Tell me about Queen Cutlery

A

Avg_Joe

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Feb 23, 2008
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I just found out about their stuff be searching the web. They look like a quality knife company and I like some of their more tradition designs. Would they be on par with like a Spyderco or Benchmade in terms of quality? I really like the look of their Mountain Man lockback.
 
Not sure that Queen has any comparisons with Benchmade or Spyderco....more like Schrade or Case. From what I've read, they have good fit and finish, but the final grind angle on the blade is lacking, which shouldn't be that big of a deal if you know how to sharpen. FWIW, I believe that Ontario Knife makes Queen.
 
I bought a Queen Copperhead Amber Bone in D2 a few months ago. The blade needed work, but I figured it would after researching such as you are. After a few visits with my DMT diamond stones it's all good! Very nice fit and finish, sturdy, well made, etc. Just had to get it sharp. I have fun with that anyway. I am glad I bought a Queen! Good luck, Matt
 
red96ta said:
Not sure that Queen has any comparisons with Benchmade or Spyderco....more like Schrade or Case. From what I've read, they have good fit and finish, but the final grind angle on the blade is lacking, which shouldn't be that big of a deal if you know how to sharpen. FWIW, I believe that Ontario Knife makes Queen.
Click to expand...

Queen and Ontario are owned by the same company.
 
After many years of buying Queen knives, I will no longer buy them online. To many quality control issues have started showing up in the last 2-3 years, that I want to handle the actual knife before purchasing.
 
I can't say anything about the quality control issues, but i've purchased two Queen mini-trappers form www.cumberlandknifeworks.com without any problems. I'm no expert but they seem top notch to me.

I will however attest to the horrible angles the blade edge comes with from the factory. As previously mentioned, this shouldn't be a problem if you don't mind sharpening the blade.

As far as traditional folders go, i wouldn't hesitate to mention Queen Cutlery as one of the better makes.
 
Your going to hear varrying openions on this fine old company. As mentioned on the Queen side they should be compared to other traditional companies like Case. I've read a lot of bad things here and the competeing forum to this one about Queens but I have never gotten a bad one myself. I only have one Case left the one my Grandfather left me when he went to be with the Lord about 18 months ago. I now buy and collect Queens exclussively. The quality of my better Queens just blow my mind that a production knife can be made to this high a standard. The other good thing about Queen is they like to experiment more with higher grade steels then other traditional knife companies like D2, ATS-34 etc. They have contracted out for several other companies so you'll see many dfferent names on Queen Cutlery made knives like Winchester, Marbles, John Primble, and Robeson. Most of my Queen Cutlery knives are under the original name prior to being bought out by Queen that being Shatt & Morgan. I think I'm pretty nit picky about quality on knives! Most of my hard use EDCs are Benchmades and Spydercos. When it comes to my slip joints and I do use some others but if I'm not in uniform there is always a Queen made slip joint on me and usually some stockman or cattle knife pattern.
 
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Be prepared to rebevel the factory grind on the D2 blades.
I start with an extra course DMT and work down to extra fine.
I end up with a very sharp blade that lasts.

I have a lot of Queen knives.
I find the quality and F&F to be a constant high standard.
A wide selection of patterns, and wood or bone scales that are well finished.
I really like D2 as a blade steel.
They are tough knives, users.
The prices are good.

I recommend Queen knives.

(www.cumberlandknifeworks.com have a good selection at excellent prices)
 
I have a Mountain Man in 1095 and it has been terrific. Good fit and finish ran it on some ceramic sticks and it is razor sharp. Here is the picture.

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I only own one, bought a couple years ago. Blade and function are fine, but the fit and finish of the handle scales were awful. Should have been easily detected by any sort of quality control procedures, but, was not.

Not gonna' be buying any more Queen knives.
 
Note about Queen: they are owned by Ontario. Ontario is currently screwing RAT, a small knife manufacturer, and thus they have an almost total boycott from me (there are some things only Ontario makes, like Air Force survival knives and the Old Hickory line.)

A good option for traditional folders and fixed blades is Case, although they don't have as much carbon steel as some other companies. I'm also fairly sure that the Moore Makers with composite handles are made by Bear, not Queen. Bear also makes a line of traditional pocketknives, but I've heard that the quality is spotty. They are made in the USA though. Boker makes good pocket knives in carbon steel with varieties of handles.

There are also lots of USA Schrades out there.
 
I have a very nice honey bone Muskrat from Queen. F&F is good. It came dull as an antler. Same thing with a MOP Doctor's knife also.
 
I have a number of Queen knives in many patterns. Fit and finish is generally pretty good. Some came with decent edges, some came with obtuse edges that I had to reprofile. I would recommend them, I like them a lot.

I have seen two mountain man lockbacks (one is mine). Both had a little blade play, but it wasn't a deal breaker. This seems to be a common problem with this particular pattern.
 
Well, from this thread, they seem pretty hit and miss. I think I'll put my money elsewhere. I'm looking for a high quality traditional folder like my dad gave me when I was a kid. I'm only 23 now but I have since lost that knife. It was an Uncle Henry. I might just have to get another Uncle Henry, then again, if they aren't made in the US, I'll probably stick with Case.
 
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