All About Pocket Knives

Some top-class pick-ups, y'all!

OSCAR wrote: ↑Tue May 23, 2023 4:13 pm

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 1:25 am Got in one of the new Schatt and Morgan knives. Been waiting for years to see this happen. C Risener compared it favorably with Case quality but honestly it’s pretty close to the old S&M knives. I like the run up being tight and the mostly centered blade. The fit and finish are very well done. This one has camel bone handles. Good to see a camel bone that isn’t so lite in color. I’m pleased and will buy more if I can get them in the rush. I was surprised that I was able to get one, I usually get the knife taken out of my cart at check out. I stopped buying from several sellers for that very reason.

Who makes them since Queen closed ? Who sells them ?

Oscar, Mr. Cooper responded that 300 total were made of the #3W, with the black/blue camel bone having a total of 78. I will be adding this information to my post in the S&M thread as well for reference.

I also posted this in the "Antique Swedish Barrel Knife" subforum, but I bought my first Swedish Barrel Knife this week! It is a Pontus Holmberg, from Ekilstuna. I know that this one is not a great example, but it is the first one that I have ever touched. I fished it out of the shallow end of the 'Bay. It is pretty cool! I will probably clean off the green paint, as I am sure that it isn't original. As much as I like to tinker with things, I will probably do very little else to it other than a light cleaning. I probably will not even sharpen it, though it is as dull as a butter knife. It does have one small chip in the handle, but other than that it is in pretty decent shape for something that is probably a century old!

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 12:51 am Those are gorgeous, Eric!
I really like how the frame-lock release is hidden under the cover.
I need to ask though, do you still have both arms and legs, cuz those Pena's don't come cheap? lol!

I do believe it or not. One of these days I may pick up one or two of his customs.

Erict64 wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 3:26 pm

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 12:51 am Those are gorgeous, Eric!
I really like how the frame-lock release is hidden under the cover.
I need to ask though, do you still have both arms and legs, cuz those Pena's don't come cheap? lol!

I do believe it or not. One of these days I may pick up one or two of his customs.

He sure does build some beautiful knives, Eric, congratulations on being the owner of ANY of them.
I don't know where you buy your Pena's, but I see them everyday through email notifications at www.arizonacustomknives.com , and there's usually a large selection at various prices. At ACK, they use a decreasing price scale where they lower the posted price $5.00 each week the knife doesn't sell, and it's a completely safe site.
Being a fan of his knives you'd likely want to have a look, and I have zero affiliation with them!

I still have a back-log of about a dozen "Mail Call" knives to post, so I'll begin clearing that up with this one today!
Bought on Ebay, this is an 8 1/4" oal Schatt & Morgan Series X Harness Jack lockback, with a SS spear-point blade, brass liners and pins, steel bolsters and shield, and some kind of stag/bone creamy brown jigged covers that are displaying faded green on the edges, if that helps anyone identify exactly what material they're actually made of.
It's stamped and etched with both S & M and Queen Cutlery markings, and was made in 2000.
1 of 600!

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 6:12 pm

Erict64 wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 3:26 pm

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 12:51 am Those are gorgeous, Eric!
I really like how the frame-lock release is hidden under the cover.
I need to ask though, do you still have both arms and legs, cuz those Pena's don't come cheap? lol!

I do believe it or not. One of these days I may pick up one or two of his customs.

He sure does build some beautiful knives, Eric, congratulations on being the owner of ANY of them.
I don't know where you buy your Pena's, but I see them everyday through email notifications at www.arizonacustomknives.com , and there's usually a large selection at various prices. At ACK, they use a decreasing price scale where they lower the posted price $5.00 each week the knife doesn't sell, and it's a completely safe site.
Being a fan of his knives you'd likely want to have a look, and I have zero affiliation with them!

I think ACK gets their fair share of my money . In the last year I have picked up a large Sebenza 31, a Bark River Bravo, and a Rainier Basecamp from them, all at good prices. The Rainier was half new price.

Reverand wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 2:28 pm I also posted this in the "Antique Swedish Barrel Knife" subforum, but I bought my first Swedish Barrel Knife this week! It is a Pontus Holmberg, from Ekilstuna.
IMG_7188.jpeg

I know that this one is not a great example, but it is the first one that I have ever touched. I fished it out of the shallow end of the 'Bay. It is pretty cool!
IMG_7187.jpeg
IMG_7189.jpeg
IMG_7190.jpeg

I will probably clean off the green paint, as I am sure that it isn't original. As much as I like to tinker with things, I will probably do very little else to it other than a light cleaning. I probably will not even sharpen it, though it is as dull as a butter knife. It does have one small chip in the handle, but other than that it is in pretty decent shape for something that is probably a century old!

