Pocket Knives...Case or Queen?

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JTR357

JTR357

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:confused:Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a good quality pocket knife for my 13yr old nephew.He's very responsible for his age,or I would probably wait till he was about 16.I'm torn between Case Knives or Queen cutlery.I'd like to get him one that will last a lifetime or more(pass it down).I went to both websites & read up on them.I think Case is a little older,but it looks like Queen still makes them by hand.I noticed a Case Tiny Toothpick made with 154CM & Queen usually uses D2.I'm looking to spend $50-$80.I don't want to get him a tactical folder or a fixed blade,strictly a pocket knife.I don't want his Mom(my sister) freaking out on me.Any suggesstions?
 
you could go the route of the basic victorinox or wenger swiss army knife for a first knife, but it seems like you want more american style traditionals.

they are both terrific makers, based on what i have read in the traditionals forum (perhaps a better place to ask?) but i have not handled queen.

based on what i have read, queen blades come quit dull, which is not a problem if you are good with a stone. the D2 is also a little bit hard to sharpen (which translates to good edge holding)

case is good, i have one of their knives. fit and finish is up there, i would suggest the CV blades, but any of their blades steels will be fine. the edge that my case came with was fairly sharp, but i have read of some bad new-in-box edges.

both are good choices, but i personally would go for the queen because of the grind. it seems that all queens are flat ground, while many cases are hollow ground. i prefer flat grinding.
 
Thanks for the tip!I should've mentioned...It's very important to me,to get him an american made pocket knife,or I probably would choose Victorinox or Boker.There are'nt enough american cutlery co's anymore!!
Thanks for the feedback guys.
P.S Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place.
 
I'm watching this one on ebay"QUEEN CUTLERY COMPANY CANOE FOLDING BLADE KNIFE"It's under $50.I think he'll like it.Thanks again
 
JTR357 said:
Thanks for the tip!I should've mentioned...It's very important to me,to get him an american made pocket knife,or I probably would choose Victorinox or Boker.There are'nt enough american cutlery co's anymore!!
Thanks for the feedback guys.
P.S Sorry if I posted this in the wrong place.
Click to expand...

The Buck 30X series is US made. 301, 303, 305, 309. They run about $20 - $30 online depending on size. Not fancy but they are well made every day knives. I've had a 303 for years.
 
I'd vote for Case. Bought two recently, and they both are very good quality, as is every Case I've ever purchased.

Mixed results from Queen overall, but the Schatt and Morgan Peanut I just purchased is near-pefect (and in your price range).

Happy Shopping!
-Bob
 
154CM and D2 would be very frustrating for a child to sharpen. You would have to do it for him. A Victorinox Soldier would be a better first knife IMO.

That said, I LOVE my Queen Cocobola swing guard. It is almost perfect. Very good for a production knife.
 
The Queen Canoe is a good knife. Unless your nephew is really good at sharpening, he will have trouble with the D2. If you have diamond stones, it's no problem. Queen also makes canoes with 1095 blades. They won't hold an edge as long as the D2, but will be much easier to sharpen.

Case Chrome-Vanadium blades make good users, too.
 
The Case and Queen knives are still hand made. If I were buying a knife for my kid, I think I would really consider ss blades. I know most of the guys here will yell at me for that, but here is my reason. Most kids and a lot of adults can be careless handling knives. CV blades will rust if not taken care of properly. 154 and D2 as noted can be hard to sharpen. SS can take an edge fairly well and hold it for a quite a while. Just my .02 cents worth.
Later, Bob
 
You post this in the Traditionals forum. There has been much disscusion about this topic there. Plus, the guys over there are really helpful
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys.I think I'm going to get him a Queen Canoe,but I'm going to try & find one in 1095.I understand what you're saying about the D2.Also I'm gonna look into the Bucks too.:)
 
I recently picked up a queen amber bone whittler and was very impressed. I think it would be an outstanding choice. Of course later that week, the case whittler arrived. It was pretty darned good too.

Seahorse whittlers are even better.

You know, I may not be very helpful....
 
I vote Case. I recently bought my 11 year-old a Case medium stockman with raindrop damascus blades on eBay. It came in the mail yesterday and boy is it pretty. I want one too. lol
 
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