New Queen 1095 Canoe

wintermute

wintermute

Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
3,018
I just got my Queen canoe in 1095 w/ crimson bone handle from Cumberland Knifeworks (actually I got two - one for my buddy in goldenroot - at his bachelor party recently held in the Catskills, everyone was showing their knives, him not being a knife guy, says "I only have this junky knife I found in the trunk of my car" and pulls out my Benchmade 690 that I lost 6 years ago).

Fit and finish is outstanding. The bone scales are polished to the point of looking like plastic, and unlike most production knives, they curve towards the liners - no slab sides here. All corners are nice a smooth. Huge strong backspring. The angles of the back of the main blade transition to the the bolsters when closed. Zero blade play. Very obtuse bevel, but who cares, it's 1095! Gotta cut some potatoes to help along the patina.

Everyone should get one of these knives. I've stayed away from Queen because I figure tool steel is more of a hassle than it's worth, but if this is indicative of Queen quality, I hope they come out with more patterns in 1095.

I know that everyone wants to see pictures, but if I take one more knife picture for my internet buddies, my wife'll kill me. Plus, Thomason took much better photos in this thread than I can ever hope to take (still doesn't do it justice)...
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=492927
 
Cumberland Knife Works (www.cumberlandknifeworks.com) has several patterns in 1095 in addition to the canoes. These knives include the "Mountain Man Trapper" in both "Crimson Bone" and stag; the "Harness Jack" in "Antique Green", "Crimson", and "Golden Root" bone; and the 3 1/2-inch "Mini-trapper" in "Green", "Crimson", and "Strawberry" bone.

I agree wholeheartedly about the canoe. It is a favorite pattern for me, anyway, and I must confess that I am really taken with Queen's versions, especially in their 1095 versions.

Queen's other 1095 versions have their charms, as well.

The "Harness Jack" is a fine old pattern that features a very useable master blade along with a well designed leather punch. I understand that this pattern went out of favor when people had less need to mend leather harness and "tack". However, punches are still present on SAK and Boy Scout knives and I suspect that they are probably among the most used blades after the master blades. Go figure! While I do not currently own a Queen version of this pattern I do carry and use an old "Fox" harness knife from the late 19th or early 20th centuries that is very similar to Queen's version. It is a very useful knife that is carried and used a bit sparingly due to its age and the fact that it is something of a family heirloom. However, when it is employed there can be no doubt as to its usefulness.

The "Mountain Man Trapper" is one honey of a big folding knife. It is very nearly a direct copy of the old Remington 1303 and 1306 lockback knives that were so highly regarded between the World Wars and into the 1950's. Carried in a Mackinaw pocket or a proper belt sheath this big knife should serve as well as its predecessors. While I have not been able to give my copy a lot of "field time", yet, I certainly would have no qualms about using this knife for any purpose that would be appropriate for a large folding knife.

I have had less experience with the 3 1/2-inch "Mini-trapper" even though I have owned a few. My "carrying knives" that are this small tend to be either canoes or stockmens. That having been said, these knives do feel very good in the hand and I would not feel in the least disadvantaged if I were ever called upon to carry one.
 
Man, it's great to get new knives, but then you torture yourself - already I see almost-microscopic scratches on those big gorgeous bolsters, and there's some small patches of patina from when I used it to cut an apple. Now I have to wait for it to get beat up enough to become beautiful again.
 
I love those 1095 Queen City Canoes. I first saw them at the bi-annual Queen show, when Ken Daniels (now of GEC) first brought them out (his special brand). He wanted a useful, easy pocket-carry knife, for a good price, and he succeeded in spades. I carry one off and on, and have two spares just in case! They fit so nice in your pocket, and have no tangs sticking out.
Hey John Schedel of Buffalo! My old home town!! I'd love to see a picture of your Fox Harness knife!!
 
And of course the Harness Jacks that John Schedel was referring to, are Waynorth's babies.
I still need the Candy Stripe from the 2nd Series. (hint, hint)

Dave
 
knowtracks, some of the candystripes from series two are off-gassing:(
Apparently there were two small batches of cell, and one was bad. I have one, and it is going out to be rehandled.:jerkit:
 
waynorth said:
I love those 1095 Queen City Canoes. I first saw them at the bi-annual Queen show, when Ken Daniels (now of GEC) first brought them out (his special brand). He wanted a useful, easy pocket-carry knife, for a good price, and he succeeded in spades. I carry one off and on, and have two spares just in case! They fit so nice in your pocket, and have no tangs sticking out.
Hey John Schedel of Buffalo! My old home town!! I'd love to see a picture of your Fox Harness knife!!
Click to expand...

I wish I could accomodate with the picture but my system does not allow for that. Sorry!

Another Buffalo expat...to Western Canada?! Weather-wise isn't that kind of jumping from the frying pan into the fire?;)
 
Anyone got a link where I can see all (or at least a lot of) Queens 1095 offerings?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top