All About Pocket Knives

Do queen knives normally bleed and fade? I have a premier mini trapper that has been put up in the box for about 6 months. I got it down and it was faded. There was not a whole lot of color on the paper just a light discoloring. It went from being a real pretty orange color to a splotchy orange. Also a Queen City/Cozy Glen Amber bone I recently purchased bleed like crazy while cleaning it. Is this normal? My other Queens are stag so no problem there.

EricKy,

I have a Fightin Bull trapper with smooth orange bone covers. It surprised me that it was one of my favorites, because until I got it, I didn't think I would like an orange knife. Now, in only a couple of months, the orange is blotchy, fading to yellow, and almost white in some areas.

The maker of Fightin Bulls uses Queen components for this knife, so I wonder if the handle material was Queen as well.

I don't see where the color has stained anything it's been in contact with, but it must be a very unstable dye.

Fran

Thats what this one did. It was one of my favorites. I have had it for about 2 years and never noticed it fading at all. Its been put up for the past 6 months or so. Its ashame because next to my stag knives it was the nicest looking knife I had.

Eric, you may want to contact Queen and ask them about this problem.
May be covered by their warranty or good will. Also if they see it, may help them evaluate the dyes performance.
Recent EPA regulations have required manufacturers to reformulate their dyes, so I'm (almost) sure they would like to know if there is a problem.
I think there is a toll free number on the Queen Cutlery site.

Only bleeders I've had were a few of the SR prefix Case from late 70s-early80s. Color stains the brown tissue. Applying renwax seems to help prevent more bleeding, just don't put much of it on and don't take too long wiping it off either lol. Seems like the renwax prevents any residual joint oil from interacting w/the dye.
Since I'm no chemical engineer or certified dyeologist, and I have not stayed in a Holiday Express lately, I could be wrong. It has happened before.

Thanks. I might give them a call and see what they say.

I agree with wosey on this one keep any oils or such away from your handles