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Queen Cutlery #41 Copperhead Review

Thanks to Greg @ TSA knives for providing a review

Queen Cutlery #41 Copperhead Review

It's been a while since I've reviewed a knife and checking out some of the knives from Queen has been on my 'todo' list. So a couple of weeks ago, I grabbed one of the #41 Copperhead Aged Honey Amber Bone and put it to work.

Measuring 3.75" long closed, the blade is approximately 2.75" (bolster to tip) and the OAL open length comes in at just under 6.5" OAL open. Weight is a slim 2.3 oz

First thing I noticed was how comfortable it felt in my hand. No sharp corners to poke into your hand and a nice gentle swell on the back that fits you palm OR fingers for push or draw cuts. There's a great little relief area between the bolster and the kick that fits my finger perfectly.

So let's start by picking it apart. I've become a fan of the drop point, sheepsfoot and long slim spear blades as primary blades. I don't mind a long slim clip point, but it comes in behind the aforementioned preferences. The blade on the Copperhead is not my first choice as it feels like there's too much upsweep at the tip. This isn't really a criticism of the knife so much as just a personal preference. I use a knife multiple times a day to open boxes and it feels like I have to come at the box with the knife at an extreme vertical angle to make that first cut.

The second point was sharpening. I haven't bought a knife in a long time that didn't get my own touch on the edge before it got much use. Whether it was the initial grind angle or the hardness of the steel, I found I had to work at it a bit to get the edge I was looking for.

On the positive side, once that edge was where I wanted it, it held it. I'll typically use a knife numerous times every day cutting open cardboard boxes which can raise hell with a poor quality blade. The Queen Copperhead held up as good as any knife in my rotation when it came to holding an edge.

Another detail worthy of mention is the spring tension. I've had more than one knife returned because the spring was too stiff for some users. While you can "tighten" things up with an overly stiff spring, it doesn't reflect higher quality. Queen's done a great job of balancing spring strength with the different patterns. I want enough tension to hold the blade securely open, but I've never understood the necessity of making it so stiff you bust a thumbnail when you try to open a blade. In this part of the country we get more cold weather than hot and there's nothing more frustrating then working with half frozen fingers trying to pry open a 'bear trap'. The same is true if you've got wet hands.

The fit and finish on the subject knife is excellent. Pinned shields, bone handles, brass liners, end caps, HIGH polished blade, AND a D2 blade which I consider a plus. When you consider the Queen #41 Copperhead is selling for around $54.95, compared to other US made folders, that's one heckuva bargain!!

Tags: Cutley, Queen, copperhead

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on May 15, 2013 at 19:43

I have never owned a copperhead but the description of where you can hold the knife is interesting. That sure sounds like you could do several things with that knife as they relate to farm duty. Just everyday things like cutting or slicing or maybe stripping a wire. Thank you, some great insight into a pattern I have not considered.

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on May 15, 2013 at 23:42

Good review, nice knife, and gotta love that Honey Amber Bone!

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on May 16, 2013 at 9:11

Love the Amber bone on those queens. Every time I see one I think that I want to buy another one. I have been able to hold out so far....

As for why it wasn't sharp... it's a combination of both the angle and the hardness probably. D2 is very abrasion resistant (certainly by slipjoint standards) due to the large carbides in the steel. Combine this with the fact that Queen knives are known to be sharpened at a very steep angle this means that you can take a long time reprofiling.

I actually gave up on mine for a while. I've got it where I like it now though and it's very good indeed.

Just wondering....is that a sunk joint knife? (Maybe you have a picture of it closed?)

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 16, 2013 at 17:15

Alexander,

I have asked for a pic of this same knife closed. Will get it up here as soon as I can for you

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 16, 2013 at 20:56

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Permalink Reply by Alexander Noot on May 17, 2013 at 2:20

Thanks Jan. Like I thought. A sunk joint.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 17, 2013 at 14:03

I certainly appreciate Greg letting us share from his site. This review was too good not to :)

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lago on November 19, 2013 at 18:30

I agree the 41 copperhead is a very nice knife. For my money, the 41L, "Minihunter" liner lock is preferable. I like the extra security of a lock blade for any heavy work and they are limited in pretty folders (With the Queen 6L also being a very nice exception).The upswept tip makes SO much sense when you use this knife on an animal - any skinning or meat-dressing task. A modest sized pocket knife, with no sharp edges that can do very significant cutting chores. This knife has also been produced in limited numbers in very nice handle materials, pearl, Sheffield pearl, abalone. I think these two lockblades are under-appreciated by many slip joint collectors. If I was going for a traditional two-blade Copperhead, I would seek some of the older Queens in stag.

Thanks,

Dan