Want to try a new higher quality Queen knife.

[cilohaefink]

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

Jimmy;

Yes the look/feel in hand is a lot worse than I can convey in the pics, especially when comparing them to the original "good" ACSB. All I can say is, I have owned maybe 15-20 of the original ACSB, but I will not be buying any more.

 

[Fanglekai]

Here are a couple pictures to try to illustrate the ACSB on my Queen Mini Trapper that I believe is from around 2008.

Mark side

Pile side

It's been carried and used a lot so this isn't quite how it looked new.

 

[Lee48]

I have a few Queens, a couple of S&Ms and a couple of Queen-made Moore Makers. All of them were made prior to the current ownership. Other than most of them being dull on arrival, I have no complaints. They look good and take good edges once you get them sharp. They're not as tightly built but I've been more satisfied with the Queen-built knives I've bought than the two GECs I own. Personal taste, I suppose.

 

[PocketKnifeJimmy]

Jimmy;

Yes the look/feel in hand is a lot worse than I can convey in the pics, especially when comparing them to the original "good" ACSB. All I can say is, I have owned maybe 15-20 of the original ACSB, but I will not be buying any more.

Aww, man, that's too bad. I imagine that if they went to another supplier for their bone scales, it would be because of lower cost to them... But, what does saving a few bucks matter when you alienate your core buyers, and then all goes south money wise. Hope they notice that the consumer is even more observant than they could ever have imagined, and that they turn this decision around. As has been said before, this scale material has been very well received in the past, so messing with one of their strongest points, may not be in their best interest in the long run.

 

[Will Power]

This information about Queen changing the source and type of their ACSB, I find extremely disturbing. I hope this is not some ill conceived cost-cutting measure but perhaps their original source is no longer in business? As others have noted, it is an extremely attractive scale choice, rich in colour and nicely jigged. You mate this with some fine patterns and D2 choice and you have an excellent range. Compromising that, you could be holing the company under the water-line. I really hope not as many, many of my cherished knives are Queen Cutlery and the ACSB and the earlier WCSB scales are wonderful materials. I have a 48 Whittler in the WCSB (so I suppose it must be about 10 years old?) and it's a magnificent knife. No gaps, strong W&T and smooth action, even arrived sharp so keeping it that way is no chore. The best bet seems to be to look for ACSB knives (or BEM if you like it, I don't) and pre 2010, still some excellent bargains to be had and they are new/old.

But, the OP asked for new era Queen knives in particular. Well, this arrived last week to my European door, after quite a lengthy wait. Pattern No.21 Mini Muskrat in Black Bone with the Keystone (pinned) shield 3.25" with brushed stainless blades which I feel are a lot nicer than some of the oddly over polished buffed to death 'molten look' which you can see on many recent Queen stainless knives.

Good points: first-rate snap and opening action (much better than on the Northwoods Norfolk which is very tame). No blade rub, v.good on a single-spring knife. No blade play either. Generally good radiusing, well matched scales, proper fitting to bolsters.

Bad points: some gaps and a gap between scale and liner which is not pleasant. I can say that this is the bluntest knife I've ever received, you could probably lick it in all safety! Nor does it seem to want to sharpen up much either, this is sinister.

Overall an interesting compact knife and a good effort, so this bodes well if only they had the manners to send out a knife with something like and edge....

I was given a 2013 Scout knife similar to ones already shown and I'm afraid that this knife does not impress me at all. Raised springs, very weak looking punch and can opener (I think they'd break) rough cheap feel to it and I'm unabashed in saying the RR equivalent is as good or better.

But, the Mini Muskrat is nice. Let's hope I can get an edge on it!