Queen Mountain Man vs GEC Pioneer: Which One?

They are equally tough, built of much the same materials. Basically, the differences are:

The Queen is slightly larger than the GEC.
The GEC uses 1095 carbon steel, while the Queen comes in D2.
GEC is available in a wider variety of handle covers.

You can't go wrong with either. Personally, I prefer the Queen for its harder D2 blade steel and larger size.
 
I thought they were both 4 1/2" closed? I haven't used a Queen version so I won't comment on which is tougher. Just wanted to say that the GEC #23s were also available with 1 or 2 blades, in 440C, as a slip joint/linerlock/ and fixed blade, as a jack and as the "bull lock" (not pictured),


 
I agree that both are built equally tough, but Queen's use of D2 and the fact that I can pinch it open , even with gloves on, make it a better work knife, for me. The GEC 23 is a bit slimmer, when single-bladed, but I can't feel the difference in my backpocket or in a belt sheath.
 
I have both a single blade 23, and two slipjoint Mountain Man models, one zebra wood and one amber carved stag bone. They are roughly the same size. After getting the 23 pull tension reduced, and using the zebra wood Mountain Man, the Mountain Man wins out for the ability to pinch it open. The MM was offered in 1095 at one point.
 
My mistake, I was confused initially, thinking the comparison was between the Queen MM and the Missouri Trader (which is GEC's rendition of the similar Bullet lockback), in which case there is a size difference.
 
Since both knives were designed and the originals built by the same man, there is indeed a remarkable similarity.
 
Pull wise, my ebony 2 blade is a bear to open but the ruby red one is actually pretty easy. I've posted before regarding the #73 with lanyard holes being easier to open than those without and it holds true for my 2 ebony #23s with lanyard hole.
 
The design of the 23 is actually based off the old Remington 1123 two blade trappers, but I think Bill came up with a great design on the single blade 23. I would really like to see a lockback version of the 23. I know they built the bull lock, but I would like to see an honest to goodness lockback. Is the size prohibitive for a lockback model, similar to the 42 Missouri Trader or 72LB?
 
silenthunterstudios said:
The design of the 23 is actually based off the old Remington 1123 two blade trappers, but I think Bill came up with a great design on the single blade 23. I would really like to see a lockback version of the 23. I know they built the bull lock, but I would like to see an honest to goodness lockback. Is the size prohibitive for a lockback model, similar to the 42 Missouri Trader or 72LB?
Click to expand...


The liner lock (23L) has "bank vault" lockup. Best I've ever seen and easy to unlock.
 
Relee1 said:
I'd recommend the MM by a large margin. 23 is also a sturdy, well made knife, but is the ultimate bear trap nail breaker.
Click to expand...

Not all 23's are nail breaker/bear traps. I have RA and kinda brittle nails and my 23L (Thanks Duane!) is easy to open/close.
 
Relee1 said:
No lanyard hole on mine.
Click to expand...
And is it easy or hard to open? I'm just trying to get more info to confirm my suspicion that the single blade GEC #23s with lanyard tubes are much easier to open than the ones without (that has been my experience with the #23s and #73s).
 
2Dead said:
Is it one with a lanyard hole?
Click to expand...

Yes!

23Lbranch_zps1f98c02c.jpg
 
Thanks!! As far as I can remember, everyone who has a #23 or #73 with the lanyard tube reports that they aren't hard to open, especially compared to versions that do not have it. It makes it easier to recommend a specific version to folks who what that knife but don't want to fight the knife every time they open it.

One more thing to add... Imho, the Tidioutes are easier to open than the Northfields because the Tidioutes do not have that swedge like the Northfields do. It makes the nail nick a little deeper and therefore easier to open.
 
The only thing I can add, is if you're looking at the MM lockback and not the slipjoint , my lockback opens like it's on bearings. Very smooth.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top