Queen Mountain Man-comparisons (pics) and opinions needed

[tholiver]

Hey guys i'm think i'm finally going to buy a Mountain Man. Was trying to find a 1095 steel version but looks like i'll have to settle for the D2 version. Anybody have any good size comparisons pics, next to maybe a buck 110 or 112? Any feedback on the design, either the lockback or slipjoint version would be welcome. I really want the lockback version but i've heard too many stories about blade play so i'm on the fence regarding lockback vs slipjoint. Anyway, let fly!

 

[Modoc ED]

Have you given any thought to the GEC Northfield or Tidioute Mini Lockback Hunter. They are comparable in size to the Queen Mountain Man.

The pictures aren't great but here's one of each.

The biggest difference between the Northfield and the Tidioute is that the Northfield has a swedged blade with a high gloss finish while the Tidioute has a non-swedged blade with a satin finish (which I prefer). BOTH knives have 1095 steel blades. There is NO blade play in either knife.

Price wise, I think the GEC and Queen knives are pretty comparable with the GEC knives being a bit more expensive. The nod for fit and finish probably goes to GEC but the fit and finish of most Queen knives is nothing to scoff at.

 

[black mamba]

The GEC lockbacks are great, but they are 3/4" shorter (closed) than the Mountain Man is: 4-5/8" to 3-7/8". The GEC Pioneer #23 pattern in a liner lock would be their closest offering to the Mountain Man. They run 4-1/2" closed. Northfield or Tidioute will get you 1095 steel. GEC brand (acorn shield) uses 440C.

 

[samhain73]

I'd like to see a pic of the 73 compared with a Buck 112.

 

[ndeezl]

I'm only posting so Roland and Oy can reunite.

ETA: Usually with this size of knife I would prefer a lockback over a slipjoint. However with the GEC models shown above (IMHO) the fit and tolerances are so tight I'd feel comfortable using it in just about any application. To the OP if possible I'd try and get your hands on each version you're looking at and see what feels best.

Nathan

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Moore Maker makes a 'locking single trapper' that's the same size as the Queen Mountain Man, but Moore Maker uses the 1095 steel. The one thing to know about Moore Maker, is that some, but not all, of their knives have had some fit & finish issues. They rely on several different manufacturers to produce their knives (Queen, Bear & Sons are the two that I know of so far). The Queen-made knives I've heard are pretty good. The Bear knives have had some issues with fit & finish. I think the 'locking single trapper' may be based on, or perhaps identical to, the Queen pattern for the Mountain Man. If Queen produced it, it should be a decent knife.

Edited to add:
The Moore Maker is available with bone and stag handles (maybe Delrin too).

 

[John A. Larsen]

This week I am EDC my 1095 Mountain Man with stag grips, carry it in a Bob Schrap belt pouch. It is a lockback with absolutely no blade play. Locks up very tight, yet if my hands are clean I can pinch the blade and thumb it open. I like the thicknes of the stag slabs, feels good in my hand. I also have a D2 version in red bone, with thinner slabs, and it locks up almost as tight as the 1095 version, with no side by side play, just a hint of up and down play in the blade. I carry the red bone Queen in an old leather flap pouch I picked up at a gun show, that was made in Germany. I have been very happy with both Queens. John

 

[Blues]

My Queen "mountain man" in D2 and carved stag bone locks up like a vault with no discernible play at all. I know some have had issues but I have been very happy with mine.

 

[DennisStrickland]

i have several of the queen mt. man in lock & not. very tough attractive knives. i also have several locking & nonlocking mdl 23 gec pioneers. all my pioneers are 1095 & the queens are d2. the pioneers are a little more money but i like the carbon steel better. both are tough hi- quality products & will take a lot of heavy use. the d2 will lose the real sharp edge a little faster but after a point the queens do'nt seem to dull any further. also the d2 is fairly stain proof. i prefer the patina of carbon field knives & the feel of 1095 on the diamonds. also 1095 just has a better bite into materials for me. [i.m.o.]

 

[cj65]

Hey guys i'm think i'm finally going to buy a Mountain Man. Was trying to find a 1095 steel version but looks like i'll have to settle for the D2 version. Anybody have any good size comparisons pics, next to maybe a buck 110 or 112? Any feedback on the design, either the lockback or slipjoint version would be welcome. I really want the lockback version but i've heard too many stories about blade play so i'm on the fence regarding lockback vs slipjoint. Anyway, let fly!

I have both at home. I collect and have too many to carry all on a regular basis. I will snap a photo of the two to show you size difference as soon as I can get to it tonight. I like mine, but more for an outdoor experience i.e. hike or camping vacation rather than edc.

I hope that helps. They are both good knives, the Queen is probably at least 2x more expensive. I can provide great arguments for both knives. I am blessed to own them both. If I was to edc, they would be on my belt in a sheath, both are too big for a comfortable pocket carry.

