Queen Cutlery Company Closes

Always sad to see a classic company like Queen have financial issues. I picked up a nice Barlow dating back to the early 80’s recently and it’s a fine knife for what I paid. I hope they make it.
 
One of the nicest forum knives we've had, made by Queen. They sure made a nice knife.
pGNHGYd.jpg
 
Why are so many talking like queen is already gone for good? They closed to reorganize, and the employees are on furlough, they did not get laid off. Of course it's up in the air but not a done deal yet.

Goes to show many people read a thread title, and post based on that alone...
 
From everything I've been hearing, I guess it would come this year, but not so early. Really sorry to hear. I hope it didn't take the workers by surprise and they will be alright. Hope they can get things figured out and pick back up in a good way.
 
TheChunk91 said:
Why are so many talking like queen is already gone for good? They closed to reorganize, and the employees are on furlough, they did not get laid off. Of course it's up in the air but not a done deal yet.

Goes to show many people read a thread title, and post based on that alone...
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Agreed, it's really all speculation at this point, the only known is that they closed... That's a sign, as Larry the cable guy would say. Only they know how deep the hole is, and depending on what course they take, matters could be in the hands of " others". It's not like traditional pocket knives are a booming, growing industry, and the fact that they needed to close to re structure is not a good sign. I'm certainly not going to hold my breath for a bolder, brighter future... could happen, anything can happen,
 
TheChunk91 said:
Why are so many talking like queen is already gone for good? They closed to reorganize, and the employees are on furlough, they did not get laid off. Of course it's up in the air but not a done deal yet.

Goes to show many people read a thread title, and post based on that alone...
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Yes - Chapter 11 is a restructuring - a way to reorganize and get out from under debt, with a court overseeing who gets paid how much. Occasionally companies do exit from Chapter 11, healthy and able to continue. Perhaps that will happen in this case.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
Let's hope for the best and who knows, any of you folks wanna buy a knife company? Maybe we can have the first wholly forum member owned knife company. :)
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Assuming this is not going to go well for the current owner...For those of you that truly care about maintaining an American Industry & a company with a rich history - think of the ownership of the Green Bay Packers - if we can get enough of us to pitch in we can all become owners & change the course of history for the future of these knives. Think of it - what if we could muster enough economic resources to bring this brand back to full luster & turn a profit? Those that took part would not only benefit financially in the long run, but also would become legendary in the knife community.
 
Sadly I have to agree with this. It seemed KD was going to be the saviour. But under his tenure the knives lost that classic elegance that I loved, instead, a lot of the time they ended up looking like parts box versions of GEC knives
Will Power said:
Who isn't depressed by this? A knife company with real heritage, this is of course horrible for those who worked there. They lose not just their job-and that's bad enough - but some of their identity too.

I have some very prized Queen knives from the early years of this century in D2. However, I'm not actually surprised by the shutting down, most recent Queen knives have certainly lacked identity, aesthetics and crucially, quality. Yet prices have been on the ascent. A lot of noise was made back in 12 when Daniels took it over, but I can't say I saw any improvements, rather the opposite. Some really ugly bone, that often huge Keystone shield on nearly all patterns, crude looking etches, a weird mix of steels in what looked like and attempt to use up old parts coupled with some appalling QC.

Yes, they were excellent cutlers in the past, up until about 10 years ago, they also made very high contract knives but that all began to disintegrate. They probably badly needed investment in some newer,better and more reliable machinery. Right tools in the right hands etc.

In homage: QCCC Teardrop Jack in Ebony

IMG_2226.jpg~original
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FwdHO said:
Assuming this is not going to go well for the current owner...For those of you that truly care about maintaining an American Industry & a company with a rich history - think of the ownership of the Green Bay Packers - if we can get enough of us to pitch in we can all become owners & change the course of history for the future of these knives. Think of it - what if we could muster enough economic resources to bring this brand back to full luster & turn a profit? Those that took part would not only benefit financially in the long run, but also would become legendary in the knife community.
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We can't even hardly decide on a yearly forum knife, yeah, the buying and running of a cutlery company should go well...not.
 
In honor of the Queen cutlers of yesteryear, I am going to give my Case Peanut a well-deserved vacation and start carrying my Queen #2 Serpentine Jack.

I owe Queen a lot - the overly thick primary grind and obtuse edge on that knife, in D2 steel no less, is what led me to break free from the confines of the Sharpmaker and learn to freehand sharpen, and to gain an appreciation for the virtues of a coarse silicon carbide stone.

Just like that really hard teacher in school whose class you wished you could avoid, that knife taught me much. I look at that nice broad bevel that *I* put there, that is still shaving sharp, and thank the Queen hafter who make that bulbous butterknife for me. :D

(I have a Queen #9 ACSB that is a razor out of the box, all 3 blades, so I guess they didn't want to educate all of their customers quite so well.)
 
Wow, such a coincidence. I just opened a Schatt and Morgan swell center trapper that Came in the mail today. It is my second SM, both of which were the same frame. It is VERY well made, the grinds are even and actually sharp, the blades are centered perfectly, and the bone is a nice even color with great texture and depth. I will cherish this one, especially after hearing about the possible closure.
However, The last one I had was ebony, and the Knife was built like a tank. However, both blades were as dull as could be. Trying to sharpen them was to no use as the angles were all wonky.

I hope they can come back stronger and better. It would be nice for a little head to head competition in this market, maybe it would cause a lowering of prices, or even just more options all around. I don't mind paying up if I know the quality will be there.
 
The #2 is a hall of famer in my book. One of my favourite knives in the ACSB
jc57 said:
In honor of the Queen cutlers of yesteryear, I am going to give my Case Peanut a well-deserved vacation and start carrying my Queen #2 Serpentine Jack.

I owe Queen a lot - the overly thick primary grind and obtuse edge on that knife, in D2 steel no less, is what led me to break free from the confines of the Sharpmaker and learn to freehand sharpen, and to gain an appreciation for the virtues of a coarse silicon carbide stone.

Just like that really hard teacher in school whose class you wished you could avoid, that knife taught me much. I look at that nice broad bevel that *I* put there, that is still shaving sharp, and thank the Queen hafter who make that bulbous butterknife for me. :D

(I have a Queen #9 ACSB that is a razor out of the box, all 3 blades, so I guess they didn't want to educate all of their customers quite so well.)
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Feel terrible for the employees now out of work, but Queen never did much for me and the the stories of poor quality keep me from really looking much at them.
 
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