i have only seen and handle one, it had stag handles and it was outstanding.
the stag by the way was not matched. it was so gnarly it was exotic.
i've had good luck with Queen knives. the fit and finish i ssuperb

1095 is very good steel for pocket carry
buzz
 
Well, my Queen came yesterday, so I can chime in, too. On initial inspection, the knife looked good, with the honey amber bone, but on closer examination I found that the bone didn't match side to side, and the Queen emblem was offcenter and set too deeply into the bone. This results in a series of sharp points around the medallion, which is uncomfortable.

Possibly the greatest gripe for me is that the bearing surface of the main blade is in an "as cast" condition, resulting in a rough action opening and closing.

Don't know if this knife is representative, or I just got a second that slipped through, but I'm less than impressed. It did come sharp from the box, though, and the scales were well fitted to the bolsters. No play in the blades.

BTW, it's a #64 Canoe in Honey Amber Bone
 
My amber bone canoe has a fair amount of play in the main blade and the backspring has some good gaps between it and the scales. You get what you pay for with GEC.
 
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