Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
- Tsar Bomba
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
I don't much mind carrying Congress-pattern folders. I personally like the swayback frame, they're almost all guaranteed to have a sheepsfoot blade handy, and the versions with non-redundant blades can be exceedingly useful - the bright green 6488 got me through a week-long hospital stay (and if you've ever tried the chicken breast in a hospital you know some real cutlery was needed to make it edible ). The 2-sheepsfoot/2-pen versions might get less carry consideration than most knives due to blade redundancy but I've found that a Congress is a great carry knife and easily complements other carries when needed.
Yeah, I'll carry me a Congress.
Yeah, I'll carry me a Congress.
Everything's better with a Barlow
- rangerbluedog
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Quicky, when I first started collecting knives I really disliked the congress pattern. Too big for me, I thought.
After several years of chasing down old Bokers, I finally got a stepped bolster Boker congress for cheap. I like the way the old carbon steel blades sharpen easily. The sheepfoot blade and pen blade are a really good combination for EDC. And I was really surprised by just how comfortable they are in the pocket!
So now, some years later, I've been carrying these two knives for the last six months or so. I generally use the Kershaw more often, because of the easy one-handed opening (as can be seen by the remnants of tape on the blade). But when both hands are free, I like to pull out the old classic Boker USA congress. This one was made circa 1976-1983.
After several years of chasing down old Bokers, I finally got a stepped bolster Boker congress for cheap. I like the way the old carbon steel blades sharpen easily. The sheepfoot blade and pen blade are a really good combination for EDC. And I was really surprised by just how comfortable they are in the pocket!
So now, some years later, I've been carrying these two knives for the last six months or so. I generally use the Kershaw more often, because of the easy one-handed opening (as can be seen by the remnants of tape on the blade). But when both hands are free, I like to pull out the old classic Boker USA congress. This one was made circa 1976-1983.
- Tsar Bomba
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Intentional Wharnie master? Very nice. Looks like top-notch construction, too.FRJ wrote:Here's a nice little Ames Cutlery Co.
I see a direct line from that knife to the #13 Clerk.
- americanedgetech
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
I have to agree w/ Joe on that.
To me a Wharncliffe has a curved spine. That is the entire attraction in the design for me, and I'm really digging Wharncliffes.
To me a Wharncliffe has a curved spine. That is the entire attraction in the design for me, and I'm really digging Wharncliffes.
Ken Mc.
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
WTB Kershaw 2120 MACHO Lockback Parts knife
I need a pile side scale. THX!
Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Here's a nice short line Camillus 92 with some kind of plastic covers. 4 1/8"
Considerable carry but not too, too much sharpening.
Usually the tips are ground right off those sheepfoot.
Considerable carry but not too, too much sharpening.
Usually the tips are ground right off those sheepfoot.
Joe
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
A Congress is a funny pattern for me - funny in my approach to it. I love the way a Congress looks (two, three, and four blade) and own at least one of each of those configurations. I just don't like carrying or using one - they feel upside down to me (in my pocket or in my hand) for some reason. I keep a few on display around my desk, but only to look at and enjoy - for carrying it is usually a Stockman or a Jack. OH
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
A large Hen & Rooster.
I can never remember the name of these covers.
I can never remember the name of these covers.
Joe
- Quick Steel
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Would they be abalone? Or do you think something synthetic?
Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Sure look like peacock abalone to me - absolutely stunning knife Joe (as usual)!
Tom
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- Quick Steel
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Blue: I'm really liking that Boker. Hadn't seen that style of bolster before.
Many fine photos of interesting Congresses. These plus all the comments have expanded my view and understanding of the pattern. Thanks to all.
Many fine photos of interesting Congresses. These plus all the comments have expanded my view and understanding of the pattern. Thanks to all.
Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Thanks guys.
They are some sort of synthetic. Corolon??(sp)? perhaps.
They are some sort of synthetic. Corolon??(sp)? perhaps.
Joe
- jerryd6818
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
I'm probably incorrect but I'm including anything with a sway back frame and calling it a Congress.
A Belknap Hardware Congress (Boker??). Love those stepped bolsters. Did somebody say GEC Speaker Jack? The Clerk also has a Congress frame. It's the blades and bolsters on this one that tickled my fancy. They even come in a Whittler configuration. Queen made at least one over the past few years.
A Belknap Hardware Congress (Boker??). Love those stepped bolsters. Did somebody say GEC Speaker Jack? The Clerk also has a Congress frame. It's the blades and bolsters on this one that tickled my fancy. They even come in a Whittler configuration. Queen made at least one over the past few years.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
- peanut740
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
jerryd6818 wrote:I'm probably incorrect but I'm including anything with a sway back frame and calling it a Congress.I would add equal end bolsters to that statement.
A Belknap Hardware Congress (Boker??). Love those stepped bolsters.
Belknap Hardware Congress - Open Mark.JPG
Did somebody say GEC Speaker Jack?
GEC 133217 Speaker Jack Muslin Micarta - Open Mark Labeled.JPG
The Clerk also has a Congress frame.
GEC 130217 Clerk - Smooth Oiled White Bone - Labeled.JPG
It's the blades and bolsters on this one that tickled my fancy.
GEC_61_Mark Labeled.JPG
They even come in a Whittler configuration.
GEC 620311 UN-X-LD Courthouse Whittler Burnt Labeled.jpg
Queen made at least one over the past few years.
Queen #31 Congress (2012) Labeled.JPG
Roger
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
I really like those "barlow like" bolsters on that one QS.
Phil
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Thanks, S&M did a good job on this one; I like the total look. But I also really like the stepped bolsters that several have shown on this thread.
Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
I've always gravitated to the half congress, as the full congress feels too "fat" - I just like slimmer knives. My beef with the half congress is the secondary blade doesn't have much meat to it ... the large sheepsfoot is great, but the secondary is almost like a slim pen style blade which doesn't seem to fit at all in a medium to larger frame knife
pffffft that's not a knife ......... now THAT'S a knife !! Crocodile Dundee
John
John
Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Here are the only examples of the Congress pattern in my knife collection. I don't carry either of them but it has nothing to do with the Congress pattern, it's simply because I have other patterns that I prefer to EDC which adequately serve all my EDC needs and these GEC Northfield Elk knives I want to keep pristine as collectibles. Aesthetically, I do like the pattern (to look at) because of the graceful swayback curve, but my EDC cutting needs are better accomplished with other patterns.
Here are a couple Congress pattern knives that I just recently sold:
~Q~
Here are a couple Congress pattern knives that I just recently sold:
~Q~
~Q~
- Quick Steel
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Q, I think those GECs are flat out gorgeous. Usually, I am not particularly attracted by elk. But yours, imo, are exceptional.
- jerryd6818
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Garry, that S&M is some piece of work. Me likee.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.
"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
- Quick Steel
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Re: Ruminations On The Congress Pattern
Glad you like it. Also, I have been thinking of creating a file of "Jerryisms." I have two entries already: "pins and noodles;" and "britches sagger." Folks on the West coast don't talk like that, to their loss.