How's Queen's QC these days?

Queen seems to make some quite acceptable models under contract for other companies. I have one queen made knife, it was not of their lower end range and it was of such an abysmal quality I have not purchased one since, mainly because I live in Australia and there is no facility for me to handle the knives prior to purchasing them most of the time.
I will say that I would love it if Queen made reliable knives. I like the looks of their patterns and I love the fact they come in steels that aren't 1095, as carbon and myself are on the outs.
Queen draws me in but can't make me stay and that is due solely to their fit and finish.
 
The RCC barlows with the tool steel blades are a great value. Here is a Queen/Robeson stockman from the same period that is beautifully made, easily the equal of any GEC #66, and an eighth inch longer. Plus, it has the D2 blades . . . a tremendous value.

9JG15BH.jpg
 
image.jpg Responding to the original post, of my four Queen made knives, two are 2017 production.

The work horse Barlow needed the pivot pin tightened (resulting in better blade centering )- easy with this model, walk and talk is good after cleaning, oiling and everyday use. This knife was moderately priced and while not perfect, I consider it to be a well made solid knife.

The Tuna valley Humpback whittler had no real issues. I did 'race tune' it for whittling and hand comfort. This knife was expensive and very well made.

I will continue to buy Queen knives. Michael
 
Good quality Stag and finish. Is it a recent knife? What is the steel on it please?

Thanks, Will
 
Neal, if the tang is not stamped PH-D2, then look for the words Tool Steel on either the blade etch or the box. D2 is the only tool steel they ever used, to my knowledge.
 
I was hoping to be able to give a good review on my most recent Queen purchase. I would have shared my thoughts whether they were good or bad but fortunately in this case, I can provide some favorable feedback.

This 2017 Schatt & Morgan Executive Jack arrived today and my impressions are mostly positive.

First of all, I really like the looks of the knife. It's built on the same #99 frame as the Northwoods Indian River Jack but it has a great Wharncliffe blade made of ATS-34 Stainless Steel. I would actually rather have this knife than an Indian River Jack based solely on the much lower price and the Wharncliffe blade. That's just me though.

This knife was listed as "1 of 50" on the dealer's website but there is no indication of that anywhere on the knife or the box.

Pros:
Great snap both opening and closing.
ATS-34 blade steel. I see this a "pro" but others might not.
Pinned shield. I can see the pin pressed into the liner opposite the shield.
I can easily pinch the blade open. My chipped thumbnail is from playing with some other knives.
Great looking bone and jigging.
Blade is pretty well centered but not perfectly so. No rub on either side.
No blade play at all.
Very pointy and sharp tip.
Decent edge that can be used right out of the box.
Blade seems pretty thin to me but I'm no expert on the subject. It certainly isn't thick by any means.

Cons:
The blade has that slightly gritty action that Queen is notorious for.
A little gappy in the backspring area but not too bad.

Overall I'm very satisfied with the quality of this knife. I'm pretty smitten with it actually. I should clarify that I did ask the dealer to check for "good walk & talk and a blade that doesn't touch the liner on either side".
IMG_3741.JPG
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IMG_3744.JPG
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Here's the blade centering. It looks bent in this pick but I don't see a bend in the blade in the open position.
IMG_3753.JPG
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Here I tried to capture the shield pin pressed into the liner. I had to make several attempts and this was the best pic. You can barely see it at the bottom in the blade well directly between my thumb and forefinger. I can see it plain as day when shining a flashlight into the blade well.
IMG_3747.JPG
And here I tried to capture the thin blade.
IMG_3752.JPG
 
Railsplitter said:
I was hoping to be able to give a good review on my most recent Queen purchase. I would have shared my thoughts whether they were good or bad but fortunately in this case, I can provide some favorable feedback.

This 2017 Schatt & Morgan Executive Jack arrived today and my impressions are mostly positive.

First of all, I really like the looks of the knife. It's built on the same #99 frame as the Northwoods Indian River Jack but it has a great Wharncliffe blade made of ATS-34 Stainless Steel. I would actually rather have this knife than an Indian River Jack based solely on the much lower price and the Wharncliffe blade. That's just me though.

This knife was listed as "1 of 50" on the dealer's website but there is no indication of that anywhere on the knife or the box.

Pros:
Great snap both opening and closing.
ATS-34 blade steel. I see this a "pro" but others might not.
Pinned shield. I can see the pin pressed into the liner opposite the shield.
I can easily pinch the blade open. My chipped thumbnail is from playing with some other knives.
Great looking bone and jigging.
Blade is pretty well centered but not perfectly so. No rub on either side.
No blade play at all.
Very pointy and sharp tip.
Decent edge that can be used right out of the box.
Blade seems pretty thin to me but I'm no expert on the subject. It certainly isn't thick by any means.

Cons:
The blade has that slightly gritty action that Queen is notorious for.
A little gappy in the backspring area but not too bad.

Overall I'm very satisfied with the quality of this knife. I'm pretty smitten with it actually. I should clarify that I did ask the dealer to check for "good walk & talk and a blade that doesn't touch the liner on either side".
View attachment 802963
View attachment 802964
View attachment 802965
View attachment 802966
Here's the blade centering. It looks bent in this pick but I don't see a bend in the blade in the open position.
View attachment 802967
View attachment 802968
Here I tried to capture the shield pin pressed into the liner. I had to make several attempts and this was the best pic. You can barely see it at the bottom in the blade well directly between my thumb and forefinger. I can see it plain as day when shining a flashlight into the blade well.
View attachment 802969
And here I tried to capture the thin blade.
View attachment 802970
Click to expand...
Great review, Rick. Looks like a nice knife. ATS - 34 makes a nice blade.
 
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