knowtracks
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2006
- Messages
- 3,881
I finally got some time to take a few pics.:thumbup: Because I haven't seen much discussion about the Annual Reproduction Sets that Queen puts out under the S&M line and because these are the knives I collect
I thought this was a good topic.
I know many of you don't care for the steel used by Queen for the price. And to tell the truth it isn't my 1st choice either. But for the most part I don't use these knives I just have these sets on display in my home & office.
This set from 1997 isn't my favorite as far as handle color or jigging goes, but the combination of patterns is what I find interesting. I know these sets are aimed squarely are the collector and I've wondered why other companies don't also put out annual sets.
According to David A. Krauss Ph.D. author of American Pocketknives this particular set was the last produced with Queen steel (440A), before they went to 420HC. There were 450 sets made that year, tied for the 4th lowest number of sets produced.
This set contains 5 knives in dark blue jigged bone & 1 in pearl.
The pearl is a 3 1/8" Dr. knife with spear point & long pull main blade.
The Wharncliffe Whittler is also 3 1/8" with 2 small pen secondary blades. No wedge or tapered backspring.
The Congress Whittler is 4" with a Sheepsfoot main & clip & pen secondary. Again no wedge or tapered backspring. Half stops.
The Canoe has lined, slanted bolsters. A long pull and is 3 5/8" closed.
The Barehead Teardrop is .... just cool at 3 3/4".
And the English Jack at 4 1/2" has a long pull on a Clip blade in place of the more typical spear blade, with a lined bolster. Also half stops.
As most of you know the fit & finish & workmanship is excellent for a production knife. But once again the thing I really like about the Annual Series & this set in particular is the patterns displayed. With a few exceptions Queen hasn't include the same patter more than twice in the 19 years of this series. I really like they way they mix things up with different blades yet still building them the traditional way. Some day I would just love to get back east & take the Queen tour during their show. I think it would be very cool to go through the historical building & see knives being made the same way they were over 100 years ago.
Dave
I thought this was a good topic.I know many of you don't care for the steel used by Queen for the price. And to tell the truth it isn't my 1st choice either. But for the most part I don't use these knives I just have these sets on display in my home & office.
This set from 1997 isn't my favorite as far as handle color or jigging goes, but the combination of patterns is what I find interesting. I know these sets are aimed squarely are the collector and I've wondered why other companies don't also put out annual sets.
According to David A. Krauss Ph.D. author of American Pocketknives this particular set was the last produced with Queen steel (440A), before they went to 420HC. There were 450 sets made that year, tied for the 4th lowest number of sets produced.
This set contains 5 knives in dark blue jigged bone & 1 in pearl.
The pearl is a 3 1/8" Dr. knife with spear point & long pull main blade.
The Wharncliffe Whittler is also 3 1/8" with 2 small pen secondary blades. No wedge or tapered backspring.
The Congress Whittler is 4" with a Sheepsfoot main & clip & pen secondary. Again no wedge or tapered backspring. Half stops.
The Canoe has lined, slanted bolsters. A long pull and is 3 5/8" closed.
The Barehead Teardrop is .... just cool at 3 3/4".
And the English Jack at 4 1/2" has a long pull on a Clip blade in place of the more typical spear blade, with a lined bolster. Also half stops.
As most of you know the fit & finish & workmanship is excellent for a production knife. But once again the thing I really like about the Annual Series & this set in particular is the patterns displayed. With a few exceptions Queen hasn't include the same patter more than twice in the 19 years of this series. I really like they way they mix things up with different blades yet still building them the traditional way. Some day I would just love to get back east & take the Queen tour during their show. I think it would be very cool to go through the historical building & see knives being made the same way they were over 100 years ago.
Dave
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