Want to try a new higher quality Queen knife.

Here is my 2013 Scout with stag covers.





I am usually not a fan of stag covers, but I like both the look and feel of the stag on this knife. There is a bit of blade rub on the spear main caused by how it lays against the punch and against the can opener. The action of the knife is okay, about on par with a decent Case. I like the long pull on the main blade, but the way the blade curves inward to not strike the punch does not make for instinctive slicing. The real issues are the pins. They are rough, especially on the bail and on the shield. By rough, I mean it snags in the pocket and when I run a finger over the bail. I also caught the shield pin when cleaning the factory shards out of the knife and lubricating with mineral oil. The bottom of the frame and the back springs also catch when a finger slides across the bottom of the knife.

The knife is reasonably sharp, as I cut myself on the can opener blade when getting ready to take these pictures. Never felt the blade cut my index finger. The cap lifter, while much shorter than the Rough Rider's, works much better.

All in all, I am not thrilled with the knife, but I cut something (me) with it. Thus, it is a keeper. I think I am sticking with GEC in the future for my more pricey traditional knives.
 
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This one came to me as a warranty replacement. I'll leave that story out of this thread. It's a solid knife with half stop and nice walk and talk. The edge was able to shave hair and it does hold it's sharp well. The scales are their amber stag. The dye was so fresh when I got it that some of the the color rubbed off onto my rag. I have several older Queen and S&M knives by older I mean circa 2000-2005. This medium coke bottle is on par with them.


2004

 
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I have 5 queen made knives and none of them are perfect, but they are good value for the money. I use my knives and the 1095, ats34 and 420hc all hold a good edge. GEC patterns don't float my boat like queens.
 
Been using the Scout since it arrived, and it is starting to grow on me. For some reason, I cannot seem to stop handling it -- and using it. It even got used for this morning's coupon cutting and breakfast instead of my usual GEC #73. The Scout may not be perfect, but it is a dandy user.
 
I have a queen canoe, and it is a great all around knife for a good price. D2 steel, good fit and finish. As you probably have read, it needed sharpening but I like to sharpen so no problems there.
 
knarfeng said:
Ask me after Sunday. Getting a new 2014 Queen Rail Splitter for Father's Day.
Click to expand...

knifeswapper said:
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.
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OK, so it's Sunday and I've finally got my mitts on the new Queen Rail splitter that I bought from Mike a couple of months ago.

I would say that the only thing lacking is a smooth action, and that may come in time as I carry it. I cleaned it out with WD40, then applied my solution for a sticky action, a Teflon Wax concoction I use on my bicycle chains, Rock N Roll Gold Chain Lubricant. Having used these, the action is much improved, but still not what it should be. We'll see how she does over time.

I dunno about a new source for amber stag bone. To my eyes it looks pretty similar to older examples. Here's a comparison between the railsplitter and a Canoe I bought from Mike. IIRC it's a 2008, but Mike can correct me if I am wrong:

IMG_5706_zps2976afe8.jpg


My other observations on this 2014 Queen are:
  • The blades all had a good working edge right from the box. I will still fuss with them, just like I do with every other knife I buy. But these were usable right from the box. Good show.
  • And each blade was sharp all the way out to the tip. (This has been a major issue to me.
  • No gaps between the bone and the bolsters.
  • No blade rub.
  • Springs are acceptably flat in closed position and when each of the blades is opened. I think I might be able to see a small bit of shadow, but I can't feel it with my thumb.

I dunno. I find it acceptable at the price I paid for it, which was $75. In comparison, a similar sized three blade GEC in 1095 runs about $90.

I chose the Railsplitter because of the price, the specific blades offered (clip, pen, and a robust coping), the specific pattern (love the equal end design), the blade alloy, and the overall fit and finish. Since I'm just a user rather than a collector, I find the price vs. what-I-got ratio of the Queen to be acceptable and am pleased with the knife. If you were a collector, you might not. The action is rough.

IMG_5707_zpsfdb08fd8.jpg
 
Apologies for lack of clarity... The acsb I speak of has only been seen so far on a batch of 19acsb (trapper) modes; but the factory said it would be the new standard. The 63's do look nice. Glad you liked it.
 
Frank--That is a good looking knife. How is the pull on the blades? I like a light-medium pull as I have flimsey thumb nails.
Harold
 
While I don't have many Queens, I am really pleased with this Schatt and Morgan teardrop I picked up in a trade a while back. Ive carried it some and am really impressed with the fit and finish on this one. The blade really has some gator snap in the closed, half stop and open positions. Most impressive.
IMG_2419_zps40d3b7ce.jpg
 
Frank,
I have not purchased a Queen in a while
The Railsplitter has caught my attention
Thanks for the feedback

Mike,
I got from you the two years of the Heratige series
From the first year, I have a jack in bone, which is lovely
The last year of the Heratige, the quality was rougher, but the 4" stockman in ebony and carbon has mellowed in and I cannot see the imperfections if they are there
Holds a wicked edge and is a great user for $65
Can't complain
 
bucksforus said:
Frank--That is a good looking knife. How is the pull on the blades? I like a light-medium pull as I have flimsey thumb nails.
Harold
Click to expand...

