Queen's new website

[IMBand]

As an example then, I spent $185 on a Queen last year and the blade was so loose that the it rattled
against the liners when closed, it was so far off center it rubbed and the grind was much heavier on one
side than the other. It also had very weak jimping, poor lock-up and was extremely dull. A couple other
Queen knives that I purchased were also very dull and had weak springs. I gave those 2 away and returned one
only after being told by a well known seller that the looseness was normal for the knife, and he was right
I think because I tried another in the same pattern and it was no better. Sold that knife at a loss because
the return of the first one was an issue and the seller made me feel like they were doing me a favor. Have
also been straight lied to by the current owners of Queen Cutlery for the last time.......maybe it's just
my bad luck but they are 0 for 4 with me and can keep their attitude and knives..........

IM

[Colonel26]

I hope the new owners of Queen are doing better than the last ones. I haven't had a problem with fit and finish or quality per se, but I've yet to see one where all the blades have even grinds on the bevel. Either they're ground on one side only, or they're so poorly ground they in effect have a round cutting edge.

I'm sure not interested in another unless I can see it first.

[Keystone]

I agree the website has some problems in the capacity to show see good description and photos of the knife, as coffeecup noted. I have written suggesting improvements so the large number of graying buyers can see. Consider where they were a year ago and the web site is making a much better and more public image for Queen. I especially appreciate the contact information.

Lot of stuff on one thread - best thread in months -- On quality and service. I recently bought a very nice stag mountainman file and wire, and it was loose.-I have over 75 Queen lockblades including 8 Mountainman 3L These knives are NOT generally loose IMO. I'm in PA. Took the knife back to the factory on April 6, No issue, quick "yes we can fix it we will mail it back." Had it back by May 8, though they led me to expect June. And it is a very nice functioning lockblade now. I have to say I wondered how they would handle it, having read some earlier complaints. In my situation "Wonderful Service." They handled it exactly like the warranty statement on the last page of their catalog says.

Have a problem? I say take it to them See for yourself how they handle it - one customer at a time, right?

[coffeecup]

For those of us who don't see their good buddies from Queen at all the local shows, that website is just about our only means of receiving information directly from the factory. If the warranty isn't there, and there is no mention of a catalog on their website, how are we supposed to know about it? Contact someone at the factory to ask? Oh, but wait . . . that doesn't work if they won't respond to requests for information, does it? Pretty pictures are nice, but actual content and information are worth far more.

My stag-handled Schatt & Morgan File & Wire Mt. Man experience wasn't ultimately as satisfying as yours. The blade had so much play you could measure it with a tape measure: more than a 1/4" side-to-side, and 1/4" forward and 1/8" back beyond the normal open position without moving the lock/spring/whatever-you-call-it-on-a-locking-knife. (Yes, this was the knife discussed here: http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... =2&t=36363 )

I had to mail the knife in blind, because the factory wouldn't respond to requests for instructions on how to return the thing for warranty work. It sat there for three months before being returned. They didn't repair it: they didn't even unwrap it or read the note of explanation sent with it.

I've been trying to finish this post for a while, Keystone. If my memory is correct, this was my 6th Queen Mt. Man. All of them had excessive blade play. As best I can recall, the previous knives were returned to the seller or sold locally, at a loss in every case.

I keep hearing how US cutlers are so good, and we should support American industry and the American working man, and I figured why not give it another try? I wasn't going to make the same mistakes as before, though. I was going to get the best version Queen offered, so I certainly wouldn't have to deal with those problems.

For what I paid, this knife should have been if not perfect, at least usable. That was what I was paying for, that was why I was willing to risk what is to me a not-insignificant sum of money: I just wanted a really good knife of one of my favorite patterns.

And you know what? I got suckered again.

But as you say, Keystone, "See for yourself how they handle it - one customer at a time, right?"

Jim
(Edited to remove a poor choice of words.)

[Keystone]

You are right, the Queen website does not have their warranty that I can see. I agree with you, the web page is critical for consumer information. And I think they recognize that because they are working at it.

