My Most Disappointing Folder

R

rprocter

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We all know that Moore Maker pre 2007 knives were well made and well finished. i have a few; yellow Delrin and Buffalo Horn made by Camillus and smooth yellow bone and Stag by Queen.
So when i saw this 4 3/8" Moore Maker Stag 2000 Commemorative Stockman for a BIN of $95, i bought it.

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Sharpie marks on Sheepsfoot are from me.

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A bit difficult to show in pics, but none of the blades have an edge grind. even worse, the primary grind is very poor and the blades are still quite thick just above the non-existant edge.

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the nail nick on the Master is too shallow to allow a fingernail to seat and results in a chipped nail even though spring is not overly strong.

Again my pics do not show it well, but there are gaps all the way along the spring/liner interfaces and the center liner is proud of the springs enough to catch on pocket material.

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also, not shown, but Spey is markedly under-bladed.

Does not look like a Queen to me. so i dug into my app. 2500 folders from a wide range of manufacturers to see what might be comparable.
Well the only folders i have with the spring/liner gaps and protruding center liner are Colonial. i only have 5, but 3 show these features.
Moore Maker's reputation is for well finished knives and is the reason they command a premium price over the manufacturer's same pattern.
What happened here ? were these 250 knives made by Queen, or did MM go elsewhere for these ?
anybody else have one ? if so how is fit and finish and blade grinds ?
roland
 
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I need to know more about these '2,500 folders'! :confused:
You have a library of knife info in folders? If so your dedication to this hobby sets a whole new high water mark.
 
The folders are mostly production, from (in order of numbers), U.S.A., Germany, Japan and China. both vintage and current production; used to NIB.
the criteria for being in the collection is that all knives must be in useable condition: at least some snap, no blade play allowed, blades may be worn but no more than about 25%.
I also have 27 full custom, sole authorship, folders.
only problem: storage that is both safe and allows quick access to any specific knife.
is that what you wanted to know ?
roland
 
You're lucky if this is your biggest disappointment in a knife :)

If I had to pick between Queen and Cammilus, I'd say Queen based upon the swedge and overall tight design.

Unlike most people on this forum, I've never been impressed with Mooremaker. I've examined about 15 of their products at shows over the last 5 years. Their Queen products are not Schatt and Morgan quality but Queen quality and Camillus is...well Camillus. If Colonial does their knives, that's news to me, everything I've read has it at Queen, Camillus and Bear. I've never seen their Bear knives, but don't really need to :)
 
I have one of their Bear stockman knives, and it has many problems similar to this one:grumpy:.
 
I'd be shocked if it was Colonial. They are pretty inexpensive, both in mfg and the steel. I bought an Old Cutler once for about 3.00 and would not give it away. Too bad about the MooreMaker, and don't have any. Not the first time I've heard some of the later ones were poorly finished.
 
2.5k folders???:eek: That's staggeringly impressive :thumbup:

From the pix you show, it looks poorly finished indeed,that blade etch (or is it stamp?)is none too impressive either and 95USD is not exactly dirt cheap as well. Somebody told me that Northwoods had been connected with Moore-Maker but I have no way of verifying this.
 
rprocter said:
The folders are mostly production, from (in order of numbers), U.S.A., Germany, Japan and China. both vintage and current production; used to NIB.
the criteria for being in the collection is that all knives must be in useable condition: at least some snap, no blade play allowed, blades may be worn but no more than about 25%.
I also have 27 full custom, sole authorship, folders.
only problem: storage that is both safe and allows quick access to any specific knife.
is that what you wanted to know ?
roland
Click to expand...

Wow. If I never achieve that level of quantity of slipjoints, at least I would like to endeavor to that degree of organization. :thumbup:
 
The lower profile on the main blade, looks like a Queen knife IMO.

Russell
 
I was only havin' fun saying Colonial. but it's lack of proper finishing in various areas is "Colonial-like".
I have a bunch of Queens and they all arrived with dull edges and obtuse angles, but the rest of the fit and finish is quite good. nothing like this MM Stockman.
would really help to see another example if someone has got one.
roland
 
Roland,
I too have a few Moore Maker stockmans. Two are 4 1/4" (stag and burnt orange), and 1, 3 7/8". I have to say, from my own experience with MM, all have very good Fit and finish. I've found the profiling of the carbon steel blades to be very nice. You are right about the nail nick on the 6302, it is very shallow. Not really the case with the other models. Ten years ago when I was looking into this make, I had a lengthy conversation with the older Moore, I guess the father. He said the stag and bone were then, made by Queen.

From my own experience, I think their well made, and part of my regular carry.

Jay

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These show a few years of use wear.
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Jay, thanks man; you posted another example of this knife.
is yours really 4 1/4" ? i re-measured mine and it's definitely slightly longer (at least 1/16th). i thought there was never any variation in a frame size ??
and, did yours arrive with at least semi-sharp edges ? and center liner does not stick up above springs ? and how are spine/spring meeting, level, or with blade more than 1 mm. lower than spring ? (2 mm. in mine)
As you say your knife is nice, then i guess i have one that should have been a reject, and the rest of the run was up to Queen/MM standards.
roland
 
Somewhere in the last two or three years, I heard Bear & Sons, or Bear MGC, was making some knives for Moore Maker. If Bear is, that might explain the poor fit & finish. I haven't found a Bear brand knife yet that I'd buy. :(

thx - cpr
 
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If you bought the knife as a collectable I agree that there is something left to be desired in quality,but if not.sharpen it oil it and get every pennys worth of your money,and enjoy using it.I do see the flaws you mention but overall it is still a great looking stag stockman.I guess I am a "the cup is half full"kind of guy.
 
Matt, i agree. that's why sharpie marks show on Sheepsfoot. i already had begun working on it. i'm not bummed out. seller offered full refund plus pay my return shipping, but i declined for exact reasons you state. i'm havin' fun sharpening it and when finally done it will be a cool EDC.
my posting was not to complain but simply curiosity as it is so different from all my other MMs, i had wondered if for this one MM had gone to another manufacturer.
roland
 
Hi Roland,
Call Dave Moore at Mooremaker and talk to him personally. Ask him to warranty the knife and ask him to hand pick one for you. I gauruntee he will take care of you. I believe it is a Queen made knife. look inside and see if here is a hole where the shield would be oinned to the bolster. Yours might be piined. My 2008 has the hole and no pin.The one I sent back to him had gaps in the liners and the main blade nail nick was too shallow. I think Queen just puts a little more buff on the MM's.
I have also heard online people selling seconds. there is one that is authorized to sell them and they say they are "working knives".
The knife I got back from them the F/F is so good, it's my main EDC for most of the time.All blades are even with the backsprings when they are open,no blade play,no gaps and a great blue hue to the 1095.
the thing I like about the MM's is the nail nick on the sheepsfoot are on the main blade side. Any other stockman I owned has it on the back, and yup, it did take me 3 times to get it sharp.
Steve


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