I am also impressed that Queen is apparently expanding the workforce.  Good work!

You're welcome everyone! In addition to Nichole, we have hired 5 more people as well! So things are going great! 

Ashley,

That's really great news to hear about the new-hires at Queen. Thanks for keeping us abreast of the happenings. Have a great day!

Cheers!

Ashley, with regard to the emphasis on quality, please assure me that there are no plans to move to St. Marys, PA next to Straub's Brewery where there is free beer to be had.

We want to wish Wayne Gray a very Happy Retirement! After 21 years here at Queen, he is retiring today! Wayne has been a very devoted employee and has always went above and beyond what was asked of him. 
Queen is not the only retirement Wayne has celebrated in his life. Wayne joined the United States Air Force in October of 1970 and retired in November of 1991. 
So, from everyone at Queen, Thank You for serving our Country and our Company!! 
HAPPY RETIREMENT, WAYNE!!!!

Two great careers, Wayne!

Hey Ashley,

I hear there are going to be some great things happening at rep weekend.  Anything you can share with us?

I understand that during rep weekend (Oct 11-13) there will be some Queen made knives that have been done up by Michael Prater.  Best Part??? Tickets for the chance to win are FREE to anyone that attends rep weekend and visits either Queen or Michael Prater!

How about it ya'll, meet us at SMKW?

Yes Jan that is true here is the ad!!

Well you just cant beat that!  Either a Schatt & Morgan OR a Colonial Coon customized by Prater!!!  Just for stopping by to see some great folks!

The Queen City Series, reading about this I like that it is a blast from the past for this longtime knife maker.  From the steel to the tang, a bit of history for Queen City Knives

I like and buy Queen and Schatt & Morgan kinves.  I think I understand the reason to use carbon steel blades in these "commemorative" or replica knives from the past, but I would be more inclined to buy them if the blades were D-2 or ATS 34, etc. Perhaps there is a reverence for carbon steel that I didn't inherit.  I think it was John Juranitch who found a similar prejudice in the meat industry, but was able to prove that it was "mysticism" not fact that carbon steel was better than stainless.  GEC similarly produces lots of carbon steel bladed knives, and while I buy them for their fit and finish, I don't get it.  I am willing to accept that heat treatment is probably the most important factor in blade technology, and that superior heat treatment on carbon steel will produce a blade that will outperform a run-of-the-mill stainless blade, but "all things being equal" in production knives, I would prefer a "modern" stainless or near stainless (D-2) to an "old" carbon steel blade.  Maybe some of you who know way more than I do can explain the reverence for carbon steel blades.  Obviously, in this case, Queen wants to produce a knife exactly like the first knives stamped with "Queen City", but that doesn't explain GEC, at least to me.  On the other hand, it also doesn't explain why I had to have an M-2 fixed-blade, but I think it was "mysticism" again.

Re: Howard P. Reynolds comment below - I couldn't agree more! I LOVE both the design and execution (fit & finish) of all the Queen lines, but I would REALLY prefer more ATS-34 blade options. I know they offer it in their higher end Schatt & Morgan knives, and they use the  PH D2 in many of their other offerings (which is a great option), but as you said, "all other things being equal" I would prefer a LOT more ATS-34 choices.

Got a big surprise Saturday night. My brother-in-law gave me this Sargent - Queen Trail of Tears Trapper. 

Craig, that is ultra cool! Love those deep etched blades and the Indian head penny for a shield. Does your bro-in-law have my address? *nudge nudge ~ wink wink*

THAT'S a beautiful knife Craig.  It's one of those beautiful knives that stands out among other beautiful knives.  My opinion anyway.  Guess you married the right girl. lol  Or your sis married the right guy.  No matter, great knife.  I hope you carry it.  I hate to see a gorgeous knife not get used.  No digging up weeds in the garden though! lol

Jack

A beauty!

Craig,

That is indeed a rare beauty and the tang stamps are just incredible! Cobgrats!!!

Howard,

I myself am a 1095 person, although I have been straying to 154CPM..  I know, those that know me are shocked!  I have always liked 1095 because it is easy to sharpen and as an EDC, my knives dont see much action.  I have some skill at sharpening but it is very limited, if it is going to be difficult for me to get a clean edge on I am unlikely to carry it often.

Craig, a beautiful historical reminder.

I wish I had a brother in-law like that. Great knife, I love the Indian head penny.

Craig,

That is a gorgeous knife, and I think I speak for many here when I say, you don't deserve it!  Hahahahaha.  Did this brother-in-law cut dirt and rocks with your favorite chainsaw?  I'm thinkin that only a huge error in judgement would cause a brother-in-law to give you such a nice knife.

Jan,

1095.  I agree that when you get up to around 62 Rockwell hardness the difficulty in sharpening might surpass the knife's utility, and as you say, 1095 is user friendly, while being economical (usually).  However, I think a good 440C production knife will give a 1095 production knife some trouble.  Just as easy to sharpen and easy on the wallet, as well.  On the other hand, none of my EDC fixed blades are carbon steel (1095).  Maybe I should put the GEC 1095 hunter in the EDC rotation to see if I am missing something.

