Queen's Bird's Eye Maple

K

kidwholaughs

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
1,189
Hey Guys,

I really want a Queen Dogleg jack. However, the current production is in BEM. Can some one tell me how BEM performes as a handle scales, pros and cons? How is it different from bone? Is the wood too soft for handle scales?

All inputs welcome. Thanks

God Bless
 
I have their Cattle King Stockman in B.E.M.,I like it alot ! Maple is a hard wood and Birds Eye Maple makes good looking handles.
 
Birds Eye figure shows up in Sugar Maple most often and Sugar Maple is categorized as a hard maple. It's surprisingly strong stuff. As long as the finish is intact, it'll look great and last for you.
 
PB Wilson said:
Birds Eye figure shows up in Sugar Maple most often and Sugar Maple is categorized as a hard maple. It's surprisingly strong stuff. As long as the finish is intact, it'll look great and last for you.
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I agree. Maple wood is used for wood flooring and for bowling pins. Tough stuff!

There have been at least a few complaints about how BEM knives look "out of the box". The handles can have a dull, greyish cast to them. A few well-rubbed-in coats of an appropriate oil (I use Ballistol) can give the knives' handles a very nice, deep finish that closely resemples the "aqua fortis"-stained finishes that can be found on vintage Kentucky rifles.
 
Maple is plenty hard. The biggest difference from bone is that it will usually dent rather than chip on impact. If the wood isn't stabilized, you'll want to give it a periodic rub down with mineral oil. If you don't it will soak up water.
 
artmichalek said:
Maple is plenty hard. The biggest difference from bone is that it will usually dent rather than chip on impact. If the wood isn't stabilized, you'll want to give it a periodic rub down with mineral oil. If you don't it will soak up water.
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Good points! The difference in durability between wood and bone is an excellent incentive for making wood-handled knives EDCs. Another incentive is the fact that all but a few woods are lighter than bone. (Such woods as ebony and teak might qualify as exceptions. I don't know.)

Periodic oiling of wood handles can extend the handles' useful life. It most certainly can enhace the handles' appearance. However, the practice most likely will do little to prevent water absorption.
 
I like the look of the Quuen BEM knives. I know that a number of people (not so much on this forum but on others) have complained about the coloring. May be a matter of individual taste but I like the color and the grain - I use mineral oil on mine and like John says the oiling improves the color a bit.

Queen seems to be doing well with them - they offer more pocket knife patterns in the BEM than in the Aged Honey Amber Stag Bone. And the dealer cost on the BEM patterns is slightly higer than for the same knives in the Aged Honey.

My complaint with the BEM's is that on most of them (9 out of 10) the shields are installed very poorly with big gaps around them and/or sunk down in the handle too far. Has anyone else experienced this?
 
Probably doesn't chip or crack as easily as bone.
Not over keen on the BEM it's a bit dull as a colour really.
I'd like to get the Dog Leg Jack but wonder WHEN Queen are going to offer a new handle choice?
 
Maple is a good hardwood
Harder than Rosewood which is so popular

Not as hard as bone!

Wood is smooth and thinner than bone, so the profile of the knife is thinner
The maple darkens a little with use, oil from the hands.

picture.php
 
kidwholaughs said:
Neeman,

Is it the lighting or is that shield sunk in fairly deep?

God Bless
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A little bit too deep...

No big deal for me...
There is always some sort of plus or minus on production knives.
This specific knife has a great walk and talk!
 
willgoy said:
Probably doesn't chip or crack as easily as bone.
Not over keen on the BEM it's a bit dull as a colour really.
I'd like to get the Dog Leg Jack but wonder WHEN Queen are going to offer a new handle choice?
Click to expand...


They did make the dogleg in the original CSB that was in use from 2003 until they replaced it with the new honey amber. For whatever reason they did not carry all of the CSB patterns over into the honey amber.
 
Thanks, I've been looking for a CSB (that whitish bone) Dog Leg for ages but everywhere seems long sold out.

Will keep looking though:D
 
Awesome, how would you guys rate F&F and Walk and Talk of the Queen knives vs. Case knives? Thanks

God Bless
 
I have a BEM half congress. The shield is set slightly uneven. It is a slightly lower on one side than the other. I really hadn't noticed until I read this and took a close look at mine. I think the fit and finish is fine. Both blades have solid half stops. Snaps like a alligator. The scales on mine are figured more like a burl than the one pictured above.
 
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knifeaholic said:
My complaint with the BEM's is that on most of them (9 out of 10) the shields are installed very poorly with big gaps around them and/or sunk down in the handle too far. Has anyone else experienced this?
Click to expand...

See my posted image.
But the other Maple knives I have are OK....
 
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