As I sit and play with them, the Buck, which is older, much older, is nice and smooth, and since I really have not broken in the mountain man, it sticks a little when trying to close the blade. There may need to be a little cleaning of any grit or compound left from finishing, it is possible. However, both are great, they provide a nostalgic sense of pocket knife ownership in my 20's (the 1980's). If I had to give one away and keep one, I would keep the Queen due to the edge retention of the d2 steel. I also prefer bone to wood scales. So, I hope that helps. I tend to buy Queen chestnut bone d2 blade steel anything. I have to be careful and not get to close, or I end up giving into my knife knut primal urges to acquire.

 

[tholiver]

Thanks for all the replies and info guys!
:thumbup:
The GEC and Tidioute knives look great, i'm going to have a good look at them as well!
As i said i prefer 1095 over d2 but as i don't currently own any D2 knives so i'm willing to give it a chance.

 

[tholiver]

I have both at home. I collect and have too many to carry all on a regular basis. I will snap a photo of the two to show you size difference as soon as I can get to it tonight. I like mine, but more for an outdoor experience i.e. hike or camping vacation rather than edc.

I hope that helps. They are both good knives, the Queen is probably at least 2x more expensive. I can provide great arguments for both knives. I am blessed to own them both. If I was to edc, they would be on my belt in a sheath, both are too big for a comfortable pocket carry.

As I sit and play with them, the Buck, which is older, much older, is nice and smooth, and since I really have not broken in the mountain man, it sticks a little when trying to close the blade. There may need to be a little cleaning of any grit or compound left from finishing, it is possible. However, both are great, they provide a nostalgic sense of pocket knife ownership in my 20's (the 1980's). If I had to give one away and keep one, I would keep the Queen due to the edge retention of the d2 steel. I also prefer bone to wood scales. So, I hope that helps. I tend to buy Queen chestnut bone d2 blade steel anything. I have to be careful and not get to close, or I end up giving into my knife knut primal urges to acquire.

Thanks man the pics are very helpful!
So the Queen is bigger than the 112 but almost but not quite as big as the 110.
Any blade play in yours?
I have to admit the blade play rumors were what held me back from buying before. But the consensus here so far suggests blade play is not that much of a worry.

 

[midnight flyer]

As i said i prefer 1095 over d2 but as i don't currently own any D2 knives so i'm willing to give it a chance.

If you buy a Queen knife with D2 blades, you will probably be very pleasantly surprised. It sharpens easily, holds an edge very well, and is pretty stain/rust resistant. I started with one, but now have three Queens in D2.

I have been working inside a house putting up moldings and repairing cabinets the last two weeks. There is no a/c in the house, and I am soaked with sweat through my clothes in about an hour. My Queen Barlow (in D2) is in and out of my pocket all day, and the biggest indicator of being soaked in hot sweat all day was a few days ago when I noticed a few rust spots, the biggest about the size of pencil dots. They easily came off with my fingernail.

D2 is good stuff!

Robert

 

[cj65]

I have no blade play in my Queen d2 knives. I own or have owned (gave away my canoe to a very good friend) 3 of that series. Fit and finish is great on all 3. They are not perfect, but for 50 to 70 dollars, you get a great quality slipjoint, or lockback in this case. I have not had any rust issue with my D2 as of yet. I have not sweated them up though, they stay relatively dry.

 

[zrfunited]

I own a queen mountain man in d2. Unfortunately mine has alot of blade play in it. I am about to send it in to queen to see if they can't tighten it up. So soon I will know just how good their customer service is. The knife, other than the blade play issue, is awesome. Classic style, very functional blade profile, and queen d2 is some amazing stuff. It's hard as hell and I hate reprofiling it, but once you have that bevel set to where you want it, it will hold a great edge forever.

 

[midnight flyer]

I own a queen mountain man in d2. Unfortunately mine has alot of blade play in it. I am about to send it in to queen to see if they can't tighten it up. So soon I will know just how good their customer service is.

zr, did you have problems with play after using it, or when you first received the knife? This knife seems to be made for a lot of years of real work, so I am wondering where it is in that time stream. Also, do you use it regularly, and if so, for what purpose?

I am wondering as that knife is getting too hard to resist as a daily work knife for me.

Hopefully you will find Queen's customer service as good as I did. They were a little slow, but did the job just fine.

The knife, other than the blade play issue, is awesome. Classic style, very functional blade profile, and queen d2 is some amazing stuff. It's hard as hell and I hate reprofiling it, but once you have that bevel set to where you want it, it will hold a great edge forever.

:thumbup::thumbup:

Robert

 

[joe-bob]

I've been eyeballing the Queen Mountain Man models myself. I'd prefer a GEC lockback based on the #23 Pioneer in the same way as the current mini-lockback is based on the #73 Scout. (That would make it a #22.)

There may well be one eventually, but it might not be anytime soon. GEC keeps these things very quiet.

In the meantime, I may still get a mountain man.

 

[Invoice]

ZR, not to high jack this thread, but...
I have Mountain Man that had a lot of play. I sent it to Queen and it came back real quick. Pretty tight, buffed and sharpened.
Neal

 

[Noddy]

Mountain Man is great knife - one of my favourites. It looks like the Moore Maker in stag and 1095 is still out there

 

[Zuchus]

Here's pictures of my Queen Mountain Mans in stag/1095 and jigged bone/D2 along with the venerable Buck 110.