My nails are messed up also, so like you, I prefer a mild pull. This is a bit harder than I prefer, but I consider it OK. Spritzing it with WD40 and the Rock N Roll Gold helped considerably.

Most of my other Queens are a bit easier to open than an SAK, call them a 4.
This Railsplitter is maybe a bit harder than an SAK. Call it a 6. I think over time as it smooths itself out, it will turn into a 5, about like the main blade on an SAK Tinker.
 
Here's another Schatt & Morgan Teardrop. Buffalo Horn with an Abalone Keystone Shield.


 
Thank you everyone for you responses. I'll definitely buy a Queen sometime in the future. The coke bottle tear and drop are especially interesting.

When I buy one I'll ask the seller to inspect it for major flaws first.
 
sogflash said:
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.
Click to expand...

I have lots of Queen and Schatt & Morgan knives
Most of them high quality
Why not just go for an older knife

If you want a good Queen or S&M
Contact Mike at Collectorsknives and discuss with him what you want
He will hand pick something very good
And his prices are also very good

http://www.collectorknives.net/
 
Good feedback/opinions on the new crop of Queen knives, guys... much appreciated. I have a couple of old Queens (Queen City and Queen Steel) and have been wondering about the quality of Queen's current products.
 
knifeswapper said:
Apologies for lack of clarity... The acsb I speak of has only been seen so far on a batch of 19acsb (trapper) modes; but the factory said it would be the new standard. The 63's do look nice. Glad you liked it.
Click to expand...

I just got two Queen #48 ACSB whittlers with the "new" rough handle material. I am less than impressed. I will get pics posted as soon as I can get them.
 
I also like the D2 steel and have been really considering ordering the railsplitter. I see a little variation in the jigging though.
The other I am considering is the S&M heavy duty jack with clip and pen blades.
 
Queen/Schatt & Morgan Dawn of a New Era Knife



wlp0z9.jpg




2urwdn5.jpg


I purchased a few GEC company products, so they are represented in my knife collection. That said, and though they are a well made product, they just don't call out to me like some of Queen company's knives do. Maybe it's a combination of Queen's real history, their designs, their feel... but whatever it is, I like Queen more. I surely am hoping the Daniel's family can keep this firm running... but I guess in the end, que sera, sera. My collection interests have evolved in many ways... and am atleast glad to have some very nice S&M and Queen specimens within my collection.
 
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Here are some photos that show the "new" ACSB handle material. These two 48 whittlers are fresh from the Queen factory.

My opinion - and these differences may not come through in the photos - they have taken what I thought was one of the nicest handle materials offered by any USA knife manufacturers and turned it into junk. Very rough, no finesse to the jigging or shaping, coloring not as vibrant. The knives overall are much chunkier than the previous examples, and the handle material is so rough with the deep grooves and sharp pointed ridges that I think it would hurt my hand in actual use.

Is the quality going up under the new owners? Not so much, IMO. In addition to the decline in the handle material, the edge grinds on these two are as blunt as any made before, at least on the main clip blades. And as I said, both are more "chunky" - not hafted in all the right places like they used to be. Still solid knives good snap. Blade action on both is gritty.
 

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cilohaefink said:
Here are some photos that show the "new" ACSB handle material. These two 48 whittlers are fresh from the Queen factory.

My opinion - and these differences may not come through in the photos - they have taken what I thought was one of the nicest handle materials offered by any USA knife manufacturers and turned it into junk. Very rough, no finesse to the jigging or shaping, coloring not as vibrant. The knives overall are much chunkier than the previous examples, and the handle material is so rough with the deep grooves and sharp pointed ridges that I think it would hurt my hand in actual use.

Is the quality going up under the new owners? Not so much, IMO. In addition to the decline in the handle material, the edge grinds on these two are as blunt as any made before, at least on the main clip blades. And as I said, both are more "chunky" - not hafted in all the right places like they used to be. Still solid knives good snap. Blade action on both is gritty.
Click to expand...

It's hard to tell by the pics, but I will take your word on it.
I only have two Queens with that bone/jigging style and color (on a toothpick and a copperhead), and I gotta say, I love it's look (it's not the newer stuff). I agree that this bone/jigging/color combination has been a great thing from Queen, and hope they realize that true knife folks (which are the types to buy knives such as Queen) will likely notice the difference, and it will hurt sales if not up to par. These scales are usually found on their bread and butter basic line, and hurting sales in that area could prove to be fatal for them :(

I sometimes wonder if companies, such as Queen, browse forums such as this one. I would imagine that it would be a great tool in checking the pulse of some of their staunchest supporters. You obviously can't please everyone, but things may be nipped in the bud way before things may get ugly for them... just say'in ;)
 
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