Congrats Reverand. Those are simple but awesome knives.

Reverand wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 2:28 pm I bought my first Swedish Barrel Knife this week!

Too cool!

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 8:43 pm I still have a back-log of about a dozen "Mail Call" knives to post, so I'll begin clearing that up with this one today!

Great pick-up, and can't wait to see the others!

Reverand wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 2:28 pm I also posted this in the "Antique Swedish Barrel Knife" subforum, but I bought my first Swedish Barrel Knife this week! It is a Pontus Holmberg, from Ekilstuna.
IMG_7188.jpeg

I know that this one is not a great example, but it is the first one that I have ever touched. I fished it out of the shallow end of the 'Bay. It is pretty cool!
IMG_7187.jpeg
IMG_7189.jpeg
IMG_7190.jpeg

I will probably clean off the green paint, as I am sure that it isn't original. As much as I like to tinker with things, I will probably do very little else to it other than a light cleaning. I probably will not even sharpen it, though it is as dull as a butter knife. It does have one small chip in the handle, but other than that it is in pretty decent shape for something that is probably a century old!

Very cool!! Great photos of it as well!! Comgratts!!

Erict64 wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 1:34 am

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 6:12 pm

Erict64 wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 3:26 pm

I do believe it or not. One of these days I may pick up one or two of his customs.

He sure does build some beautiful knives, Eric, congratulations on being the owner of ANY of them.
I don't know where you buy your Pena's, but I see them everyday through email notifications at www.arizonacustomknives.com , and there's usually a large selection at various prices. At ACK, they use a decreasing price scale where they lower the posted price $5.00 each week the knife doesn't sell, and it's a completely safe site.
Being a fan of his knives you'd likely want to have a look, and I have zero affiliation with them!

I think ACK gets their fair share of my money . In the last year I have picked up a large Sebenza 31, a Bark River Bravo, and a Rainier Basecamp from them, all at good prices. The Rainier was half new price.

Here I was wondering if you were even aware of ACK, and now it sounds like you're a veteran!
I guess regarding the money aspect you have to make it to spend it, just like it is with taxes you need to be making the money to pay the taxes so we really shouldn't complain.
I'll be following your posts to see what else you buy, keep up the good work, if you have the money that is! lol!

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 8:43 pm I still have a back-log of about a dozen "Mail Call" knives to post, so I'll begin clearing that up with this one today!
Bought on Ebay, this is an 8 1/4" oal Schatt & Morgan Series X Harness Jack lockback, with a SS spear-point blade, brass liners and pins, steel bolsters and shield, and some kind of stag/bone creamy brown jigged covers that are displaying faded green on the edges, if that helps anyone identify exactly what material they're actually made of.
It's stamped and etched with both S & M and Queen Cutlery markings, and was made in 2000.
1 of 600!
8)WIN_20230328_13_04_50_Pro.jpgWIN_20230328_13_05_27_Pro.jpg

Beauty there, love that kind of bone, and the sabre grind swedged spear. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetie.

Was not aware of ACK. Just took a look at the ACK web sight. No wonder I had never heard of them Holy Moley!

Dan In MI wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 9:39 am

Reverand wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 2:28 pm I bought my first Swedish Barrel Knife this week!

Too cool!

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 8:43 pm I still have a back-log of about a dozen "Mail Call" knives to post, so I'll begin clearing that up with this one today!

Great pick-up, and can't wait to see the others!

Thank you much, Dan, I'll post the others ASAP!

Ivoryman wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 4:32 pm

Madmarco wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 8:43 pm I still have a back-log of about a dozen "Mail Call" knives to post, so I'll begin clearing that up with this one today!
Bought on Ebay, this is an 8 1/4" oal Schatt & Morgan Series X Harness Jack lockback, with a SS spear-point blade, brass liners and pins, steel bolsters and shield, and some kind of stag/bone creamy brown jigged covers that are displaying faded green on the edges, if that helps anyone identify exactly what material they're actually made of.
It's stamped and etched with both S & M and Queen Cutlery markings, and was made in 2000.
1 of 600!
8)WIN_20230328_13_04_50_Pro.jpgWIN_20230328_13_05_27_Pro.jpg

Beauty there, love that kind of bone, and the sabre grind swedged spear. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetie.

Thanks for the additional info, buddy, (sabre grind swedge) it's much appreciated as I'm attempting to expand my knife knowledge.

jerryd6818 wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 4:39 pm Was not aware of ACK. Just took a look at the ACK web sight. No wonder I had never heard of them Holy Moley!

