Verdict on Tuna Valley knives

netguy1999

netguy1999

Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
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I'm still on the learning curve with traditionals, so forgive me if this may have been answered before. I'm curious as to the quality of Tuna Valley knives. I understand that they are made by Queen. Does this mean that they have the same reported quality issues that Queen has? I really like a couple I have found online, but I'm hesitant based on what I've heard about Queen vs GEC. Of course there are a great many GEC knives that I like, but availability is a bit of an issue. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
I have a couple queen knives and they are great. If your looking for a perfect collector knife then queen might not live up to your expectations. As a user I find little fault with them.


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I really like the TV line. I own several. Most I bought in person from the Daniels during a knife show, or from others at shows that had them for sale, so I was able to hold/see the knife in person before I purchased it. Most do not come razor sharp, but do have a good edge on them. Some particular patterns have slight flaws that seem common across the board, such as the secondary blade on every Railsplitter pattern I have held has a slight side-to-side wobble. Also the Teardrop pattern blade when closed barely kisses the inside of the backspring, which shows a tiny mark on the blades edge. I'm sure if you sharpened the blade a few times this would be gone.

So far every one I own has tremendous quality handle materials (stag, horn, or ivory), very nice attention to detail on the bolsters, swedge, etc. All the ivory handled ones have fluted ivory, which I believe is a unique trait only to the Tuna Valley series. I was told by the Daniels that every knife is inspected before it leaves the factory. I have heard of some being returned for various reasons, but so far I'm a happy camper with what I have.

1 reason I like to collect them is that they are always made in very short quantity runs. Once a pattern is made, it will never be made in that exact same pattern/blade/handle combination again. They also only release 2-3 patterns a year, so it makes them desirable as they aren't flooding the market. Prices are higher than most for a collectible knife, but I think that the quality and low quantities justify it. Second hand ones seem to hold about 80% value of original sales price, if they aren't used.

The 2009 and 2010 knives were made by GEC, the 2012 were made by both GEC and Queen, and all from 2013 and after have been made by Queen only.

Regarding the Tuna Valleys, if the blade is etched "EDC", that means that it was a rejected knife when inspected. These knives are still fine for users, but don't hold any collectibility value. They may have a handle crack/flaw, or bad blade wobble, etc. They also were not sold with a tube, or CoA.

Hopefully that is helpful.
 
The first Tuna Valleys produced by GEC were excellent, athough they were made in short numbers and are scarce. I could never get as excited about the later Queen made versions; I assume they are nicer than their current production run, but Queen lost me back about 2005, as the QC seemed to drop off.

JMHO FWIW :)
 
I have only one TV, and I love it. 2012 knife, made by GEC on a #72 lock back frame....some of the nicest stag I've ever seen, with engraved bolsters. I would rate it as one of the finest made knives I own.

I was unaware that Queen was making the TV knives now. Sorry to hear that. I would say that if you could find a GEC made TV, you will be happy with it.
 
Tuna Valley was a Daniels family trademark as I understand it. When they purchased Queen and left GEC, it was only natural for Queen/Schatt & Morgan to manufacture the new Tuna Valley knives. I would assume that the QA/QC is much better than your typical Queen slip joint. The Queens have been steadily improving under the Daniels family.
 
I bought one of the first Tuna Valleys from Queen, I forget what it was, about the size of the Mountain Man, directly from Ryan at the Chesapeake show. I traded that, and this year I got a red stag camp knife from Ryan and Ken at the only Maryland knife show left, the Mason Dixon Knife Club show in Hagerstown MD. I really liked the other models I saw. I had a stag slipjoint Mountain Man from Tuna Valley, which was nice, but not as nice as the camp knife. Great quality on the camp knife.
 
They are some of the few traditionals "factory made" with modern stainless steels-but the price tag has always been a little high for that,to me. Really pretty knives tho, beautiful quality covers,and what looks like nice machining.
Thanks, Neal
 
The first traditional knife I ever baught was a Tuna Valley Bullet End Jack. It was pretty bad. I didn't know anything about traditional pocket knives at the time. However I did know the one I had in my hand was not worth anything near the $125 dollar's I'd spent to get it. The good news was the dealer I used gave me no trouble at all. He even payed the shipping cost to send it back. Sice then I've heard alot of people swear there's great Queen knives out there and when I look at them at te dealer's I buy from they always look so good and affordable that I'm still very tempted to try again. Im sure I will some day lol.
 
