Queen and Schatt & Morgan

[John Watson]

The Queen Stag D2 tear drop came in today and it is beautiful. Not quite shaving sharp but very close. A few passes on the Sharpmaker should do the trick. I didn't know if I would like the liner lock but it is nice to have a safety item although I really don't need it. The liner lock isn't what I would call up to par with Spyderco/Benchmade/Microtech standards but it does prevent the blade from closing accidentially but the blade does have some downward play against the rather thin liner. Not necessarily a slam of the knife nor the lock, just reporting. The profile is nice and slim which I like for knives that I will be carrying in my pocket. Another item I find that I don't like and have to alter is the Queen emblem in the scales. The stag is cut with a round cutter the size of the emblem but some of the raised edges are rather sharp around the emblem where it is below the ridges of the stag. A little careful work with another knife trims the sharp edges down and no one is the wiser.

I really like the looks of the Schatt and Morgan tear drop with plumb jigged bone handle. I just wish Queen used something other than 420HC on their S&M line. I am sure the 420HC would be good for general use. We, who are into knives, are just so steel savy that anything other than the new hot steel is a concern.

Sorry for the long post.

Well, I am back again. I just kept looking at that beatiful maroone colored bone handled Schatt & Morgan tear drop two blade and finally broke down and ordered it. It is a very beautiful knife and well put together. I am a user and seldom put a knife away just to keep. Usually the new kid on the block gets used unitl something else comes along that has captured my fancy but this tear drop is slated to stay in it's box as a keep sake. I have enough users around, both tactical and slip joint knives.

I was caught by the deep color of the handles. They really set off the bright bolsters and blade. The main blade is wider, edge to spine, than the Queen variety. The S&M being two balded is a bit thicker and heavier than the stag Queen as well. The Queen making a better pocket carry knife not to mention the D2 steel of the Queen.

Since finding out about the Queen and S&M lines, Case just doesn't appeal to me any more. They do have a few models that are eye catching but with reports of on and off quality control and the lack of options such as D2 steel, I'll stay with Queen and Schatt and Morgan for a while.

One day when I have the funds I would love a custom, but that may take a while.

 

[Morgoth412]

Actually I love 420HC as long as the heat treat is good. Can't speak for S&M but Buck's is great.

The 420HC is very easy to sharpen, and stays that way for a sufficient time period.
-Kevin

 

[GRMike]

I'll second Morgoth on Buck's 420HC. I have a 309 and it easily gets shaving sharp and stays that way as long as you would ask from a little pocket folder. But D2 is undoubtedly a great steel. I have the AG Russell version of the Camillus CUDA in D2. Recently I spent an hour cutting up cardboard boxes to fit the recycling service's bundle specs and the knife was still sharp enough to cut newsprint cleanly.