That's an interesting question. I just got my first traditional slipjoint knife in a long time, and the first quality one from Queen. I got a canoe with D2 steel and stag scales. I am 21, so was born after all the tactical knives took over the market. In fact my first knife was a Buck 110 knock off my dad gave me, and after that a larger model SAK. My first real knife, or high qaulity knife if you prefer, was a Al Mar SERE. I am still not all that intersted in collecting traditionals per say.
Anyway I really do like that Queen canoe. It slips right into my pocket, and isn't noticable at all. The fit and finish is great, as is the general appearance of the knife. My biggest disappointment with the knife was that it didn't come anywhere near sharp form the factory. Not that big of an issue to me, a bit of time with a diamond stone and it is now super sharp and ready for use. I still do prefer a tactical folder, and in deed EDC a larger locking folder most days. This canoe however finds its way into my pockets every so often, especailly if I want to be more low key about having a knife.
It has also made me more interested in getting more traditional slipjoints. My biggest problem with the other brands is the lack of quality, or lack of a decent steel. Now I have been looking at all of the other models that Queen makes, and thinking about getting more to keep the canoe company. A great point to me is that most are rather afordable, especially when compared to my usual type of purchases. So in that respect I guess I would agree that they are, or are becoming a premier cutlery company.
On the other hand though I would kind of believe that to truly be a preimeir cutlery company, at least in my mind, it would have to be more widely known. I am talking more like how Schrade was known, and available just about anywhere.