Thanks for the comments.......I think. LOL!

It has a display case that I'm going to hang on the wall.

My brother-in-law (Darrell) was a collector years ago. He doesn't collect much now, except for using knives. We were both knife dealers back in the 1980's. He just came across this one the other day. He didn't realize he still had it! LOL!

Howard, I'm a big Carbon steel fan but there is some stainless steel knives I like. You named a few, 440C, ATS134, 154CM and of course D2 [sorta stainless]. I also wish, that some of my favorite knife makers, would give us a grater choice in knife steels.

D2 is sorta stainless?  I thought it was a carbon steel.  Where can I find the "recipe" for the steel?  The percentages of carbon, chromium, etc.  Is that anywhere nearby? :)  I'm speaking of the PH-D2 Queen is now using.

Jack

There some info :

http://stainless-steel-world.net/pdf/11021.pdf

P. 8:

Jack, here's what I dug up regarding D2 steel:

I should also add that Queen's D2 always is accompanied by the letters "PH" preceding the D2.

I have read differing opinions on the meaning of those letters. Some suggest the the PH stands for Precipitation Hardening. While others claim the letters stand for Peter's Heat Treatment.

Perhaps Ryan Daniels could clarify that for us, should he happen to look in on this thread?

Thanks Ron.  I have read the PH stands for Peter's Heat treating, a company that heat treats the D2.  I would like to know if that's right or not.  Doesn't matter if I understand or not, I do like to know stuff like this though.  Ryan??? Where are you??? lol

The D2 being hard to sharpen issue makes me sad a little bit.  This is very easily changed by buying stones that cut more aggressively.  That does mean spending money that could be spent on another knife though. :)  A few years ago I FINALLY decided to buy a knife that would stay sharp longer than what I had used all my life.  When I got one (then more and more lol) I found my 20 year old med. grit Arkansas stone couldn't sharpen them.  I didn't know how to take care of a stone so I'm sure it was clogged.  So over time I've gotten stones that can sharpen any blade steel on the market.  Of course my 10 starving kids don't have any shoes. lol  I get sad when I think someone will not buy a knife he/she wants because they don't think they can sharpen it or it takes too long with the stones they have.  This of course is up to each individual.  I just love an edge that stays sharp.  I'm retired now and don't work hard so I don't need the edge retention I did when I used a knife more.  This also makes me sad.  I wish I had invested more in better knives when I used them more.  I've always loved knives and always had a pocket knife in my pocket.  Now I seem to have several. :)

The PH on our D-2 Blades does stand for Peters Heat Treat. They are located in Meadville, Pa and all of the springs and blades for our D2 Knives are Heat treated through them. 

Thank you Ashley.  As one customer who now has one Queen with PH-D2 I am VERY happy with this steel.  I'm no expert and my "testing" is mainly just using the knives every day but I like PH-D2 more than any steel I've used on traditional pocket knives.  I don't have a LOT of experience though so my opinion is based on very limited knowledge.

Thanks for that clarification, Ashley! 

You're very welcome! 

There has always been a big debate on blade steel. Carbon Vs. Stainless. One of the reasons production knife companies like stainlees in high RC. is they can use stock removal on their blades, instead of hammer forging carbon steel. Hammer forging is costly and time consuming. Unless, you have used a knife that has been hammer forged by a master smith, you have not experienced the true value of carbon steel knives.

I hope, I didn't make my last post sound Iike, I didn't like stainless steel blades or D2 blades. One of my favorite user large folders is a Robeson, in D2, made by Queen.

  I was just, trying to explain a little more about, Carbon steel knives.

I just took this picture today of the family turtle. I bought this the first year Courtney and I started dating at a flea market which was the first time Courtney had ever experienced the knife game. He was only the size of a silver dollar!

Hes cute Ryan, whats his name?

Jan his name is Franklin

Cant wait to see everyone in TN this weekend.  I would love to see an iKC member win this Queen/Prater knife being given away at rep weekend this weekend!!!

I would love to be there, but can't - have fun Jan.

Well Queen gave away their Queen/Prater knives yesterday.  Cant wait to find out who won

Have you seen the Queen Cutlery page lately?

Happy Fall Everyone! 

And a very Happy Fall to you, also, Miss Ashley!

I sure do like the looks of that S&M Keystone Congress Whittler!

I've saved your picture to be used as my desktop wallpaper - Thanks!

wow, great idea Ron!

Ashley are you going to jin our pumpkin carving contest?  I wish you would!

My new S&M Queen Stag Stockman-bought at Ohio Classic Knife Show-Pic doesn't do it justice, a really beautiful knife.

That Stockman is looking pretty fine from where I'm sittin', Ken! I'm a big fan of anything with that Keystone shield on it. Mainly because I know that the knife beneath that shield is a quality S&M. Can't go wrong! Looks like you got a good one!

That is a nice Stockman, Ken.

This I believe is a 1958-1960 Winterbottom Bone-Blade 4"-overall 8" length.The only marking is the QSteel stamp on the blade. I was also intrigued by the fact that the bone was much lighter on the obverse side. I would very much appreciate any info or corrections about this knife.