Queen Cutlery D2 fixed blades

[RetiredGuns]

Whats so funny is I asked someone this same question 2 years ago on a diffrent forum and got about the same answer. I have noot seen much about them since and forgot who they are. Thanks for answering.

If you are younger than many of us I can see why you may not recognize the Queen name, but if you spent much time here you couldn't help but know the brand. I remember Queen knives in my Grandpa's knife drawer going back to the mid-60s and them knives were old as dirt then!

As far as D2 goes, it's a heckuva high carbon tool steel and considered higher end to many folks.

 

[desmobob]

My only issue with Queen knives are the edges. I stopped buying knives from them because they came blunt, not just needing a little sharpening but butter knife blunt.

The Queen D2 slipjoints I've purchased needed to have the bevels adjusted. Even with the diamond rods in my Sharpmaker, it was a PITA because D2 is so hard. The slipjoints also use the big, ugly logo on the blade which really detracts from the looks of what would otherwise be some beautiful knives.

Queen could have such a great product if they made just a few little changes! I'm sure a LOT of buyers are turned off when they find really steep bevels (and/or dull edges) on the knives out of the box.

Their designs are attractive and the slippies' walk and talk are wonderful. For someone willing to reprofile, I think they are a decent value. I've come close to ordering one of the fixed blade models several times in the past but haven't managed to buy one yet.

Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[knarfeng]

The Queen D2 slipjoints I've purchased needed to have the bevels adjusted. Even with the diamond rods in my Sharpmaker, it was a PITA because D2 is so hard. The slipjoints also use the big, ugly logo on the blade which really detracts from the looks of what would otherwise be some beautiful knives.
...
...
Stay sharp,
desmobob

DMT extra coarse stones make the reprofiling significantly less tedious.

 

[Franciscomv]

DMT extra coarse stones make the reprofiling significantly less tedious.

I'd rather get my knives from a brand that will ship them with at least a working edge on them.

If Queen fixes this in the future I'll gladly purchase quite a few of their slippies. But right now it's not worth it for me to waste my time and money with them. I'm not in the US so I buy my knives on-line without a chance to inspect them and sending anything back to the dealer or manufacturer is usually too expensive to be worth it (as much as $100 each way for a 5" fixed blade, for instance).

 

[knarfeng]

I'd rather get my knives from a brand that will ship them with at least a working edge on them.

If Queen fixes this in the future I'll gladly purchase quite a few of their slippies. But right now it's not worth it for me to waste my time and money with them. I'm not in the US so I buy my knives on-line without a chance to inspect them and sending anything back to the dealer or manufacturer is usually too expensive to be worth it (as much as $100 each way for a 5" fixed blade, for instance).

Not to worry. Different mind set.

Of all the parameters of a knife
-alloy and heat treat
-fit and finish
-nice scales
-nice design
-hold an edge
-sharpness out of the box

The one parameter that I can change myself is sharpness. And I don't really mind doing that.

YMMV.

 

[Franciscomv]

The one parameter that I can change myself is sharpness. And I don't really mind doing that.

YMMV.

I don't mind doing some sharpening, in fact I enjoy it. But my Queen knives needed grinding that was beyond just regular sharpening. My issue wasn't the relative dullness of the edge, but the lack of an edge all together.

And these weren't inexpensive knives, they were pricey (by Queen standards) limited editions.

I've stuck with Case and GEC for my slipjoints for the past few years. Queen might have improved a bit since then, but I keep seeing the edge issue brought up time and time again in the traditional subforum. I remember a guy who bought a really nice congress and spent weeks getting it to actually cut something (he didn't complain, he liked the knife).

Sorry for the rant.

 

[Skimo]

Yeah that logo is really annoying, ruins the knife.

Yep, it sure won't cut anything with that logo on the blade.

I understand aesthetics matter for display pieces, to each his own, looks like a good working blade to me.

 

[SteelSnob]

Imagine pulling that out at work or around the buddies. You'll never live that down hahah. I can hear them now "Nice knife you even got your name on it" or something to that effect hahah.

 

[Stainz]

My #92 stacked leather handle Hunter was ~$35 years ago. The dimunitive grip (My hands are medium+.) on the almost 4" edged knife was barely useful - certainly not comfortable. A Buck 102 is more useful and a razor out of the box. The D2 was relatively dull due to the high, but uniform, bevel angle. It ended my Queen Cutlery interests.

Oddly, my second-ever Benchmade, a 201 Activator+ also in D2, arrived as dull as my first-ever 551 Grip (440C) did years earlier. Many more Benchmades would follow - mostly razors - all sharp now. Why? I liked them far better and... I had bought a Spyderco Sharpmaker! Putting a good edge on the BM 201's D2 edge was like a new career... re-edging that Queen #92 would be a new career! The ability to keep a good edge on one's knife is important.

Stainz

PS It is aggravating to buy a new knife with a dull edge!

 

[dnuggett]

I can't get past the logo. BUT, at $100 I may pick one up and do a regrind.

 

[Bobby Craig]

11111

 

[penganon]

I finally decided to pull the trigger on this.
First thought was the wood scale is no where near the advertised photo. No big deal. (This one is labeled 'green' on the box if you care to compare with top picure in the OP.)
And the edge is not that sharp.

Then I realize that's a good thing. I don't know if Queen does this on purpose. But it's kind of left to you what kind of working edge you want to put on it. Some people prefer flat grind, some convex. This is excellent for the working knife-user who knows what edge he prefers. I've come to really like the knife.

In comparison to some popular hunting knives. Most come with complete sharpness that does not allow you to reprofile the edge without some work.

 

[arty]

If the steel is as hard as the D2 on their folders, it will be much easier to sharpen with a 1"X30" belt sander. I have one out in the garage for just this purpose.

 

[VA27]

I picked up a Queen #40 bone stag, D2, gunstock jack for $25 a coupla days ago. It was marked as a second, but darned if I could see what was wrong with it. Since I already know how to sharpen a knife, the lack of an edge doesn't bother me.

 

[JNewell]

AGR says those are running 59-60 Rc. That's very good for D2. These things look to be a bargain.

 

[hushnel]

I picked one up at the local gun and knife show this weekend. I like the fact that it's D-2 and it is OK sharp but I'll fix that. The sheath is a little to loose for my standards and spend part of Sunday making up a new one. The printing on the blade wont last too long, it doesn't appear to be very deeply etched, it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[penganon]

I picked one up at the local gun and knife show this weekend. I like the fact that it's D-2 and it is OK sharp but I'll fix that. The sheath is a little to loose for my standards and spend part of Sunday making up a new one. The printing on the blade wont last too long, it doesn't appear to be very deeply etched, it doesn't bother me at all.

Nice looking sheath.

Yeah, Queen knives are for experienced knife users though. Beginners stay awayyy!

 

[Will Power]

Their sheath-knives are are a considerable bargain in my experience. I have a Sabre bladed one (3rd one down in the OP) in a very attractive Green Maple Burl and a Barehead in Amber Bone, a thin knife that could be used as a fillet.

Both arrived sharp, unlike many of Queen's folding knives...arriving sharp means they are easy to keep that way, otherwise re profiling can be an arduous task. They are very good in the hand and work well, both cost under 50 USD, a real bargain. Sheath on one is rather suspect but the Amber Bone one has a credible sheath. OK I'm not that keen on those etches either, they're sprawling and awkward but otherwise, these are unsung heroes and will please you a great deal.