Queen Cutlery

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Queen Cutlery

Published: May 9th, 2025

Logo of the Queen Cutlery Company with a crown and blue background.

Queen Cutlery’s story begins with a different name, Schatt & Morgan Cutlery Company. Founded in 1895 by John W. Schatt and Charles B. Morgan, the business originally operated under the name New York Cutlery Company, with offices in New York City. In 1897, Schatt and Morgan moved their operation to Gowanda, New York, purchasing the old Platts cutlery plant. By 1902, with help from Titusville’s Board of Trade, they relocated once again, this time permanently, to Pennsylvania.

Schatt & Morgan officially began production in Titusville in January 1903 with John Schatt as president, Charles Morgan as vice president, and J.V. Crouch as secretary-treasurer. The company grew rapidly. Between 1903 and 1905, output increased tenfold. Beyond pocketknives, Schatt & Morgan manufactured razors and cold-rolled steel screen door hinges, an innovation at the time. By 1906, the company had installed electric machinery and employed over 100 workers. The company fostered a strong sense of community, with employees forming a company baseball team and contributing to local civic life.

In 1911, Charles Morgan bought out John Schatt to become president. He would later serve as mayor of Titusville and on the Board of Education. Under his leadership, the company produced 30,000 clasp knives for the U.S. Navy during World War I.

However, the postwar years were difficult. The late 1910s brought internal conflict when five key department heads, Geza Revitsky, Frank Foresther, Clarence Erickson, Harry Matthews, and Jesse Barker, were dismissed after being discovered manufacturing unscaled knives independently. Rather than leave the industry, they formed their own company: Queen City Cutlery, founded in 1919 in a garage behind the present-day Titusville High School.

Portraits of John W. Schatt and Charles B. Morgan.

- Schatt & Morgan Cutlery Company was founded by John W. Schatt and Charles B. Morgan (pictured above)

- Schatt & Morgan Cutlery relocated to Titusville, Pennsylvania in 1902

Stylized text that reads

- Queen City Cutlery was founded in 1919 by Geza Revitsky, Frank Foresther, Clarence Erickson, Harry Matthews, and Jesse Barker

By 1921, Queen City had moved to a larger space at East Spring and Kerr Streets. The city of Titusville worked to keep the company local by offering incentives when other towns tried to lure it away. In 1922, Queen City hired 15 workers to produce 3,600 knives per week. During this time, they gained recognition for using Cyclops steel and, most notably, for being early adopters of stainless steel in pocketknives. By 1926, they were publicly listed as manufacturers of “High Grade Stainless Steel Cutlery,” making Queen a pioneer in the shift from carbon steel to stainless in American knives.

In 1933, Queen City purchased the buildings, stock, and assets of Schatt & Morgan at a sheriff’s auction. Charles Morgan returned to serve as a salesman for Queen, uniting the two once-separate operations. Through the late 1930s, Queen City continued to grow despite the loss of co-founder Frank Foresther in 1939.

World War II again brought major government contracts. Queen City produced folding pruning knives for the Army Air Force, utility knives for the Navy and Army, leather-handled hunting knives, and even machetes for the Navy Seabees operating in the Belgian Congo. The workforce expanded to 100 employees, and co-founder Clarence Erickson resigned from the city council in 1944 to focus on wartime production.

Following the war, the company officially changed its name to Queen Cutlery Company in 1946 and began using its trademark “Queen Steel.” Under the continued leadership of founders like Erickson and Matthews, Queen entered its golden age.

The postwar decades saw Queen excel in traditional pocketknife production. The company became known for using classic materials like Winterbottom jigged bone, stag, and mother of pearl. It upheld bench-made knife traditions, producing patterns that became staples in American pockets. In 1969, Queen was acquired by Servotronics, becoming a subsidiary while maintaining operations in Titusville. Servotronics kept Queen running for the next 43 years.

