S&M keystone #99 scout - anyone have one?

I think I'm mainly being lured by the shield. This is the first knife that I liked that has a keystone shield. Sill up in the air, but think I'm gonna pass.

Unless of course the wind blows in the he wrong direction......

Jim
 
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Well, thanks to Derrick's carrot, I find myself the proud new owner of the S&M #99 Scout, my first new Queen made knife in years. I'm really glad I ordered one. :thumbup:

I can't find any fault with the fit and finish. The bolsters and covers mate seamlessly. The shield is set nicely, with no proud wood or metal. Walk and talk is awesome; no blade play whatsoever. I would rate the pull about a 7, not a nail breaker at all. There is a barely perceptible gap between the brass liner and the backspring, on one side. Light will come thru, and I mention it so the more particular among us can know all the details. I do not consider this, in any way, any type of defect. It doesn't bother me, but I know it would bother some.

The blade slices paper but doesn't shave arm hair all that well. Perfectly acceptable out of the box sharpness. I'm happy I didn't wait for the Indian River Jack, with its fancy super steel. I don't really feel that the increased cost would make me feel like I got "more knife", if that makes sense. :)

It is a very slim and pocketable design. Just enough bigger than the GEC 15 that you notice it. I like the 15, I just find it a little small in the hand. If they don't mind the stainless steel, those waiting on the next run of 15s might be able to scratch the itch with one of these. Its a very cool equal end cigar shape that really sets the imagination loose. I can see Grandpa picking out a similar knife at the hardware store 70 years ago, I can see me using it to clean squirrels in the coming fall. It's taking me forever to type this because I keep stopping to fondle it. :p

So here, finally, is a little feedback on the Scout (why the 99 is called the Scout escapes me, but I am a little slow at times). I'm going to be using and carrying it, so I'll report back after I use it a while. I'd say if you are on the fence, go ahead and get one. There are only 150 out there and I doubt more will be made when these are gone.

Again, thanks for the coupon Derrick, another pocket knife was just what I needed! :thumbup::D
 
Kiteman,

I do believe we need some pictures!

Jim

Jim, nothing would make me happier than figuring out how to post pics on this site, lol! I just got a new Samsung s5 thing and I'm trying to get it figured, but my tutor has been too busy to show me the ropes yet.

My 99 looks veeery similar to the photos on KSF's site tho. This knife is satisfying so far, so slim and sleek that I have to be careful of it trying to escape my pocket.

If it is, in fact, just an Indian River Jack with 420 steel, I don't think I would have had much to gain by spending more on the IRJ. I haven't handled an IRJ however, and might be way off base. :) Plus, KSF is out of IRJs anyway! Now, if the next IRJ run has a stag option, I'll be able to make a comparison. :thumbup:
 
Jim, nothing would make me happier than figuring out how to post pics on this site, lol! I just got a new Samsung s5 thing and I'm trying to get it figured, but my tutor has been too busy to show me the ropes yet.

My 99 looks veeery similar to the photos on KSF's site tho. This knife is satisfying so far, so slim and sleek that I have to be careful of it trying to escape my pocket.

If it is, in fact, just an Indian River Jack with 420 steel, I don't think I would have had much to gain by spending more on the IRJ. I haven't handled an IRJ however, and might be way off base. :) Plus, KSF is out of IRJs anyway! Now, if the next IRJ run has a stag option, I'll be able to make a comparison. :thumbup:

It really is an IRJ with 420HC steel and no pocket sheath. It is a great little knife.
 
I have the Schatt version of this knife in Redbone. It's in 420 stainless like most Schatts not the D2 Queen. However, a poster asked if the tools were D2 as well but received no answer, I suspect only the master blade is D2.

PROS

Very nice redbone, fine jigging. I got this as a present. Good snap on all blades.

CONS

The blades and tools really are flimsy thin, the awl might break off and the bottle opener & can opener do not inspire confidence with their wafer guage. Gaps and raised springs on open. Not a cheap knife to buy though.

More or less a display desk model, not a serious contender. The stainless has an odd orange-peel look to it too, perhaps the D2 is better?

As a fan of Queen knives this is far from their credible best. I just look at my D2 Whittler in WCSB and shake my head, that's a beautiful, highly finished knife that you would be proud to carry. This, is not. An RR Scout is unambiguously better.
 
The S&M #99 Scout is a seriously fine pocket knife; it's a slim fit and disappears in the pocket. Really nice fit and finish, and I love the overall look. The 420HC SS is a perfectly acceptable blade material. I do think we all get a little too wrapped up in splitting hairs on some steel, but we do like what we like. If the look and slimness of this knife is personally appealing, you could do much worse. I love it.
 
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