All About Pocket Knives

I just got an email from SMKW about a pilot test run for a Queen mini trapper w/ black synthetic handles. The website says it’s USA made. Is Queen reopened or did someone just buy the name? Anybody heard anything about this?
Here is the link https://www.smkw.com/queen-black-compos ... alog-Email

I was glad to see that it said that it was American made. Practical looking little knife.

I’ll believe it when I see a picture of the factory.

My guess is that Bear made these. The nail nick doesn’t look the same as on a Bear mini trapper, but the shape is the same. I guess I will reserve judgement until we find out who made these and someone has bought one and reports back. Until then, I sure am not interested. A Bear by any other name is still a Bear, if it’s made by them that is.

Bear usually glues the covers on, this one is pinned.

I wonder why they, whoever "Queen" now is, would try to make a come back with a "Plain Jane"? Wouldn't you want something a little more spectacular like Stag or at least some Queen Winterbottom Bone? It's a nice looking knife, don't get me wrong. I like it. I would just expect an eye catching knife to get a brand name like Queen back on the map.
Just my first thoughts. Maybe I just don't understand enough about knife production. Maybe they need a "Plain Jane" at the start untill they get all the bugs out of the production line. That could make sense.

And Thanks for the Info & Link Mark!

Some where in the Queen or Schatt Morgan forum this has been discussed . Here's what I think I know at the Queen Auction a Neighbor & friend to Blue Grass Cutlery Bought the Name and some of the equipment and brought it back to Blue Grass Cutlery to start production in the spring of this year . Total USA Made from what he promised . to bad they went to SMK thats just me .

Thanks Gary, I am more likely to give these a chance knowing this. I agree w/ Tom that black composite handles aren’t the way to make a good first impression. I would have thought they would have used Winterbottom bone. That would have evoked the Queen of old. Maybe that’s coming? I am glad to see these are made in the USA. Too many great brands have been cheapened by Chinese manufacturing.

Great start to the new knives! $40 is a VERY reasonable price point; especially if Blue Grass is making them by themselves. Though, I'd rather have had that zippered pouch swapped out for a slip or a belt sheath. Delrin is perfectly fine from a user standpoint; though Winterbottom pattern would look better; and is well, what I expect to see on a Queen.

I do not like the etch in place of a tang stamp. Noticed that's happening a lot. I've seen laser etched markings that are deeper than tang stamps, however. And I guess, to an extent, it's easier, and more versatile than having stamps, since all that's required is changing a program in a machine should a private label customer order some with their name; as opposed to machining a new stamp and setting it up. From a manufacturing standpoint, it's a reduction in overhead and maintenance, as well as more inventory room due to not having to store a ton of different stamps. Thus, a win-win.


Hope to see more patterns in the future--i.e. fullsize Trapper and Medium Stockman.

Thanks for the Info Gary.

$40 is a fair price if the quality is good. It would make a nice EDC in my opinion. I just wish they, and every other cutlery maker, would integrate an exact dating system & a "USA" into their stamps. If they are laser etched, it would be almost Zero effort to do so. I for one, like knowing what year a knife was produced in. I am also proud of a "USA" on a stamp. But that's just my opinion.

One question. If the "Queen" brand becomes a renowned brand as it once was, will these first run knives be of a higher value? Say in 20 or 30 years. I'm asking because, if & when I were to purchase one, would it be dumb to use it or smarter to put it in my showcase & just admire it. Meaning, what are the chances of this knife going up in value?

You who have been collecting for many years, or who buy & sell knives, would be able to make a better educated guess at this question than me.

Thanks for any responses on this burning question. I appreciate it!

Tom, it’s a wait and see situation. I would say that these will not increase in value. Unless and until the new Queen does something to limit production like GEC, or has something unique or of higher quality, these will be worth less right after you buy them. Starting out selling through SMKW is not a good sign. SMKW likes to sell a lot at a cheap price. So I would imagine that they are going to be cranking these out and it will flood the market and prices will fall. We have to wait and see what Queen does along these lines to know for sure.

Bluegrass has nothing to do with this knife.Rumor has it that Gilbert Cooper who bought the trademarks of Queen and Schatt & Morgan,sold the Queen name to SMKW.
Bluegrass Cutlery is owned and operated by Tim Scott.

edge213 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:29 pm Bear usually glues the covers on, this one is pinned.

I agree; however Bear does sometimes pin the handles - look at the knives that Bear makes for Moore Maker (they all have a "B" after the pattern number).

I tired to post a photo from the Moore Maker web site, but they have it locked so that you cannot copy photos.

knifeaholic wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 9:40 pm

edge213 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:29 pm Bear usually glues the covers on, this one is pinned.

I agree; however Bear does sometimes pin the handles - look at the knives that Bear makes for Moore Maker (they all have a "B" after the pattern number).

I tired to post a photo from the Moore Maker web site, but they have it locked so that you cannot copy photos.

Steve, thanks for the clarification.

Sharpnshinyknives wrote: ↑Wed Apr 29, 2020 11:22 am Tom, it’s a wait and see situation. I would say that these will not increase in value. Unless and until the new Queen does something to limit production like GEC, or has something unique or of higher quality, these will be worth less right after you buy them. Starting out selling through SMKW is not a good sign. SMKW likes to sell a lot at a cheap price. So I would imagine that they are going to be cranking these out and it will flood the market and prices will fall. We have to wait and see what Queen does along these lines to know for sure.

Ok Thanks Mark!

That's a nice looking knife Biggy, kudos to them for selling a new USA made knife for so reasonable .
Yup peanut740 is correct, Gilbert Cooper went and purchased all the machines, tooling, dies, trademarks at the Queen auction last year. He popped in to the forums around the time I was running the idea of my own cutlery company. He's moved everything to Winchester OH, and hopefully, starting production this year. I didn't know he sold the Queen name to smkw, thanks for the update Roger .
Willy

A recent short article about this knife and the
new Queen venture is poster on the Queen Cutlery History website. https://queencutleryhistory.com

"New Queen Pilot Test Run Mini Trapper"

Thanks for posting that David. I thought Bear would be the maker of these. Maybe this will be the thing to bring Bear up to a better standard, who knows.