Queen Cutlery quality

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I bought a small Kentucky Shiner (S&M) recently and was really excited for it. I love the lack of a half-stop, the ATS-34 (not a carbon fan), the worm grove covers, and the overall shape a lot. The blade play is bad enough that there are scratches toward the tip of the blade from the liners rubbing on it. Also, when the blade is closed, you can feel the sharpened edge rubbing inside the knife. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard. This knife cost more than any of the 5 GEC knives I own and doesn't come close in quality. I just wish GEC would do more stainless knives. I doubt I will give Queen another chance anytime soon though.
 
tdkfm said:
I bought a small Kentucky Shiner (S&M) recently and was really excited for it. I love the lack of a half-stop, the ATS-34 (not a carbon fan), the worm grove covers, and the overall shape a lot. The blade play is bad enough that there are scratches toward the tip of the blade from the liners rubbing on it. Also, when the blade is closed, you can feel the sharpened edge rubbing inside the knife. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard. This knife cost more than any of the 5 GEC knives I own and doesn't come close in quality. I just wish GEC would do more stainless knives. I doubt I will give Queen another chance anytime soon though.
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Darn...that's one of their patterns I really like, but given the recent comments about their quality I was hesitant. On the other hand, I thought "how could anyone mess up a single blade knife?" Apparently they've found a way!

I'll wait a bit until their quality improves; I find many of their patterns to be quite attractive.
 
PythonDR said:
Darn...that's one of their patterns I really like, but given the recent comments about their quality I was hesitant. On the other hand, I thought "how could anyone mess up a single blade knife?" Apparently they've found a way!

I'll wait a bit until their quality improves; I find many of their patterns to be quite attractive.
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If it helps, I have the pint Ky. shiner in stag, and the knife is beautifully made...no blade play at all. Terrific size. I'm pleased with the knife and carry it often.
 
I actually bought the longer worm groove Kentucky shiner first, but the EDC version (apparently cosmetic blemishes). I didn't realize those wouldn't have a warranty, but for the price that was OK. It had so much blade play and scratched the blade so bad that I sent it to queen. They ignored two emails from me and sent it back exactly the same, probably a month later. I understand not doing warranty work on a factory second, but this knife is basically worthless. Not even sure what to do with it really. While I was waiting for a response or to get that knife back I went ahead and ordered a full price, brand new non EDC version of the shorter knife. The blade play isn't quite as bad, but still enough to scratch the sides of the blades up. For $120 it isn't near the quality I would expect. As you can see from trying this model twice, I really like the design and steel. Unfortunately I guess my search continues.
 
There's an S&M I've had my eye on, I just emailed KSF asking if they can check if it is free of a list of the usual Queen issues, all of which I've experienced personally. Here's to hoping.
 
tdkfm, are these 2 knives with the serious blade play recently made knives É Or are they older knives made before the Daniels acquired Queen É
Every time i type a question mark i get: É Wierd !
kj
 
I believe they are both stamped 2013. I don't have them with me at work though. Not sure when the Daniels took over. After they couldn't even respond to my emails I basically gave up on them.
 
Ive got a queen Railsplitter on the way, actually two, from two different places. Hopefully theyll both be without flaws, but im just doubling down to make sure i get a good one.
This will be my first foray into Queen knives since the failed EDCForums stockman in 2014. Got my fingers crossed, i have a buddy with a couple of newer Queens that are perfect, im hoping I can replicate that experience.
 
D.B Cooper said:
Ive got a queen Railsplitter on the way, actually two, from two different places. Hopefully theyll both be without flaws, but im just doubling down to make sure i get a good one.
This will be my first foray into Queen knives since the failed EDCForums stockman in 2014. Got my fingers crossed, i have a buddy with a couple of newer Queens that are perfect, im hoping I can replicate that experience.
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I have a 2014 Railsplitter with Walnut covers that I got in The Exchange. The action is a little gritty and not solved by cleaning and lubricating but aside from that it is a mighty fine knife. Tight blades with no rub and no play. A good solid handfull of a knife.

If you don't mind my asking, what covers did you get on your two new Railsplitters?
 
tdkfm, i agree, to not reply to your emails regarding these serious issues is not acceptable and impossible to understand. We all want Queen to succeed but it will not happen if they fail to communicate with customers. I would like to buy a Queen knife but i won't because i do not want to be stuck with a knife that has problems. The majority of others here likely will have the same reaction. How can Queen succeed when they loose more customers every time someone posts about poor knives and no customer service ?
kj
 
Railsplitter said:
I have a 2014 Railsplitter with Walnut covers that I got in The Exchange. The action is a little gritty and not solved by cleaning and lubricating but aside from that it is a mighty fine knife. Tight blades with no rub and no play. A good solid handfull of a knife.