Did pick up a 2013 catalog "Knife Guide" off the counter when I was returning my knife for service. Page 66, which I have tried to photo -- glad I don't run their images! (Attached,) says in the critical sentence, mid-page. "If any of our products ever fail due to workmanship or faulty materials, Queen will fix or replace it for free." I guess the legal weasel words are "ever fail." I really do not know how they respond to others, but I was gratified at how they fixed my problem. Took not a minute - I complained this knife is LOOSE. Young lady wiggled the tip - yes. Case closed. It is clear there are dissatisfied Queen customers out there. That is not good and I hope the company addresses those concerns.

I really cannot compare Queen knives with other companies beyond Case, and like the comment above, i think they are better made than the Case knives I have. I really do not know any industry consensus about "best" knifemaker. Have fun. Argue over it, But there can be little disagreement that Queen does make very fine knives, has for many years, their huge private label business and their survival are important indicators of that quality. I like the Queen knives a lot. For me this is not a business but a hobby, a relaxation, a new area for learning and I would not persist if it became an arena for frustration - I would switch something up.... I was thinking of just buying old Queen knives...like when Smith and Wesson went British. But they came through in a responsible way, and so I plan to buy a few more that I like when I can.

The comment above about selective purchase - "have it in my hand" - is appealing to me. I much prefer the rare knife show where it is hands on to all the EBAY and Mail-order. I am now aware that some knives may have serious flaws, so close examination gains standing.

Good luck, getting them to honor that warranty or moving on.

[treefarmer]

Most of us agree that AAPK is a great learning tool and this thread has given me some insight into a brand of knife that I really like. I'm at a disadvantage because I've never bought a new Queen knife, always ended up with used knives and have always been very pleased with the older Queen knives. Have considered a new one from time to time but not needing another a new knife has kept me from buying a new Queen just to have one. After following this thread I would be hard pressed to buy a new Queen without handling it in person. It is sad to hear some of our AAPK members are having issues with new knives from this company.
Treefarmer

[coffeecup]

Good luck, getting them to honor that warranty or moving on.

Interesting choice of words there: "honor." I've not seen it from Queen.

As for me, I'm throwing pennies in a jar to eventually purchase a very 1306-like knife made by Boker. In China. They inspect the knives, and have a track record of taking care of warranty issues. And I'll have a good story to tell every time someone asks why I'm carrying a China-made knife instead of a US-made knife. I often get asked about knives by some of the scouts with whom I've worked, and their parents: perhaps it would be easier to put up a webpage discussing the experience?

Jim

[Keystone]

Tree Farmer, I am suggesting "in the hand" as a general policy when making important purchases. The more I learn about knives, the more I end up paying, the tougher my evaluation wants to be. Plus, the more knife shows I go to, the people selling and attending are great to talk to. The whole experience is better - Like the Queen Show coming up in July.

I own almost 100 Queen knives, over 75 of them lockbacks or liner locks. This is the First one that needed service. Service was easy, fast and very effective. Exactly as promised. I end up with a beautiful stag Mountainman, just like I was after.

A appreciate Coffee cup and all purchasers insisting on high standards. It is exactly why I buy the knives, and why I squawked the first time I felt something wasn't right. I think we all hope the unhappy knife purchases are kept to a minimum, and that angry former customers are a rare breed.

This thread started with improvements in the Queen website and they are many and obvious. Including a growing set of products available - the regular catalog production but also many new and special projects. A lot of positive change in less than a year in a company controlled by superior management for over 30 years. Incidentally, one of those changes is distributor list so you can indeed be much more effective in getting close to a knife or deal with well-established business for discussion of quality ahead of a purchase. I do not think a Queen customer needs to be wary. A top quality knife company with many choices in both functional and beautiful knives.

So my end comment is send them website suggestions, just like I say, send them complaints about knives. I think they are a smaller, more nimble company now and they are interested in customers. I know I plan to buy more Queen knives. In fact, July 25th.

[brucegodlesky]

One thing to remember, the previous president of the company was NOT a knife guy. That's not a slam , just fact.
If you want exceptional ice cream ya don't hire a bricklayer to make it.
See you guys at the show.