All About Pocket Knives

This would probably be a great question for PA Knives, but I'm sure others on the board could answer as well.

Question is, how does Robeson fit into the Queen Cutlery lineup in terms of quality, collectability, etc? The Queen line seems to be divided (though I don't know how equally) between user/work knives (like those with wood handles and D2 blades) and knives with mainly the collector in mind.

The Schatt & Morgan line seems to cater principally to collectors, with many serial numbered knives and limited production runs. The knives with ATS 34 blades I'm sure qualify as high performance users, but most of them come with 420HC, with appearance more than performance seemingly in mind.

I just bought my first Robeson -- a green antique bone Rail Splitter cattle knife. Fit and finish are comparable to my Schatt & Morgans. In fact it seems to me that it could be a Schatt and Morgan. It's also a limited production run of 200, and I'm guessing the steel is 420HC. I bought it for collecting instead of using, so this suits me fine.

Can anyone shed some light on the distinction between these and the other Queen offerings, if any?

Thanks, as always!

Hi, I'm by no means an expert but I'll toss in my 2-cents worth. As far as collectability I really like the Robeson line-up. I have spent most of my 52yrs. collecting older knives, but about a year ago I began buying up some newer stuff. Robeson, Shatt & Morgan, I really like the Fighting Bulldogs. All of these seem (to me) to be upper-end knives on the price scales. Now, to me all those I just mentioned are knives that I won't use at work. However I may carry one to Church or something like that. For years I said that I won't have a knife that I won't use. I have since changed my mind. Once I bought a couple of those beauties, I didn't regret the price. I recently bought a nice Queen at the Salem, Va gun/knife show. It was used but looked very near mint condition. In the box and all...cost me $25.00. Although that's not much money for a knife...the quality of the Queen line speaks volumns. To me I think Robesons, Queens, Shatt & Morgans, Bulldogs, all are the upper level knives for workmanship. The fighting bulldogs I have, for instance it takes over 250 individual hand operations to assemble one knife. I'm sure there are other very high end, snooty-patooty knives out there but these mentioned here are my favorites. I guess the old saying is true...you get what you pay for....later Keith J.

I did get a little background on the Robeson line courtesy of Bill Horn at Cumberland Knifeworks.

He indicated these are distributed exclusively through Smoky Mountain Knifeworks and the jury is out re collectibility.

Based on my own observations, the fit and finish on my one Robeson is excellent, but perhaps just sliver below that of my Schatt and Morgans. The stainless steel I'm guessing is 420HC. I also note that the S&M Railsplitters that I have are serial numbered while the Robeson is not, and from what I've been able to tell in general the Robeson limited production runs are not individually serial numbered.

All that being said, I'm impressed with the quality and beauty of my one Robeson, and I intend to aquire more, if I can get them at the right price. SMKW is asking $90 for the Robeson Railsplitters which seems steep to me. I bought mine new in the box for $65 plus shipping which seems like a pretty good price point for this maker and pattern.

I'll try again...Me and this pc and scanner thingy aren't on the same page today!!!!Anyway, I'm trying to add 3 pics. A Robeson pen knife Bright Red. Schatt & Morgan Amber Bone with worm groove, and One of my favorite Fighting Bulldogs in Lime Green a Congress. The pics are not as bright as I wish. later keith j.