Send Back or Fix Myself

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Let It Bleed

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May 13, 2007
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While I'm interested in opinions regarding more than one specific issue I have now, I would still be interested in what y'all have to say. I'm just getting into traditional knives and they really are an entirely different animal than the modern Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, etc., knives.

I received a Queen Curly Zebra African Hardwood #49CZ Cattle King, and I love it except for the fact that the shield was not attached to the knife. I have the shield, as it was in the box. I realize this would be a simple repair if it happened a year or two down the road. I can't tell you the disappointment I felt.

For those whose opinion it is to fix it, please provide some specific advice (e.g. what type of glue, do I need to remove old glue, if so how, how to ensure the shield is straight, if sanding is necessary how to get in a small indent w/o mucking up the edges, etc.) on exactly how to do it. I realize it's not rocket surgery, but I don't want to mess it up. And I realize that those who have more experience than I have learned many useful "tricks of the trade."

I've read many of the "unrealistic expectation" threads and have gleaned some knowledge of what is defective and what is cosmetic. But it would be nice to know what to expect from different brands. For example, I had no idea how sharp the edges of the blades were when closed on Queen knives. I discovered this was normal after stumbling upon an article online about Queen knives.

Thanks in advance.
 
For something like that I would attach it myself. Get the best two part epoxy you can find. Make sure you clean out any of the old glue used and put it back in with the epoxy. I really really hate glued in shields. Its a shortcut that has become accepted and cheapens the whole knife. Otherwise Queen make some really good stuff.
 
I thought the zebra wood model were supposed to have pinned sheilds. Guess not
 
I'll second what Dave said above, with one additional caveat. You don't need much glue at all. I had a Buck knife that I re-glued the shield on. I put one drop of glue in the recess, pushed the shield in, and the glue oozed up and out of the cavity on to the cover of the knife. It made a mess - think about it … it's glue so you don't just "wipe it off" without smearing it around some. Then you use some kind of solvent to try to remove the glue, but that dulls the finish … at least it did on my knife.

In hindsight that was a pretty stupid way to go about it. If I had to do it again, rather than putting a whole drop in the recess, I'd just lightly coat the back surface of the shield and the bottom of the recess and go from there.

Sorry to ramble. Long story short: Don't use too much glue. ;)
 
jth250 said:
I thought the zebra wood model were supposed to have pinned sheilds. Guess not
Click to expand...

Interesting, that's what I thought until Queen sent me a variety of shields (third attempt after e-mailing them with precise information as to the lost shield I needed...) one of these was the latest style and it certainly has no mounting pin. They are all glued it seems -and not that well in my experience.
 
Thanks for the replies. It looks like there was a little glue. Is a pinned shield just that- held in place by a pin(s)? Or is it fitted into the handle with the scales actually creating a lip around the shield?

I have 2 fears: 1) that I don't get good contact betwen shield and wood and it falls off and is lost; and 2) as mentioned, I get glue all over the place, or attach it without a good 12 and 6 o'clock alignment.
 
Get some good 2 part apoxy/glue. Clean the shield with acetone (nail polish remover), clean the hole where it goes same way. Put some pin holes in the wood behind where the shield will go or try to rough up the area. A good glue/epoxy will hold for a long time if prepped properly. It's about the easiest fix you can do to a knife outside of oiling your joint. :-)
 
It shouldn't take a lot to hold it, as long as you get the old stuff off. For something like a shield it really doesn't take a lot to hold it in place.
Once you get the shield in place ,you should be able to rotate it a small amount if need to straighten it.
If you use two part epoxy, mix a little bit up an a small piece of cardboard. Then put a very small amount on the tip of the toothpick and use that to put the epoxy on the back of the shield. You can do the smam thing if you use super glue, or something similar.That way you don't have to worry about a big blob coming out of the tube.

Worst case scenario, if it doesn't hold, and you do lose the shield, you can always send it back to Queen.
 
Gel-type superglue works like a charm for this. I used it to replace a fallen-out shield on one of my Case folders in stag (brand new at the time); no issues since. The gel won't immediately seep into porous handle material, so that'll help it bond much more strongly. Also doesn't run all over the place. Likely just a single drop will work; certainly no more than two. Very quick & easy repair, this way.


David
 
Let It Bleed said:
Is a pinned shield just that- held in place by a pin(s)?
Click to expand...
Yep, it's exactly what it sounds like. A pin that goes through the cover and is usually visible on the inside of the liner where it's peened in place.


There's plenty of good advice here already. It should be a quick and simple fix as long as there is good contact between the two mating surfaces and your adhesive of choice isn't too old.
 
Thanks for the help. I'm definitely going to do it myself, as the dealer told me that it would take a while, because they would have to swap out the knives completely and they don't have one in stock.

Additionally, if I do it right, it may actually stay put and not fall out again!

I just had one of those gut reactions that happen when you buy something brand new and want to admire it for a bit before putting it to use but are denied by some minor shoddiness.
 
Let It Bleed said:
Thanks for the help. I'm definitely going to do it myself, as the dealer told me that it would take a while, because they would have to swap out the knives completely and they don't have one in stock.

Additionally, if I do it right, it may actually stay put and not fall out again!

I just had one of those gut reactions that happen when you buy something brand new and want to admire it for a bit before putting it to use but are denied by some minor shoddiness.
Click to expand...

I definitely understand your disappointment. I would have sent it back completely, but that's me. Please update with how it goes, I am afraid a knife I am going to dye soon's shield will fall off with the hot water.
 
The big box hardware stores carry Loctite Gel Ultra Super Glue (gray bottle with blue top).. I use it to do arrow fletchings and that stuff is super tough! About $4 a bottle and it sets up very fast (about 30 seconds). Good prep and use that and you'll be good to go.
 
I don't think your disappointment is unreasonable at all. On the bright side though, it should be easy enough to fix. Best of luck with the repair!
 
Let It Bleed said:
Thanks for the help. I'm definitely going to do it myself, as the dealer told me that it would take a while, because they would have to swap out the knives completely and they don't have one in stock.

Additionally, if I do it right, it may actually stay put and not fall out again!

I just had one of those gut reactions that happen when you buy something brand new and want to admire it for a bit before putting it to use but are denied by some minor shoddiness.
Click to expand...

I've read of other brands having the same problem, so it's not just them. Unfortunately not many companies pin their shields any more. As long as you are happy with the rest of the knife, no reason to send it back. After you repair it, it won't take long, and you will probably forget all about it
 
Use a pick and scrape out the glue in the zebra wood scale. Scrape off the glue on the shield. I like to sand the back side of the shield a little bit to give a rougher surface for the glue to stick too. I then clean everything with some rubbing alcohol or gun scrubber and let dry. Finally, add a drop of gel super glue and drop the shield in.

Works good. I might call let let Queen know, just to help improve their Q&A, but I might not worry about it.
 
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