Want to try a new higher quality Queen knife.

sogflash

sogflash

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Aug 28, 2011
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Most of my traditional knives are GEC's, and now I think I should try something else.

I've been reading that the quality on some Queen knives haven't been so good, but that they are getting better now.

I'd like to try one of the newly made ones, but this is a new territory for me and I have no idea which is old and which is new. There are no stores around for me to inspect knives in so I have to buy them online.

Since this is new to me I hope you can help me figure it out.
 
I'd drop a line to Mike (knifeswapper); he deals with a lot of Queen products as part of his business and could probably give you an idea of what's good and what to steer clear of.
 
I'd like to hear some of the answers to your question, but I can't help unfortunately.

One knife that has tempted me is the Schatt & Morgan and Joe Pardue collaboration hawkbill. D2 and stag, that's a winning combination. I have absolutely no use for a pruner, but the pictures that are posted here have me hankering for one. I don't relish the thought of sharpening a D2 blade with that blade shape though.

- Christian
 
I bought a Queen Rail Splitter # 63 in Honey Amber Bone. Great knife I have really been happy with GEC and just bought this on the spur of the moment, have been carrying it ever since . The D2 is a bit harder to sharpen than 1095 but nothing that a bit of patience can't sort out. So pleased with it that I am going to try a Schatt &Morgan 042140 File & Wire Pint Gunstock Bone, ATS-34 will be a new steel to try out as well.
 
I was in the same boat as far as having multiple GEC's and wanting to give other brands a shot. I went to the Oregon Knife Show this last April and was all prepared to buy me a Queen knife or maybe even 2 of them from the booth they had setup there. Their booth was the first one in front of me when I walked through the door and I handled everything they had there on display and wasn't impressed at all at least not for the price they were asking. Fit and finish wasn't as good as my GEC's and they just didn't feel smooth when they opened/closed. To me they felt more like the quality of a good Case knife which isn't a bad thing but when they are selling them at full msrp and GEC is there selling theirs at discounted prices along with Charlie having a booth there I ended up coming home with more GEC's. :) As a side note one of the Daniels was actually there at the booth, Courtney I think?, and the entire time she was chatting on her cell phone taking a personal call and didn't even acknowledge my dad or me. Not a huge deal but was kind of the deciding factor on wandering over to the GEC booth and of course Chris with GEC was a pleasure to chat with like always.

If they make a pattern that you like then I would highly recommend Canal Street Cutlery. I have been thoroughly impressed with the CS knives I have and highly recommend them.
 
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The new humpback Whittler has shown to have issues with it and it is a new production. Usual blunt Queen edge, but the main blade has much play in my model- the twin springs are thicker than the master blade so there is side to side play. I was fairly disappointed as it is a nice knife as well. Also two emails in the last two weeks are so far unanswered, I do not usually have time in the day to call. I've had decent luck with past Queen quality excepting for butter knife sharpness, I wish you luck! Not to downplay Queen, just to give my only recent product/customer service experience.
 
When you mention the butter knife sharpness, that's what most of my GEC's have been like fresh out of the tube.
 
I did forget to mention my Queen # 63 was blunt when I got it, but then all my knives have been blunt on arrival.
 
Look for a Queen Dan Burke collaboration knife. These for the most part are similar quality to the Case/Bose collabs. But usually at a much lower price point. BG-42 steel is common.


EDIT: Did not see you want NEW. Sorry. Still...
 
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Yeah I would shoot for a Dan Burke collaboration knife. I have his small barlow in D2 and the small abalone handled doctors knife in BG-42.

Both are some of the best constructed knives that I own.
 
I have plenty of experience with Queen and Schatt&Morgan slipjoints.
Every single one has been a disappointment and I will only buy their vintage stuff now.
I haven't purchased any since the Daniels family took over, but all 3 of my Queen and my 1 Schatt&Morgan examples were tossed in a drawer and will be gifted to someone I don't like.
The blades are extremely thick, the reverse worm groove bone looks and feels aweful, it's way too heavy and wide for a whittler, and the factory edge looks like a toddler was playing with the grinder. Then, there's the fact that the walk+talk is the laziest and most inconsistent action I've ever seen.
No more for me.
Someone chime in with some reviews about their new stuff please?
 
JustinR said:
Yeah I would shoot for a Dan Burke collaboration knife. I have his small barlow in D2 and the small abalone handled doctors knife in BG-42.

Both are some of the best constructed knives that I own.
Click to expand...

