Queen #49 Cattle King vs. GEC #81 Abilene Stockman?

[Macchina]

These appear to be the highest quality "Traditional" Stockmen patterns. The Cattle King has a semi-serpentine shape to it, I'm not sure why they reverted it back to a Cattle Knife (equal end/straight) designation.
The Queen is 4.25" long while the GEC is 4" long. You could throw the Case 6375 in here, but that knife seems to be better compared to the Buck 307...

Does anyone have both or can comment on which is the better working knife (small game, big game, general woods a use)? I love Queen's D2 but I love GEC's execution of all other designs and their 1095 is pretty decent steel.

(Both pictures from a great retailer)

 

[Coopsta]

My abilene is a great knife, fantastic in every way and I can't recommend it hard enough. The blades are ground perfectly thin behind the edge, which is something I wouldn't count on from the Queen.

 

[arizonaranchman]

Love my 81 in African Blackwood. F&F are outstanding and it's just a beautiful piece of work. It's big and well built.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I think I would like the Queen if they put it in some of that jigged bone they used in Queen City Congress.

 

[yablanowitz]

I personally find the Queen #49 a bit cumbersome for pocket carry, and my modern example came with the typical at the time thick grind and lopsided cold chisel edges. I have not purchased a Queen since the ownership changed, so I don't know if those issues have been rectified. The Abeline is ground much thinner, although it is still thicker than my old Schrade 8OT. Overall, I find the GEC makes a better working knife for me than the Queen. YMMV.

 

[black mamba]

Don't forget about the beautiful curly zebrawood Cattle King, I love mine.

The other awesome large stockman is the Moore Maker #5304, this one in burnt white bone, an eighth inch (.125) longer than the Cattle King in 1095.
With the round bolsters and muskrat clip, it carries smaller than it is, about the same as the Queen.

 

[KBA]

I can't really help. I have only had one Queen and that was their version of the peanut. However, I love my 81 in ebony. I'm trying to set aside some just to get another if I ever lose it. Im only 5'8 and it is a little large imo for the front pocket, but it rides perfectly in the back next to my wallet. I usually edc 2 knives, but one of those is always the 81.



Just got this one as an early birthday gift.

 

[Macchina]

Very nice pictures guys!

 

[Macchina]

How about the GEC Dixie Stockman #82? It appears to be more slim and GEC put a spin on each blade. Is it in the same heavy duty class as the Stockman knives mentioned above?

 

[Will Power]

Good question, your threads bring forth a lot of interesting responses.

I don't have either knife but to complicate matters I've been brooding NO END about getting a GEC Dixie, a kind of sleeker version of the Abilene. I don't usually favour a big knife even if I admire them. Really chewing this one over.

Jeff's absolutely right about the eye-catching qualities of Queen's Zebra wood, a real stunner. Their D2 is fine stuff, get a good Queen knife and you won't want to let it go, ever.

Thanks, Will

 

[Pokerface]

Does anyone have a picture(s) of the #9 Queen Stockman with the Abilene Stockman? I've got the #81 and like the OP, I'm also interested in the Queen Stockman, but my preference is the middle-sized one