🤘 First, totally agree w/@terrancecord388"s comment. Now here's mine. Back in 2021 purchased (2) stockman, both S.M.K.W. exclusives. A cherry stag jigged bone 4" Bear & Son carbon 4th gen. @ $57., and a Queen (China) saw cut bone series @ $20.. Other than a beautiful set of handle scales on the B & S, the knife suffered from a bunch of quality issues (worst new knife ever ordered). The Queen however is possibly the finest "modern" slip joint I've bought with great features found on vintage pocket knives, the quality (fit, finish, function) of this beautiful scaled $20. (w/440c blade steel) Chinese knife is commendable. My point being, if Bear & Son is now producing Queen USA knives thru S.M.K.W. , it seems to still lack a consistent level of quality in its production. Sure, Queen's newest #9 stockman's in red bone & real stag look great, but I suggest trying to hand select your purchase. The flag adorned tin box is very nice (USA !), but it's what's inside it that counts.
I don't know if it's a QC issue across the board, or if I just got an odd misstep. The knife besides the spring on the spey is actually quite well done. I will be sending it back, and we'll see how it goes. I will update this video when I get the new one. Some U.S. companies definitely need to do better, there is no doubt about that. And I will send knives back when the quality is outside of acceptable to me. For me personally, I'd rather do that over and over than to collect a bunch of $20 Chinese made knives regardless of the quality. That's just not how I choose to collect. Thanks for your comment man. I appreciate the feedback 👊
Very nice covers on that knife. I agree with you that the slight discoloration gives it character, though some would disagree. I have had some that had questionable action, one was a complete bear trap, that worked out after cleaning and a touch of KPL. That bear trap pull worked out with repeated opening and closeing. Now it is a great 6 pull with great walk and talk. I hope that one works itself right for you.
Thanks for the comment brother! I'm gad you were able to fix yours. I don't even feel like the spey blade on mine is hooked to the spring at all. It's really weird.
Love that tin very nice,that’s a pretty knife I like queens shield and blade tangs when closed are under the bolster making for a smooth carry👍👊💯like that back handle color
I found your channel because you popped up on my recent subscribers list. Nice video. I love these new queen knives! I have several Bear & Son and the new Queens. I have no doubt that Bear & Son in the OEM. Both the knives and the packaging are the same. The stockmans that I have do not have the greatest walk and talk either. The pivots were on the tight side and they did get better when broken in, but still nothing to write home about. This is true on both the Queen and Bear& Son. Overall I am happy with them. The trappers and barlows that I have are more snappy.
Hey thanks for the comment and sub! The Bear & Son Barlow I have has some decent snap so I'm glad to hear Queen is the same. I'm excited to see what else they come out with.
Bear & Sons opened a shop exclusively to make the Remington brand back 10 years or so in Anniston Alabama after saving them from being chinafied for a few months. If they’re resurrecting Queen then I believe they should put them in their traditional Queen boxes and start the lineup back with the original knives like the ‘one armed jack’ and full sized Trappers.
I was wondering have you attempted to apply some WD - 40 on the pivot points? Doing that will work all that factory black buffing compound and other debris out of between the pin and blade where it rides and turns when you open it. It's worth trying, even just 3 in one oil would work too, any oil to help break up that gunk. It might help. Cheers. 😊
@PhilipStephan thanks for the comment brother! I've KPL'd the heck out of it and no change. Gave it a dawn detergent bath too. Not sure what's going on with the Spey
I know this was a month ago now, did the action get any better after opening and closing it more? Sometimes they "break in" and the action gets better.
Unfortunately it hasn't gotten any better. It's like the spey isn't even held by a spring. I will have to send it back, which is a shame because the knife is really well done in almost every other way
That is an AWSOME KNIFE I love stockmans and will definitely be finding one for my self. But it kind of sucks for the snaps hopefully it was just one bad apple besides that amazing knife brother thanks for sharing god bless
@Clarkknives thanks my friend! It's a shame about the spey blade because the rest of the knife really is top notch! I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one from them I think I just got a tad unlucky.
