My first Queen

P

Psychopomp

Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
2,662
I admit, I like the convenience of modern, one handed openers. But at heart, I'm a traditional, slipjoint kind of guy.

Not intending to make a purchase, I was just having a look at some of the online knife stores and this little Queen caught my eye.

I thought it was a beautiful knife, but I moved on. Then I started thinking about it... more and more. Finally, last week (before the lovely snowstorm) I broke down and bought it. With power finally restored, it showed up in my mail box this morning.

Queen31BEM1.jpg


Something about this two bladed, single backspring Congress pattern really intrigued me.

Queen31BEM2.jpg

Even if my photography skills are getting somewhat better, my meager attempts do not do justice to the scales on this knife. I've always been a sucker for bird's eye maple and these scales are absolutely beautiful in person.

Queen31BEM3.jpg

The main blade is considerably larger than I expected (not that that's a bad thing at all) and almost sharp.

Queen31BEM4.jpg

I really like this little pen blade, but it's nowhere near sharp.

Queen31BEM5.jpg

But at least I knew going into the purchase of a Queen that out of the box sharpness wasn't to be expected. I've got some work ahead of me to get this thing sharp, but I see it getting lots and lots of pocket time once it's sharp.

My next purchase will probably be the bird's eye maple canoe that caught my eye while looking at Queen's catalog.

My overall impression after playing with it for about an hour, aside from the childproof pen blade, are positive. The walk and talk are superb with a very nice, strong half stop. Fit n' finish is excellent as well.

Once it's sharp, this knife will get carried and I look forward to it. And to be perfectly honest, I look forward to the process of getting it sharp.

I sense many more Queen's in my future. And who knows, this one could knock the Paramilitary out of my pocket, I have no doubts about giving this knife some hefty use.
 
Very nice! I prefer a 2 blade Congress to the usual 4 blade.

But you are in trouble now, those Queen's are addictive! ;) :) :D
 
I got the Canoe with the birdseye maple in D2, and, once I got it sharp (thank you Harbor Freight belt sander) it never left my pocket.

Until it fell out of my pocket.

Now I can't find it, but I will tell you, you will probably love it. The spear/per combo is very useful, and the D2 just doesn't seem to dull. Fantastic edge holding. And, you're right, the scales are gorgeous!

Enjoy, and thanks for sharing.
 
I like that two blade Congress,good combination of Sheepfoot&Pen. Hard knife too find as well, nobody else seems to make this pattern at the moment which is a pity. Would look very good in Winterbottom Bone or Queen's green burl maple, as used on their sheath knives.
 
Oh thank goodness...for a moment I thought this was going to be a RuPaul thread!

I have been looking at several vintage Queen knives lately...I know I will end up with one sooner or later. Yours is looking very nice I must admit.
 
Congatulations on your new Queen. I have a slight addiction to them now.My first was a Cocobola trapper. I wish they would bring that wood back, but the way you and powernoodle captured the grain up close, I may have to get a maple one. You can't beat the price/quality equation. My Queen made Mooremaker took three tries to get sharp.The final was with ceramic.
 
Psychopomp said:
Not intending to make a purchase, I was just having a look at some of the online knife stores and this little Queen caught my eye.
Click to expand...

You've gotta be careful when browsing knife stores(or even here for that matter:rolleyes:). The next thing you know the ol' wallet takes another hit.

That's some good looking BEM. I like that it has a single backspring. Having two blades with a slim profile is really nice. I've been thinking about getting one of these or a canoe for awhile now.
 
I don't think I've ever seen that pattern. Very nice.

Diamond stones are a very "nice to have" item when sharpening a Queen for the first time.
 
Yes a fine knife!

It has a single spring, so it is slim and light in the pocket.
The 4 bladed pattern is massive and heavy

They mistakenly have it on the catalog as 3 1/2"
I wrote them and they replied, but most sellers still have it maked as 3 1/2"

The sheepfoot sharpens very well, so easy having a straight blade
I really like the swedging on the pen blade
It is double swedged on the pile side of the blade, so you get a very strong fine point for detail work

In Cocobolo 4"

picture.php
 
I started in on the sheepsfoot blade tonight. It'll slice newspaper now, but not cleanly. The pen blade won't even cut or tear the paper, which is fine by me since it gives me the freedom to put any edge on it that I choose.

I'm not going after the pen blade until the master blade will cleanly slice news paper or shave.

Earlier I dropped it down in my pocket to see how it carries and it disappears in the bottom and rides very comfortably for a relatively large knife. This one may very well become a full time EDC. I might have to get another one to be a safe queen (no pun intended).

I've already decided to order the BEM canoe, but I won't let myself do it until this one is up to my standards of sharpness. Fortunately, I have pretty decent self control.

Neeman, that cocobolo is beautiful too, especially with the brass scale pins.
 
Sword and Shield said:
Rub some mineral oil into those scales. Makes the grain pop out at you. :)
Click to expand...

Bill DeShivs in Maintenence, suggests not to use oil as it softens the wood but to use neutral wax shoe polish or wax

I have followed his advice and gotten good affects on some Maple
 
I second that. Some beeswax furniture polish has given very good results indeed, even on bone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top