Ruminations On The Congress Pattern

[Tsar Bomba]

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.

[rangerbluedog]

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.

[FRJ]

Here's a nice little Ames Cutlery Co.

[Tsar Bomba]

Here's a nice little Ames Cutlery Co.

Intentional Wharnie master? Very nice. Looks like top-notch construction, too.

I see a direct line from that knife to the #13 Clerk.

[FRJ]

I think that probably wants to be a sheepsfoot.

[americanedgetech]

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.

[FRJ]

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.

[Old Hunter]

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

[FRJ]

Here's an old W. H. Morley & Son.

[FRJ]

Here's a George Wostenholm. 4 inches closed.

[FRJ]

A large Hen & Rooster.
I can never remember the name of these covers.

[Quick Steel]

Would they be abalone? Or do you think something synthetic?

[bestgear]

Sure look like peacock abalone to me - absolutely stunning knife Joe (as usual)!

[Quick Steel]

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.

[FRJ]

Thanks guys.
They are some sort of synthetic. Corolon??(sp)? perhaps.

[jerryd6818]

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.

[peanut740]

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

[Quick Steel]

[philco]

I really like those "barlow like" bolsters on that one QS.

[Quick Steel]

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.

[Lansky1]

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

[QTCut5]

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~

[Quick Steel]

Q, I think those GECs are flat out gorgeous. Usually, I am not particularly attracted by elk. But yours, imo, are exceptional.

[jerryd6818]

Garry, that S&M is some piece of work. Me likee.

[Quick Steel]

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.