New subscriber. Glad I looked to see if you had a channel. I don’t have one of the new. USA made Queen knives. I do have a vintage #9 and it is perfect. Personally I would send that one back because of the spay blade. And shoot me an email if you want to join us on the live show. Great review!
New subscriber here. That is a beautiful knife. It reminds me of an old Colonial made Anvil Brand that I have in that color. What part of NC are you from!
Hey Brother, new subscriber here. I think you should send that knife back. My Red Queen Barlow has great snap. Not super smooth but great snap. I was referred to this video from Baxters Blades. Thanks for your opinion on this blade. Peace.
Hey man, thanks for the sub and comment. I have thought about it, but honestly it's such a great knife outside the walk and talk that I'm not sure. Luckily it has the lifetime warranty so I have time to decide.
Beautiful knife...but please send it back! Case got to where they are because we forgave their flaws for the past twenty years. It have come to the point most people would not buy one online. Although the discoloration on the handle gives it character, Rosecraft Blade would sell it as a Second with a cosmetic flaw with a 30% discount. The lack of snap would be a Mechanical flaw and this would probably get a 45% discount...Along with the cosmetic flaw, they probably would just scrap it for parts. I have several Chinese made Queens that I absolutely love and none of them at a quarter the price have issues. US Made is suppose to mean quality...let's keep their feet to the fire and demand it! SMKW also makes Rough Rider Reserve and they do a pretty great job with them so...they are capable of a better product! IMHO
I am used to whittle with a stockman. At the end of a whittling day, the thumb nail get some painful soaring by open and closing the small blades many times. A lazy walk and talk helps to avoid that. Your knife is fine. No backdrops at all. Enjoy it. Thank you for share!
I don't have any issue with lazy walkand talk either and 100% agree as long as I know the backsprings aren't completely shot on a brand new knife. I'm not sure about this one honestly.
@@Tarheelsteel Thanks tarheel, it's been a long, long time since I was in Fayetteville or on Hay st. Wonder how it's changed. Sorry about the sarcasm in my post, I've become too jaded with the internet.
@billscott-wm8kq Happens to the best of us man. I get that way myself sometimes. I'm closer to Charlotte and don't get to Fayetteville much. What state are you in now?
@@Tarheelsteel Good, Fayetteville's not really a very good place to live, but North Carolina has beautiful forests and some of the best people I've ever known. I"m in Needles, Ca now, no traffic, no hustle and bustle, but not much of anything else either. That's a good thing these days, though.
I used to work at the original Queen Cutlery factory in Titusville, PA
That's really cool. I probably owned a knife or two that you made.
🤘 First, totally agree w/@terrancecord388"s comment. Now here's mine. Back in 2021 purchased (2) stockman, both S.M.K.W. exclusives. A cherry stag jigged bone 4" Bear & Son carbon 4th gen. @ $57., and a Queen (China) saw cut bone series @ $20.. Other than a beautiful set of handle scales on the B & S, the knife suffered from a bunch of quality issues (worst new knife ever ordered). The Queen however is possibly the finest "modern" slip joint I've bought with great features found on vintage pocket knives, the quality (fit, finish, function) of this beautiful scaled $20. (w/440c blade steel) Chinese knife is commendable.
My point being, if Bear & Son is now producing Queen USA knives thru S.M.K.W. , it seems to still lack a consistent level of quality in its production. Sure, Queen's newest #9 stockman's in red bone & real stag look great, but I suggest trying to hand select your purchase. The flag adorned tin box is very nice (USA !), but it's what's inside it that counts.