I had to send my Dan Burke Mini Trapper back to the factory because of blade wobble. I guess it's the luck of the draw.
 
HuntBomb said:
I have plenty of experience with Queen and Schatt&Morgan slipjoints.
Every single one has been a disappointment and I will only buy their vintage stuff now.
I haven't purchased any since the Daniels family took over, but all 3 of my Queen and my 1 Schatt&Morgan examples were tossed in a drawer and will be gifted to someone I don't like.
The blades are extremely thick, the reverse worm groove bone looks and feels aweful, it's way too heavy and wide for a whittler, and the factory edge looks like a toddler was playing with the grinder. Then, there's the fact that the walk+talk is the laziest and most inconsistent action I've ever seen.
No more for me.
Someone chime in with some reviews about their new stuff please?
Click to expand...

You definitely must read Mike Latham's (Collectorknives) comments on this webpage....here's the link.
http://www.collectorknives.net/news...-ugly-todays-american-pocket-knives-part-iii/
 
Ask me after Sunday. Getting a new 2014 Queen Rail Splitter for Father's Day.

A couple of things I will say,
  • I've bought about a dozen Queen knives. I'm not unhappy with any of them. The top section of my regular carry list is populated mostly with Queen knives.
  • Nobody does Amber Stag Bone as well as Queen.
  • Queen D2 -- I love the stuff and much prefer it to 1095. Though it does take a bit of work to put a proper edge on a Queen factory sharpened blade.
  • The average Queen is $20 -$30 less that the average GEC. My knife budget is limited and that lower price helps stretch it.
  • You gotta try a Queen Canoe. They are out of production. Get one.
 
I would not say that the "newer" stuff is improving as a whole. To me the #63 first off is just not the same look/feel as the old railsplitter, secondly was very gritty and had a newer acsb slab that looked more rough rider. The acsb (amber carved stag bone) has been supplied by culpepper in the past, but I suspect they have found a new source. Patterns are generally a little rougher cut and the action is stop and go with a real gritty feel. Even though the action is a little off-putting, the very recent gunstock (f&w pint version) was a nice little offering. Blades have good finish and slabs were surprisingly well done.

If you want something that you won't be disappointed with, after rubbing on GEC's for awhile - go back in time a little.

The large congress has a very smooth action, and none were smoother than the QCCC models.

QCML32WB__49970.1380673388.1280.1280.JPG


The Heritage series, in my mind, was the point in time where quality started to dwindle. But the first couple series had some nice patterns that are very functional, but not quite the spit-shine we were accustomed to - and little cosmetic issues here/there.

Most of the pre-2010 stuff is really nice.

SMJVO43150BR__19151.1380816254.1280.1280.JPG


I would say just pick a general pattern style you want and talk to the seller about the quality. Most sellers don't want to send you something you are not going to be tickled with.
 
I am a sucker for the Scout models, so I decided to take a chance on a sale-priced S&M stag "Scout". I may end up disappointed as I am going to compare it to my $13 Rough Rider version of the pattern. Something that is not an issue on a $13 knife will be an issue on a $100 knife.
 
I've had uncommonly good luck with the Queens I have. Only had to send two back (out of eleven purchased) and both were replaced with new knives. A couple had minor problems, which I fixed myself and three or four of the ones I own are even better made than most of my GEC knives. I don't, however, have any made since the change in ownership.
 
I've had a mixed bag with Queen/S&M knives. Bought a mountain man in stag that I loved, used it for several months and put it back in the box. Pulled it out a month later and the backspring had fallen apart. Sent it to Queen & was less than impressed with the timeline on repair (six months).

Recently, I purchased a humpback whittler in stag, and I must say, it is now the knife that sees the most pocket time in my collection....just a beautiful and well made knife. Perfect size for the pocket. May be a little gritty in the action....not a complaint really. Still, a terrific knife.

So there you go. If you buy a Queen/S&M, you roll the dice a little, but IMO, it's worth the risk.
 
I just throw in another (brand)name: Tuna Valley Knives

I have one - a real big brute of a pocket knife, but very very well made and finished. It is made by GEC but sold under the brandname Tuna Valley. This could also be an option.

But I´m also interested in the answers on your question.
 
Relee1 said:
If you buy a Queen/S&M, you roll the dice a little, but IMO, it's worth the risk.
Click to expand...
Naw, a time or two I've won shooting dice, and I once met an honest stickman. . . . I've never seen a Queen-made knife worth keeping, and in my experience, the "factory warranty" was worth less than a politician's promise.
 
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