Queen 2015

Thank you Jeff and Cory

The mark side is rather disappointing though, the wood looks very good, is nice and grained like the pile side but it is not well finished or radioused, having a rather flat blocky angular appearance. I suppose I could sand the square slab sown a bit, but....

Regards, Will
 
I got in two more Queen Buffalo Horn knives today, the #19 trapper and the #69 1/2 barlow. The horn is better than I had hoped for. The F&F is excellent with one exception. Both knives have a gap between the pile side horn and the bolster. I have already talked to the dealer and he'll accept them back, but after some thought I think I'm going to keep them. They are gorgeous enough that I can accept this flaw if it's a permanent one. I'm thinking that the more likely scenario is that the horn is dried out from being kept in Minnesota during the winter, and that it might swell up again a little bit with the seasons changing and humidity rising. I've read some past threads where people noticed buffalo horn shrinkage during winter months in dry climates and these knives did seem a little thirsty when I unboxed them. I don't know why this would happen on the pile side of both knives while the mark side remains fine.

Here's the barlow:

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A little comparison pic:

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and the trapper:

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Overall I'm very happy with them, and we'll see what happens with those gaps.
 
My understanding of horn is that it is modified hair as opposed to antler ("Stag") which is modified bone and that horn does not take up or loose water so changes in humidity should not affect it.
If someone with a background in histology reads this perhaps you could corroborate or correct this understanding.
kj
 
Thanks for that info, KJ. I've been waffling on these knives since last night. I hate not having the knowledge to make a good decision. It seems like these might cause problems with shrinking and warping going forward or they might be fine, depending on who I believe. I'd really appreciate it if somebody with more experience with horn can chime in and give their opinion. With the reports of problems with Queen's repair department I'd rather deal with this with the dealer as opposed to waiting until it's a bigger problem and having to go through Queen.
 
I don't know about horn, but hair does absorb moisture and change shape. It is used to measure humidity in some older mechanical devices.
 
I have been told that horn will expand / contract with the humidity. My personal experience seems to indicate that the most common reason for shrunken horn is application when green. I have sent my own horn (that sit in the garage for at least a year) and never had a problem with this; but had factory horn that displayed the problem nearly immediately. Seems that the factories do not have the patience to sit on it long enough for it to cure in most cases. I am no expert on the matter myself, but I do have experience with my "cured" horn versus horn that I am not familiar with its treatment.

My expectation is that your horn will never acclimate enough to close those gaps.

Heard a story about Jim Parkers insisting that the Case employees (when he owned it) use green horn on a Case Centennial series. They knew they were going to draw, so they put a set on a mini trapper and presented it to him as a full trapper. When he asked why they made a mini trapper, they told him they made a full trapper but the slabs put so much pressure on the knife it shrunk the whole thing. Don't know if that ever happened....
 
Thanks for the input. I might see about sending these back and putting the money towards a Bark River I've been eyeballing.
 
That's good to know. I've looking at the Queen buffalo horns for a possible purchase. Think I'll pass, now.
 
The Queen No.3 Small Sleeveboard I just got in this horn is really tight, not a hint of gaps or curl possibility on the handles. Very pleased with its quality. Horn can be tricky stuff, as Mike points out the 'cure' is the key. Look on Levine's Forum and you can see knives near 200 years old clad in horn that looks remarkable, he believes that there may well have been horn curing techniques that have been lost, hence the durability of old knives.

With your knives Cory, it might not be bad curing or shrink due to warping but maybe they cut them too short or filed them overmuch? I've got plenty of delrin knives that are gappy towards the bolster and that stuff certainly does not drawback or shrink. That Barlow looks a very desirable knife and it's nice to see horn on that pattern.
 
I'll definitely be getting more of these Queen Buffaloes in the near future. I'm not too picky, but there are certain things that get under my skin. Loose covers are one of them. I tried to talk myself into being OK with these ones, but at the end of day they would have bugged me every time I looked at the knives. That being said, it was very hard to box them up and send them back. I'm going to have to find replacements ASAP. :D
 
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Cory Hess said:
I'll definitely be getting more of these Queen Buffaloes in the near future. I'm not too picky, but there are certain things that get under my skin. Loose covers are one of them. I tried to talk myself into being OK with these ones, but at the end of day they would have bugged me every time I looked at the knives. That being said, it was very hard to box them up and send them back. I'm going to have to find replacements ASAP. :D
Click to expand...

Cory, sorry to hear about your disappointment with some of your new buffalo horn knives. They looked very good in the photos, and your initial excitement was contagious! :p But, to paraphrase Cochrane from the OJ trial, if the horn don't fit, you must remit!

- GT
 
You are a riot, Gary. I can definitely see the "teacher's humor" in your posts. :p

I actually got a pretty good lesson in horn because of those two knives. I did my research and found knives that people posted from just about every major manufacturer that showed issues with shrinking and warping. It looks like I'm going to have to move forward in my horn collecting a bit more cautiously. Also, knowing that it's not so easy to pump out flawless horn handled knives makes me appreciate the good ones that much more.
 
Right you are Cory. When horn's good it's amazing, when it's bad it's a catastrophe in waiting, rather like Cell but at least it's non-infectious:D:eek::D

Thanks, Will
 
If you two don't beat all! My Queen Stockman (with Zebrawood scales) is a great knife! It didn't come with decent edges, but Tom Veff took care of that! It's now razor sharp and quite beautiful.

I love it!

Captain O
 
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