I don't know if it's a QC issue across the board, or if I just got an odd misstep. The knife besides the spring on the spey is actually quite well done. I will be sending it back, and we'll see how it goes. I will update this video when I get the new one. Some U.S. companies definitely need to do better, there is no doubt about that. And I will send knives back when the quality is outside of acceptable to me. For me personally, I'd rather do that over and over than to collect a bunch of $20 Chinese made knives regardless of the quality. That's just not how I choose to collect. Thanks for your comment man. I appreciate the feedback 👊
Very nice covers on that knife. I agree with you that the slight discoloration gives it character, though some would disagree. I have had some that had questionable action, one was a complete bear trap, that worked out after cleaning and a touch of KPL. That bear trap pull worked out with repeated opening and closeing. Now it is a great 6 pull with great walk and talk. I hope that one works itself right for you.
Thanks for the comment brother! I'm gad you were able to fix yours. I don't even feel like the spey blade on mine is hooked to the spring at all. It's really weird.
Ive yet to get there new stockmans. Wow the pile side bone looks awesome. Im am pressed with my Trappers and Barlow by them. Thank you for sharing!
I'm definitely gonna be getting more. The Stag barlow has my name written all over it lol. Thanks for stopping by bud!
Love that tin very nice,that’s a pretty knife I like queens shield and blade tangs when closed are under the bolster making for a smooth carry👍👊💯like that back handle color
Thank you brother! Ya the Queen shield is nice imo. Thanks for taking a look!
I found your channel because you popped up on my recent subscribers list. Nice video. I love these new queen knives! I have several Bear & Son and the new Queens. I have no doubt that Bear & Son in the OEM. Both the knives and the packaging are the same. The stockmans that I have do not have the greatest walk and talk either. The pivots were on the tight side and they did get better when broken in, but still nothing to write home about. This is true on both the Queen and Bear& Son. Overall I am happy with them. The trappers and barlows that I have are more snappy.
Hey thanks for the comment and sub! The Bear & Son Barlow I have has some decent snap so I'm glad to hear Queen is the same. I'm excited to see what else they come out with.
Bear & Sons opened a shop exclusively to make the Remington brand back 10 years or so in Anniston Alabama after saving them from being chinafied for a few months.
If they’re resurrecting Queen then I believe they should put them in their traditional Queen boxes and start the lineup back with the original knives like the ‘one armed jack’ and full sized Trappers.
Great comment and I agree, but SMKW has purchased the Queen name and all that entails. Maybe they're just looking for a fresh start.
Hey brother awesome video great looking knife too!
Thank you, my friend.
Man that's a good looking knife brother!!
Love that smooth bone handles for sure!!!
Thank you buddy! Have you picked any of the new(ish) Queens yet?
No I have not
What a great one brother!! I do not own any yet but might one day. I really dig that one though!🔥 thanks for sharing brother!😎👊🏼
Thanks RH! It took me a while to pull the trigger on one, but they do a nice job. Unless of course one of the springs is just completely shot lol.
I was wondering have you attempted to apply some WD - 40 on the pivot points? Doing that will work all that factory black buffing compound and other debris out of between the pin and blade where it rides and turns when you open it. It's worth trying, even just 3 in one oil would work too, any oil to help break up that gunk. It might help. Cheers. 😊
@PhilipStephan thanks for the comment brother! I've KPL'd the heck out of it and no change. Gave it a dawn detergent bath too. Not sure what's going on with the Spey
Definitely a nice knife! Packaging is very cool and collectible. Gotta ask…..do they have a canoe? 😅
Not yet to my knowledge but who knows what the future holds!! 😂
I know this was a month ago now, did the action get any better after opening and closing it more? Sometimes they "break in" and the action gets better.
Unfortunately it hasn't gotten any better. It's like the spey isn't even held by a spring. I will have to send it back, which is a shame because the knife is really well done in almost every other way
That is an AWSOME KNIFE I love stockmans and will definitely be finding one for my self. But it kind of sucks for the snaps hopefully it was just one bad apple besides that amazing knife brother thanks for sharing god bless
@Clarkknives thanks my friend! It's a shame about the spey blade because the rest of the knife really is top notch! I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one from them I think I just got a tad unlucky.
