Queen D2 Congress vs. S.M. ATS34

K

klattman

Joined
May 5, 2004
Messages
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Which is the better value?
The SM is 2x the price (can be had for less maybe), but they are both made by queen, I presume.

So the difference boils down to steel performance. Is Ats34 performance (edge holding and rust resist) worth the price increase?

Seems to me that the D2 may in fact be harder?


Queen D2 large congress.
http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=QN32CO

S.M. FileWire Ats34 Congress
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...att_morgan_file_wire_four_blade_congress.html

Cumberland had a great deal on the SM, but someone got them all first.
 
My opinion, and we all know what thats worth, if you can swing the $ go with the S&M. Nothing against the regular model, but the S&M is sooooo much better looking. As far as performance goes, you will probably gain some edge holding with the D2, but in day to day use the difference will hardly be noticeable. If you're not going to use the knife and are concerned with collector value, then the S&M wins there also.
 
OTguy said:
My opinion, and we all know what thats worth, if you can swing the $ go with the S&M. Nothing against the regular model, but the S&M is sooooo much better looking. As far as performance goes, you will probably gain some edge holding with the D2, but in day to day use the difference will hardly be noticeable. If you're not going to use the knife and are concerned with collector value, then the S&M wins there also.
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I want something to use, and am concerned about corrosion and edge holding only...if the S&M is only better because it looks better, then I have my answer.
 
The cobo model is the way to go if you want a hard user, no arguments there. D2 is considered a carbon tool steel, but with a higher chromium level than most tool steels, 12% I think. 13% chromium is considered to be stainless and ATS-34 falls into that catagory. So as far as corrosion is concerned, the mirror polished ats-34 has a edge over the D2, but its not a big one. Unless you plan on getting really corrosive stuff or saltwater on your knife alot, you will be ok. I don't think the difference in edgeholding will be all that great, maybe someone that has both a Queen D2 and a ats-34 S&M will chime in and tell us if there's a big diff between the two. I'd like to know myself, since they are both made by the same company.
 
OTguy said:
The cobo model is the way to go if you want a hard user, no arguments there. D2 is considered a carbon tool steel, but with a higher chromium level than most tool steels, 12% I think. 13% chromium is considered to be stainless and ATS-34 falls into that catagory. So as far as corrosion is concerned, the mirror polished ats-34 has a edge over the D2, but its not a big one. Unless you plan on getting really corrosive stuff or saltwater on your knife alot, you will be ok. I don't think the difference in edgeholding will be all that great, maybe someone that has both a Queen D2 and a ats-34 S&M will chime in and tell us if there's a big diff between the two. I'd like to know myself, since they are both made by the same company.
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Yeah, I have a couple of Queen D2s already and they get freckles on them from being in my pocket. I guess it's not a big deal. I can get two of the D2 congress for one of the S&M... :D
 
I have the Queen D2 congress in carved stag bone and it's a great user....a bit of a handful, not exactly easy on the pocket.....but I just cut up a bunch of corrugated cardboard boxes with one of the sheepfoot blades......it went through a ton of corrugated with ease.

I have carried a Schatt ATS-34 doctors knife in the past.....my only comment is that the ATS-34 was MUCH MUCH easier to sharpen to "scary sharpness".....the D2 is legendary for being tough. I never used the ATS-34 knife long enough to test the edge holding, though.
 
Well I'm sure it's a bit of work to get the blades sharp, BUT with four sharp blades you can go a long time between sharpenings. :D
 
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