Queen Cattleking and Large Stockman

[Getahl]

First off, I really love the stockman pattern. For it, it has two blade shapes that I really like, and even the spey blade is starting to grow on me, even if I would have preferred a small wharnie, or maybe a spear point. I have a stag Case Large Stockman that I picked up yesterday, and I think I'm in love.

Rambling aside, I've been looking at Queen City's Cattle King and Large Stockman knives, specifically in the Amber Cut Stag Bone. Their website mentions that those two knives are 4 1/4" and 4" in length, respectively (or least it did when they were up there), and made with D2. Unfortunately, the website is a little limited on its information, and I have a couple questions:

1) Having recently found out that D2 is not a carbon steel, how does it compare to Case's True Sharp? I haven't been collecting slippies for very long, and haven't really had much information to form an opinion on. I do know it doesn't sharpen as easily as carbon steel, and takes a bit to form a dark grey-ish patina, but that's the extent of my knowledge.

2) How many backsprings? The clip blade is obviously going to have its own spring, but do the spey/sheepsfoot share one on both models? I personally prefer one blade per spring, but it's not a deal breaker.

3) Weight. While not really a huge issue, anything heavier than, say, a Buck 112 is in boat anchor territory. What are the weights?

4) Blade length. My Case is 4 1/4", with a 3 1/4" blade. This is about as large a blade as I like to have on a folder, traditional, locking, tactical, multi, whatever. Is the Cattle King similar in dimensions to this? How about the Large Stockman?

5) How thick are the blades on each? I'm not worried so much about spinal thickness as I am about distance between spine and edge. The Case is a beast, albeit one I like. I would venture a guess that the CK is close to that, and the stockman probably not much thinner.

I appreciate any and all help y'all can give, and in-hand or comparison pictures are especially welcome. I preemptively thank y'all for your time and effort

 

[tomcrx]

1) Having recently found out that D2 is not a carbon steel, how does it compare to Case's True Sharp? I haven't been collecting slippies for very long, and haven't really had much information to form an opinion on. I do know it doesn't sharpen as easily as carbon steel, and takes a bit to form a dark grey-ish patina, but that's the extent of my knowledge.

Harder to sharpen. DMT's are a must if you have to reprofile and Queen's bevels are a lottery so you may need to. It is more stainless then 1095 put will eventually take a patina but it is more uneven then 1095. Some have called it "orange-peel" patina. Personally I prefer 1095.

2) How many backsprings? The clip blade is obviously going to have its own spring, but do the spey/sheepsfoot share one on both models? I personally prefer one blade per spring, but it's not a deal breaker.

Two backsprings, spey and sheep share one. It is better to buy from a store or one of the better internet dealers. I have not had issues with the amber bone but some of the maple have had atrociously weak backsprings

3) Weight. While not really a huge issue, anything heavier than, say, a Buck 112 is in boat anchor territory. What are the weights?

Similar to a Case Large stockman around 4 oz. They ride well in the backpocket next to your wallet. I have never had an issue carrying one that way even in khakis

4) Blade length. My Case is 4 1/4", with a 3 1/4" blade. This is about as large a blade as I like to have on a folder, traditional, locking, tactical, multi, whatever. Is the Cattle King similar in dimensions to this? How about the Large Stockman?

Don't know only have the Cattle King.

5) How thick are the blades on each? I'm not worried so much about spinal thickness as I am about distance between spine and edge. The Case is a beast, albeit one I like. I would venture a guess that the CK is close to that, and the stockman probably not much thinner.

They are a little thicker than the Case and they are flat ground not hollow, this makes the edge a little thicker. I actually prefer the shape of the CK over the Case because it seems to have a better sweep to the tip. Although to give Case it's do, I like their sheepsfoot better


Over all I like the shape of the Queen but like the ease of sharpening of the Case.

 

[knarfeng]

1) Having recently found out that D2 is not a carbon steel, how does it compare to Case's True Sharp? I haven't been collecting slippies for very long, and haven't really had much information to form an opinion on. I do know it doesn't sharpen as easily as carbon steel, and takes a bit to form a dark grey-ish patina, but that's the extent of my knowledge.

tomcrx gave great answers. I just wanted to kibitz a bit.

D2 in general holds an edge longer than 154CM or 440C.
Case CV holds an edge considerably less well than AUS8.

Queen D2 holds an edge much much much longer than Case CV.
I found it necessary to use diamond hones to get the edge I wanted on the D2. And I still get the CV sharper than I get the Queen.

My Cattle King gets a fair amount of pocket time. (But then I wear jeans 95% of the time. It's too big for suit pants IMO.)

Pic of Cattle King in my hand for size reference:

 

[lambertiana]

The Queen cattle king is about the same size as the Case 6375 4.25" stockman. The Queen #9 stockman is the same size as the Case 6347 4" stockman.

The D2 will hold an edge better than the Cr-V, and is also harder to sharpen. In my experience, the Queen D2 does not rust very easily, but it does pit.