New subscriber. Glad I looked to see if you had a channel. I don’t have one of the new. USA made Queen knives. I do have a vintage #9 and it is perfect. Personally I would send that one back because of the spay blade. And shoot me an email if you want to join us on the live show. Great review!
Thanks RJ! I am probably going to send it back, I've just been lazy about it lol. I'll message you on Instagram and thanks for the sub!!
Very nice stockman, and good to see them come back to the US.
Yessir! It's always nice to have more US options. Hopefully the competition will push others to step up their game a bit.
@Tarheelsteel I agree, some companies have gotten lazy with their QC lately
New subscriber here. That is a beautiful knife. It reminds me of an old Colonial made Anvil Brand that I have in that color. What part of NC are you from!
Nice! I've always liked the Anvil. I'm just north of Charlotte. Are you in NC?
@@Tarheelsteel Yes I live in Creswell in the east end of Washington County
@@jerrydineen2827 very cool. Nice to meet man!
@@Tarheelsteel same here
On mine the grinds were way wonky and that lazy spay is extremely lazy. Disappointed.
Where did you buy it from?
Smokey Mountain Knife Works
Hey Brother, new subscriber here. I think you should send that knife back. My Red Queen Barlow has great snap. Not super smooth but great snap. I was referred to this video from Baxters Blades. Thanks for your opinion on this blade. Peace.
Hey man, thanks for the sub and comment. I have thought about it, but honestly it's such a great knife outside the walk and talk that I'm not sure. Luckily it has the lifetime warranty so I have time to decide.
Greetings from the Owl House in Belhaven NC.🦉
Hey how are you? Thanks for stopping by!
Subscribed ✝️
Beautiful knife...but please send it back! Case got to where they are because we forgave their flaws for the past twenty years. It have come to the point most people would not buy one online. Although the discoloration on the handle gives it character, Rosecraft Blade would sell it as a Second with a cosmetic flaw with a 30% discount. The lack of snap would be a Mechanical flaw and this would probably get a 45% discount...Along with the cosmetic flaw, they probably would just scrap it for parts. I have several Chinese made Queens that I absolutely love and none of them at a quarter the price have issues. US Made is suppose to mean quality...let's keep their feet to the fire and demand it! SMKW also makes Rough Rider Reserve and they do a pretty great job with them so...they are capable of a better product! IMHO
Well said man and I agree. I will be sending it back. Thanks for the support brother!
Well I was sold until you didn't show the bottom of the box. Hahaha
That's coming up in part 2
How much price
I think it was about $60
3400
I am used to whittle with a stockman. At the end of a whittling day, the thumb nail get some painful soaring by open and closing the small blades many times. A lazy walk and talk helps to avoid that. Your knife is fine. No backdrops at all. Enjoy it. Thank you for share!
I don't have any issue with lazy walkand talk either and 100% agree as long as I know the backsprings aren't completely shot on a brand new knife. I'm not sure about this one honestly.
Looks chinese to me. They're big on american flags. Are the barlow's the same co. they were, someone just still using the name?
I think they're all made by Bear & Son in Alabama.
@@Tarheelsteel Thanks tarheel, it's been a long, long time since I was in Fayetteville or on Hay st. Wonder how it's changed. Sorry about the sarcasm in my post, I've become too jaded with the internet.
@billscott-wm8kq Happens to the best of us man. I get that way myself sometimes. I'm closer to Charlotte and don't get to Fayetteville much. What state are you in now?
@@Tarheelsteel Good, Fayetteville's not really a very good place to live, but North Carolina has beautiful forests and some of the best people I've ever known. I"m in Needles, Ca now, no traffic, no hustle and bustle, but not much of anything else either. That's a good thing these days, though.
Holy Smokes! That is a purdy feller right there buddy!
That red bone is 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks brother!