If you don't mind my asking, what covers did you get on your two new Railsplitters?
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I'm glad to hear that your Railsplitter came in serviceable condition. That makes me hopeful that I'll get a good one. Both of mine are Amber Carved Stag Bone. I'll post some pics once they're in hand.
 
D.B Cooper said:
I'm glad to hear that your Railsplitter came in serviceable condition. That makes me hopeful that I'll get a good one. Both of mine are Amber Carved Stag Bone. I'll post some pics once they're in hand.
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Sounds good! Looking forward to your pics and I hope they are both outstanding knives. You may have seen my pic awhile back but here it is again. The Walnut on mine is a little different than the majority of the recent Walnut covers. It appears unstained and I really like the look. There's something about the look from this angle too that I find attractive. I think it shows the robust design of the pattern better than a frontal view.

 
That pic makes me pretty excited for mine to arrive. It looks like a burly little knife, which is exactly what I want. Great covers on yours too! They definitely look unstained, more like natural walnut. I'd say that's a great score for you!!
 
I generally love the Mountain-man lockback pattern, i have two, one i bought on the forums the other new. The new one was so poorly ground i had to reprofile it with a belt sander, that D2 is tough!It also straight out of the box had a fair amount of play. The used one has only a slight but acceptable bit of play and is actually ground properly.
Sadly the only $30-ish dollar Boker-made-in-China Mountain man clone i have has absolutely no play and the overall fit and finish is well above my two Queen Mountain-man knives. So blade play is not inherent in the design.
Maybe Queen quality has improved lately i can't personally say but I won't be buying anymore Queens unless i can personally handle and inspect them first. They also kinda turned me off from D2 steel as well but thats besides the point,lol.
I've never had any problems with the much more affordable Buck or Case knives i've owned, Queen might need to learn a thing or two about quality control from its competitors.
 
This reminds me! I forgot I have a Queen Amber Bone Canoe at the factory waiting on repair (I don't know if I'm excited or sad).

I sent it over a month ago. The knife was decent but both springs say about 1/16" high on open blades (I've never seen a knife this bad). The main blade would also not close on its own. If let it (try to) close in its own it would stop with the point about 1/2" outside the handle. They said could repair it...

In all fairness I bought a Maple Burl Trapper from them about 6 years ago and that knife is one of the most perfect examples I own, counting GEC. The springs, grind, and centering are all 100%. No gaps and perfect snap.
 
Macchina said:
This reminds me! I forgot I have a Queen Amber Bone Canoe at the factory waiting on repair (I don't know if I'm excited or sad).

I sent it over a month ago. The knife was decent but both springs say about 1/16" high on open blades (I've never seen a knife this bad). The main blade would also not close on its own. If let it (try to) close in its own it would stop with the point about 1/2" outside the handle. They said could repair it...

In all fairness I bought a Maple Burl Trapper from them about 6 years ago and that knife is one of the most perfect examples I own, counting GEC. The springs, grind, and centering are all 100%. No gaps and perfect snap.
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Oh great. My lockback is in much worse condition so I am sure I will wait much longer than a month. I guess I should just kiss it goodbye.
 
I guess no one from queen reads this forum? Would be really cool if they got their quality where it needs to be and made a run of knives to sell exclusively on BF to show the quality and change people's opinions. I really want to like them, but the quality and lack of response to customers isn't helping. Their website doesn't appear to be working anymore either.
 
tdkfm said:
I guess no one from queen reads this forum? Would be really cool if they got their quality where it needs to be and made a run of knives to sell exclusively on BF to show the quality and change people's opinions. I really want to like them, but the quality and lack of response to customers isn't helping. Their website doesn't appear to be working anymore either.
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I should have just sent it back to the dealer. I really wanted this knife. I should have listened to my wife. hahaha
 
kootenay joe said:
tdkfm, i agree, to not reply to your emails regarding these serious issues is not acceptable and impossible to understand. We all want Queen to succeed but it will not happen if they fail to communicate with customers. I would like to buy a Queen knife but i won't because i do not want to be stuck with a knife that has problems. The majority of others here likely will have the same reaction. How can Queen succeed when they loose more customers every time someone posts about poor knives and no customer service ?
kj
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Maybe the problem is not with Queen and that's why they can "succeed" and stay in business. :)

Queen has already withstood a loss of talent when some of their key workers pulled out to start another company.
 
I guess if staying in business is all they are shooting for, then mission accomplished.
 
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