Slipjoint quality control

[FLymon]

Of the USA made stuff GEC is without a doubt the most likely to deliver a quality product.
If you can get Buck off the shelf in Australia I would definitely look into that. If not I would consider them #2 as far as getting what you pay for when buying blind. Buck are a little utilitarian though compared to the others. Not a bad thing, but nothing new there.
Case, and Queen including all their house brands (unless and until they prove otherwise under new ownership) are too risky to buy sight unseen IMHO, you are gambling when buying these brands.

 

[Hammer67]

I should qualify my previous statement - the 4 GECs I currently own have been excellent and without issue. I only own one Queen, and it is also excellent, though it needed some edge work to be serviceable. The two S&Ms I have are nice looking, and I got them for a really good price, but I would have been pretty disappointed (poor blade alignment on both, edges dull as butter knives...) had I paid normal retail for them. Especially when compared to something comparably-priced from GEC.

 

[Bob W]

Which brands have the most consistent quality control in terms of walk and talk?
If you had to take a gamble on a knife company, which would be most likely to impress?

German-made Boker pocketknives.
Pre-2004 Schrade Old Timers.

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P.S. If I ever have the chance to take a non-work trip to Australia, I'm definitely planning two days in the Blu-ees. Drive through there all the time, but never have time to sight-see much except out the windshield.

 

[Hammer67]

German-made Boker pocketknives.

X 2. For the money, I've been consistently impressed at the attention to detail and quality of my Boker "Tree Brands"

 

[Sharpnessis]

Man, I was really hoping to see someone say how great canal street Cutlery was! No one? I thought those would be pretty great?

 

[silenthunterstudios]

Have they made stockmans?

 

[Bob W]

Man, I was really hoping to see someone say how great canal street Cutlery was! No one? I thought those would be pretty great?

I only have three. The first is a swing guard - not horrible, but not up to the quality of similar knives from AG Russell (Boker) or Case. The second is their ring lock, and the quality is excellent. Lastly I have one of their fixed blades, and it's beautiful and well-made.

 

[PaulBosley]

Man, I was really hoping to see someone say how great canal street Cutlery was! No one? I thought those would be pretty great?

I haven't seen a canal stockman but they may have made one. All the CS I have ownd were really nice but for some reason I can't put my finger on I never keep them

 

[Fanglekai]

I have a Queen amber carved stag bone stockman that's rather nice. Seems well put together, the scales are beautiful. Has a light pull on the main blade but it has a good snap upon opening. Of course it came butter knife dull but for $55 I couldn't complain too much.

I have a couple GECs and they were close to flawless. The only issue with both was out of box sharpness. Easily remedied.

The one Case I have is a Prime Stag trapper. It's quite nice but the blades aren't centered so they rub on the liner. I got it for a pretty good price and I don't want to lose the stag on them by sending it in and having them swap it for a new knife, so I don't mind a tiny bit of rubbing near the tip.

Overall from what I've read over and over on here, I'd say GEC is probably the least gamble when buying sight unseen, if you exclude Victorinox, that is. I am always amazed when I pick up my Vic Farmer or Tourist. They're both more or less flawless and they came sharp. If I could get a Tourist or Farmer in stag I'd be quite happy.

 

[akadave2]

I really love the Queen and Schatt & Morgan patterns. They are just classic! I also love all the outsourced knives made by Queen. What I dont like is that 1 in 3 knives will have a wobbley blade. I cant say if this will be a pattern with the new owners but right now its a problem and a particularly irritating one to me. An otherwise beatifully made knife with a wobbley blade...just sad...

 

[Bob W]

I really love the Queen and Schatt & Morgan patterns. They are just classic! I also love all the outsourced knives made by Queen. What I dont like is that 1 in 3 knives will have a wobbley blade. I cant say if this will be a pattern with the new owners but right now its a problem and a particularly irritating one to me. An otherwise beatifully made knife with a wobbley blade...just sad...

I only have a couple modern Queen folders, namely a Schatt and Morgan File & Wire and a Heritage, and the quality is excellent. However, given the frequent complaints I've read here on BladeForums I wouldn't describe their quality as "consistent," and I would not recommend them to someone ordering from overseas.

Their traditional fixed blades on the other hand, I've purchased several and absolutely would recommend.

 

[black mamba]

Have they made stockmans?

Yes, they have. Same pattern as the Queen #9, but with long bolsters and 440C steel.

 

[HuntBomb]

The GEC #66 Calf Roper (stockman pattern) was my 1st GEC and has been a perfect companion.
Since then, I've picked up 16 more GEC slipjoints and have yet to find a problem with any of them that couldn't be easily fixed on my own...and im NOT what you would call a handyman.
I've had issues with newer Case, Queen/S&M, and Boker.
Victorinox is another company that has excellent QC.

 

[fatcorgi]

German-made Boker pocketknives.
Pre-2004 Schrade Old Timers.

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P.S. If I ever have the chance to take a non-work trip to Australia, I'm definitely planning two days in the Blu-ees. Drive through there all the time, but never have time to sight-see much except out the windshield.

I'm a native of that region to. I miss it sometimes, but when I am visiting I do miss the somewhat easier access to good, economical knife purchases

 

[Sharpnessis]

Have they made stockmans?

On a website they have it listed but none are in stock

 

[okbohn]

I will vouch for the Canal Street ones. They are now one of the most consistent, smooth and generally beautiful knives I have seen. GEC is also tops.

 

[akadave2]

I will vouch for the Canal Street ones. They are now one of the most consistent, smooth and generally beautiful knives I have seen. GEC is also tops.

I have yet to try a Canal Street. Not a big fan of their shield. But a good knife is a good knife. Do you know if they pin the shield?

 

[2Dead]

I have yet to try a Canal Street. Not a big fan of their shield. But a good knife is a good knife. Do you know if they pin the shield?

I don't believe it's pinned.

 

[TomTerrific]

I have yet to try a Canal Street. Not a big fan of their shield. But a good knife is a good knife. Do you know if they pin the shield?

Go to the DropPointHunter site and ask him the question directly.

 

[pilgrimuk]

One option might be the TAYLORS EYE WITNESS "Australian Stockman", made in UK, but available in Australia (there's a surprise! ).

Just google it, should be easy to find. At least this way, if it's not up to standard, it'll be easier to send back. Heard quite good things about Taylors Eye, but never owned one.

Good luck! hth, John