Queen Cutlery

Rob47

Rob47

Joined
May 4, 2013
Messages
280
Greetings folks,
I’m going to ask what I initially thought would be a simple question with fairly simple answers. I now think neither the question nor the answers are likely to be that simple. Give me your thoughts and opinions about when you think Queen Cutlery, from their earliest days to their demise, produced their very best products. Consider if you will, design, innovation, steel, other materials, production, finishing, quality control or anything else that informs your judgment.

I’ve had an on again off again attraction to Queen Steel knives since about 1960-61 when my grandfather gave me a lightly used medium, yellow delrin Queensteel stockman. I suspect he gave it to me because it was so damn hard to sharpen, but I loved that knife. Two years later he asked if I still had it and offered to trade a knife that had belonged to my great grandad for it. I did, and I did and I still have that knife, but have always regretted giving that stockman back. After Grandad died, a cousin ended up with that knife and I never saw it again.

Over these many years I’ve owned more Case knives than Queen, but now in my “twilight” years I’m considering going on the hunt for that “one that got away.”

Thanks for your thoughts.
Rob
 
I like Queen knives from the Bill Howard era. That's roughly a 20-year period from the late 1980s until 2006 or so. The Queens I've handled from this time are every bit the equal of a GEC. In some cases, better.

For example -

33661282226_c83d911aa3_b.jpg


Genuine nacre covers, flush pins, and mirror polished blades that still maintained their crisp lines.
 
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Thanks for the responses.
A fish hunter, two questions. Did Queen make folding knives during this period and how does one identify Queen knives from this era?
 
Kamagong,
That certainly appears to be a cut above most production knives these days.
Is that one yours? Very pretty.
Rob
 
Rob47 said:
Thanks for the responses.
A fish hunter, two questions. Did Queen make folding knives during this period and how does one identify Queen knives from this era?
Click to expand...
Yes. Folding knives and sheath knives, I'm pretty sure the blades will all be 1095, at least until WW1 era or shortly after? I'm not sure when stainless was first used, I think it was in the late teens or early 1920's.
The tang stamps will be different from the post 1933 knives.

knowtracks knowtracks Nope. Queen. The original Queen was older than S&M by a few years. I'm not sure when S&M became a sub-brand of Queen, other than probably during, or after the depression. Before the great depression, both were independent companies, and not related to each other.
 
afishhunter said:
Yes. Folding knives and sheath knives, I'm pretty sure the blades will all be 1095, at least until WW1 era or shortly after? I'm not sure when stainless was first used, I think it was in the late teens or early 1920's.
The tang stamps will be different from the post 1933 knives.

knowtracks knowtracks Nope. Queen. The original Queen was older than S&M by a few years. I'm not sure when S&M became a sub-brand of Queen, other than probably during, or after the depression. Before the great depression, both were independent companies, and not related to each other.
Click to expand...

What?? o_O
Perhaps you might look at the History of Queen Cutlery web site....... Here is a link to the Historical Documents page

https://queencutleryhistory.com/index.php/historical-documents/

Queen City Cutlery incorporated in 1922 and shortened it's name Queen Cutlery in 1946


Dave

PS If you have some other information I would be very interested in knowing it!
 
Rob,
If that stock knife is the one that's the apple of your eye why not keep on the lookout for another? Obviously it was Queen steel, or 440C, from your description of harder to sharpen. The big auction site would be a good place to start. Also on the Queen history site there are 100's of pictures of pocketknives, it might help you narrow your search.

Dave
 
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I have not seen a Queen branded knife I was terribly impressed with made before the ACSB models in the 1990's. They made tons in other names that were outstanding from the mid-1980's into the 2000's. Can't say is if I have seen a Queen knife in a condition to appreciate them made before the 1960's.

Regarding the age of the Queen name, I have not found Bernard Levine's guide wrong on many occasions. He says Queen City Cutlery originated @1920 and bought S&M a decade later. But did not become Queen Cutlery until 1945. So, I highly doubt there will be found any Queen brand prior to WW1.
 
QUOTE=kamagong; "I like Queen knives from the Bill Howard era. That's roughly a 20-year period from the late 1980s until 2006 or so. The Queens I've handled from this time are every bit the equal of a GEC. In some cases, better.

For example -

33661282226_c83d911aa3_b.jpg


Genuine nacre covers, flush pins, and mirror polished blades that still maintained their crisp lines." - QUOTE
I am the proud owner of that Pearl knife!! (Thanks kamagong kamagong !!)
Queen made knives for many Names! Winchester and Robeson are two of them. These occurred long after those companies stopped knife production!!
 
Titusville, PA in the mid-late 1800's earned the nickname of "The Queen City of PA" due to it's rapidly rising economy, and the population explosion due to oil wells, railroads, and timber mills. There were more millionaires per capita in Titusville than anywhere else on the planet at that time.

When the ex S&M employees started up a rival knife company, that is how they chose the name.
 
Been very fond of the D2 knives made with various scales WCSB, ACSB, Zebrawood even the BEM and Horn can be OK. These knives go from late 90s to about 2009, after that, quality became dubious.

To the OP I think Dave knowtracks knowtracks knows a lot ;):thumbsup: His is a good idea, go and seek out the knife of your childhood on the Bay and elsewhere, you know it makes sense :)
 
Rob47 Rob47
Watch This Space...i'm away from home until the 5th of Jan*...have one you might be interested in ...yours if you like it...on me.
In Meakos Mighty Magnanamous New Year Yahoo Pesky Pandemic Porch Pass Visit Voucher....or something...:)
Cheers.

*would someone please remind me?
 
My second stockman was a Queen BB5 from 92. BBstands for burnt bone. Unfortunately it shows a few minor cracks and the bone has gotten blue discolorations from my jeans
 
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