I discovered ACK a couple of yrs. ago, and by visiting their site I found out that if you sign-up with your email address you can have daily email alerts that new knives by the maker you signed-up for have come in. The email drops at 2:30 Central daily except on weekends. I signed-up for a few makers knives in order to almost ensure I get an email everyday so I don't forget and can browse those gorgeous knives as a daily treat. Another way is to choose something like Case or Dalton knives or any popular brand since those are listed the most, so you won't likely need to sign-up for a few.
Another great and safe site for high-end custom knives is www.knifepurveyor.com , Jerry, definitely worth having a look!

Financial necessity has finally forced me over to "the dark side" (i.e., made in China) to satisfy my knife addiction. I've always been a believer in buying USA made knives and supporting American companies. But, unfortunately, it's difficult to get new GECs and they are way too expensive on the secondary market (and they really haven't made any patterns that appeal to me for quite awhile anyway). I have been a loyal collector of Case knives for as long as I've been collecting, but lately their quality leaves a lot to be desired and my last few purchases were somewhat disappointing. I still collect old Queen/Schatt & Morgan knives when I can find them, but the patterns I collect seem to be getting harder and harder to find and more expensive when I am able to find them. So, as much as I hate to admit it, I broke down and purchased a few China made knives. Call me a traitor if you will (I do feel a bit guilty), but I gotta admit I am quite impressed with the quality and the price.

My first one is this RoseCraft Blades "Clinch River" Wharncliffe Swayback with Bourbon Bone (their name, not mine...it looks orange to me). It has D2 steel blade, milled stainless steel integral bolsters/liners, excellent walk and talk, razor sharp out of the box, solid lock up, perfect blade centering and the run up is about as close to a Moki as any other knife I've ever seen or owned. All for $42 shipped (from Traditional Pocket Knives). Hard not to like a knife this well-made regardless of its country of origin. Sorry to say it, but it puts any modern Case knife to shame.

I hear you there Q. I don't usually buy from China if i can avoid it. But I picked up an Artisan Cutlery knife that blew away modern Case quality for less money too. Sad. I think that's what killed Schrade and Queen. Better quality for half the price from overseas. Sad too, American knives used to be among the best. Now I think Moki and some others took the lead. Although I have nothing bad to say about my last 20-30 GEC products either and thank goodness. They show it can be done, but increasingly companies are taking the factory to China instead of building it here so it's going the wrong direction.
Here's one S&M built before they started the quality slide into bankruptcy. Nothing wrong with it, great craftsmanship, manufacturing, bone, looks, etc. S&M 51 Mini T. Great fit and finish, flawless so far, haven't found anything. Smoooooooooooooth action and tight no wobble and great bones IMHO. 1991 was a good year for S&M.

This was waiting on me when I got home today.

slick95 wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 10:22 pm This was waiting on me when I got home today.

Picked this nice Queen City #83 from Gary kennedys inventory which came yesterday. Top knife. Itll look good next to the Quenn #44, bottom

Go easy on yourself ~Q~. I went through that same phase & felt like a traitor when I quit poo-poo-ing & started buying them. Just remember, ya gotta do what ya gotta do and the hell with the hinder most.

Got this one from Sooner State Knives. The purchase price was much less than others I had seen and the purchase went slicker'n snot on a door knob. I'm VERY pleased with the purchase and the knife.

All fine acquisitions, gentlemen!
Considering that you live about halfway between the US and China, ~Q~, you should only feel 1/2 as guilty for dipping your toe into the "Dark Side"! lol!

To further clear-up my back-log of "Mail Call" knives I present to you my one and only Extrema Ratio folder!
This is their 10 3/4" oal BF3 "Dark Talon" linerlock model that features a Bohler N690 Wharncliffe blade with dual-studs, single SS liner, adjustable pivot, pocket-clip, and black anticorodal anodized aluminum 2-piece body!
This knife flips open faster than any knife I've seen or own with just a nudge on the stud, it's actually incredible how fast and smooth it is and has left me very impressed, and the best part is it doesn't have that goofy extension piece for opening the blade!

Madmarco wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 4:49 pm Wharncliffe blade

Cool looking, badass, and appropriately named "Dark Talon" Extreme Ratio, Marco...but, as you might suspect, you had me at Wharncliffe blade


And speaking of Wharncliffe blades...I shamelessly contributed more of my hard earned American legal tender in financial aid to the godless Chinese communists by purchasing this Rough Ryder APTA RR2285 Wharncliffe swaybelly with blue/gray denim Micarta handle. This one is not quite as nice as the RoseCraft Clinch River, but still a decent knife and an amazing bargain for less than $30.00 USD. And what it lacks in craftsmanship is somewhat made up for in the little extras such as a zippered nylon storage pouch with a Torx adjustment tool in a separate little pocket hidden inside.