The Trestle Pines Grand Portage is made by Queen. It is my first 'premium knife' if you consider $120 to be premium. Most I ever paid anyway.
I was initially concerned about the caplifter. The screwdriver is slanted and the back spring not very strong. After carrying it for awhile I've come to the conclusion that this was by design so one doesn't over torque with the screwdriver and possibly loosen the pins.
With that consideration, I think Queen did a great job. The main blade has great walk and talk and the back surface is smooth. I can't feel any ridges between the liners and back spring like the subtle ones on my Case knives. I understand in recent years that Queen has put more effort in QC, though their lowest end knives are still suspect.
 
NetGuy, if you have an specific questions about a particular pattern, I can maybe help out. I have a lot of the more recent patterns, depending on the handle material you are looking at.
 
I find Queen knives to be the best made production slipjoints on the market, for using. The Tuna Valley knives I've handled have all been superbly made. I've never bought one, as I'm not a fan of stainless steels, but I've handled about 20 or so. The quality of GEC is exaggerated on these boards, and the issues with Case and Queen exaggerated in my opinion. Whether you should purchase a Tuna Valley or hold out for a GEC would probably depend more on which pattern you're interested in and whether you want carbon or stainless steel than which factory each line comes out of.
 
I'd normally agree with you Jack. I have a hard time paying north of $100 for any production knife. However, a quick look at the exchange will show that many people looking to sell GECs are asking quite a bit more than that Tuna Valley would cost. Depending on what pattern he's after a Tuna Valley might not only be easier to find, it'll be made with better materials and still cost less. Many times, GEC's business model does not make them a viable option if you're looking for a specific pattern. Personally, I'd probably go with a Queen or S&M, but limited to a choice between Tuna Valley and GEC I don't think price is as big a differentiator as it first appears.
 
Cory Hess said:
I'd normally ...them a viable option if you're looking for a specific pattern. Personally, I'd probably go with a Queen or S&M, but limited to a choice between Tuna Valley and GEC I don't think price is as big a differentiator as it first appears.
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Oh definitely, definitely some gougers on the for sale sections. but no more price discussions before we both get in trouble haha :D. and you are right, the QC issues of both companies either good or bad, are exaggerated. Sure i have more queen/s n m knives that have had issues but its not the end of the world. Some will flip out, if its 2 degrees off center. I believe I had a chance to see some of the Tuna Valley knives during the rendezvous when Lyle drove to the show in pleasantville. There weren't too many there cause we went the last day before the picnic, but I still wouldnt have bought it off the table even given the chance to examine. However each companies' offerings does influence my purchasing.
 
Thank you, all, for you input. Tne model that has caught my eye is the TV Gunstock Jack ($170). There seems to be a lot of differing opinions out there. I may hold off for now and see if I can't get one the TC Barlow that should be out soon. But any thoughts on the gunstock would be greatly appreciated.
 
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I purchased the large S&M Gunstock about a year ago and it is flawless. It is a hefty knife, but I prefer the larger ones generally.
 
I have one of the gunstocks in ivory. It has really nice matching handles with fluted ivory, and the embellished bolsters. Handles meet the bolsters very tightly at all 4 locations. Both blades on mine have a very strong snap open and closed, and strong snapping at 1/2 stops. No blade wobble at all, and when opened fully the back of the tang is flush with the backspring. I would say the pull on the main is probably a 5, the pen blade would be a 6. As usual, the blade is not hair shaving sharp, but it's not bad. The grinds on mine are very even and centered from both sides.

Not sure what else to say about it. Let me know if I missed something that you wanted to know. Here is a picture of mine.

 
I don't own any Tuna Valley knives but I've been wanting one. About the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is that Queen already offers some of the patterns, like the Railsplitter and Gunstock, in D2 which I prefer over 154CM.

I spoke with Ryan Daniels at a show early this year. He had one of the Tuna Valley Railsplitters with him and it was very nice. Had some nice Stag and appeared to be well made. I bought a Queen Railsplitter from him instead because it was a better value and had the blade steel that I prefer.

I suppose I'll probably end up with a Tuna Valley knife one of these days. If I do it will be one of the newer ones, not a GEC made TV since I'm already familiar with GEC. Those TV Teardrop Jacks look real nice.
 
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