The founders of Queen passed away during the 1960s and 1970s. Clarence Erickson in 1961, Harry Matthews in 1967, and Jesse Barker in 1970. Geza Revitsky, the longest-lived founder, passed away in 1979 at the age of 99. Born in Hungary in 1880, Revitsky brought Old World skills to Queen and helped shape its craftsmanship from the ground up.

In 2012, the Daniels Family Cutlery Corporation purchased Queen Cutlery from Servotronics. The Daniels family, already well-known in the knife industry, focused on revitalizing the brand. They introduced fresh patterns, reissued historic models, and worked to reconnect the company with collectors and enthusiasts.

Despite these efforts, Queen faced the same headwinds as many other American manufacturers: rising costs, increasing competition from overseas, and shifting market demands. On January 10, 2018, Queen Cutlery closed its doors after 116 years of knife making at the same site in Titusville.

But the story did not end there. Later in 2018, Smoky Mountain Knife Works (SMKW) acquired the Queen Cutlery name. Rather than let another legacy American brand vanish, SMKW brought Queen back. Production resumed through a network of U.S.-based manufacturers, with an emphasis on honoring historic designs while introducing new patterns.

Logo of Queen Cutlery Company with a crown and stylized text.

- Queen City Cutlery changed its name to Queen Cutlery Company in 1946

- In 1969, Queen Cutlery was acquired by Servotronics

Logo featuring mountains and a knife, with the text

- Queen Cutlery Company was acquired by The Daniels family in 2012

- On January 10th, 2018, Queen Cutlery ceased operation after 116 years

- In late 2018, SMKW acquired the Queen Cutlery name

Though Queen Cutlery no longer operates out of the original Titusville factory, the name lives on. Now managed by Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Queen has entered a new era, one rooted in American manufacturing and built on the same principles that defined it for more than a century: craftsmanship, tradition, and utility. The factory floor may be quieter than it once was, but the legacy forged there continues to shape knives carried in pockets across the country.

What to Buy

The Queen Cutlery Large Barlow blends traditional style with rugged performance. It features a 3.75" Bohler M390 stainless steel sheepsfoot blade with a long pull and satin finish, perfect for tough tasks. The 4" handle, crafted from Brown Burlap Micarta with nickel silver pins and oversized bolsters, offers durability and timeless appeal. A brushed nickel silver Q shield adds refinement, while a tip-up pocket clip ensures easy carry. Limited to 600 pieces per pattern, each knife comes in a full-color collector’s tin. Proudly made in the USA, this Barlow is a perfect companion for daily use or outdoor adventures.

The Queen Cutlery 84 Pattern blends American heritage with modern performance. Its 3.5" satin-finished Bohler M390 blade delivers top-tier edge retention and corrosion resistance, enhanced by a traditional nail nick for classic styling. The black carbon fiber handle offers lightweight strength and a sleek look, paired with oversized stainless steel bolsters, a brass lanyard tube, and polished hardware. Measuring 4.5" closed and 7.875" overall, this knife is proudly made in the USA. Combining durability, elegance, and expert craftsmanship, it’s a finely crafted tool that meets the needs of collectors, outdoorsmen, and anyone who values quality in their everyday carry.

The Queen Cutlery Red Bone One Blade Lockback is a timeless American-made folding knife built for everyday use. Its 3.34" 1095 carbon steel blade offers excellent sharpness, edge retention, and toughness, making it a reliable tool for demanding tasks. The secure back lock mechanism ensures safe, confident operation. A smooth red bone handle provides a comfortable grip and classic appeal, accented by brass liners and a nickel silver Queen shield for added strength and heritage styling. With a 4.5" closed length and 8" overall, this knife pairs traditional craftsmanship with practical performance, perfect for daily carry or collection display.

Written By

Drew Clifton

Drew Clifton

Drew is the lead writer for SMKW's Knives 101, crafting informative and engaging content for the world’s largest knife store. With expertise in knife history, design, and functionality, Drew delivers articles and product descriptions that educate and inspire knife enthusiasts at all levels.

Expert Reviewed

T.C. Barnette

T.C. Barnette

T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.

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