Preview: A New Pattern For 2017 -- The #13 Congress

[jerryd6818]

I'm going to have to save my shekels. This looks like something I may want two of.

[313 Mike]

....verrrrrrey interesting!
I think I like the speaker jack best out of those three, depends what that bone looks like in reality. If it is similar in style to what they used on those diamond jacks a few years ago then I am in...

[TripleF]

Very kniiiiiiiiiiiiiiice Jerry! Those would fit snuggly in your collection!!

[jerryd6818]

Scott you're so smart. I totally agree with you.

The Speaker Jack and the Clerk caught my eye. The Whip is okay but I'm just not much on single blades. It's the blades that did it for me of course.

I'm glad this pattern is not one of those little 3" or under knives.

[cody6268]

Always wanted an "Office Knife" with those handles, but the only ones I could afford were in such bad condition, why bother. So, that'll likely be the one I get if it's affordable--$50 or so.

[jmh58]

I am liking the Speaker Jack!! The Whip would be a nice "Fancy" carry too!!! John

[Jody744]

I really like the jack, hope they do some northfield versions!

[kootenay joe]

GEC already has a Congress frame that is 3.75", the # 61 & # 62. This new # 13 is just a hair smaller at 3.71", 4/100's of an inch to be exact.
What might be the reason for making a new frame that is so close to what they already have ?
I have a # 62 with elephant ivory handles, very fine knife, every aspect is just right.
kj

[Colonel26]

I'm a liking that Speaker Jack.

[melton714]

Where are these available at I'm a Congress collector and this is right down my driveway?

[jerryd6818]

Where are these available at I'm a Congress collector and this is right down my driveway?

Not yet and may not be until next year.

[Tsar Bomba]

GEC already has a Congress frame that is 3.75", the # 61 & # 62. This new # 13 is just a hair smaller at 3.71", 4/100's of an inch to be exact.
What might be the reason for making a new frame that is so close to what they already have ?
I have a # 62 with elephant ivory handles, very fine knife, every aspect is just right.

This looks like a "skinnier" frame to me, evokes some of those old Cases which are just a hair shorter than this one is going to be. The #62 reminds me of those broader Queen type frames, though it is weird that GEC is barely varying the length that much. I think a skinnier Congress frame gives GEC some flexibility for future runs, though these PPPs look pretty great too. I'm kinda glad there's no "traditional Congress" on this run.

I really like the Office Knife on a Congress frame with a Wharnie (I wonder if it'll be in smooth bone instead of a synthetic - the Office Knife is usually a shadow pattern, right?) and the Speaker Jack would make a fine complement with the sheepsfoot and the nice darker bone. The Whip looks great, too, but it would be so redundant to the Clerk that it's a hard sell. I suppose I could be convinced once I see a photo of the bone instead of the mock-up...

[biglmbass]

GEC already has a Congress frame that is 3.75", the # 61 & # 62. This new # 13 is just a hair smaller at 3.71", 4/100's of an inch to be exact.
What might be the reason for making a new frame that is so close to what they already have ?
I have a # 62 with elephant ivory handles, very fine knife, every aspect is just right.
kj

I don't think it's a new frame, unless I'm terribly mistaken. It's the same frame they used for the Blade Forum Congress Jack that was made a few years ago w' white micarta scales. Why they made a new frame for it back then, so close to an existing frame is a mystery.

These new ones look interesting and as Congress collector, I'm looking fwd to them.

[Tsar Bomba]

I think it's a safe assumption that this is a new frame that is, curiously, incrementally shorter and a smidgen skinnier than the existing GEC "swayback" Congress-style frames. How much of an alternative it will be to the #61 is anybody's guess, but I do like what they're doing with the blade configurations and apparent finishes for the first run of #13s.

We'll see for sure if they give the first knives the PPP etch. I'm excited and plan on reserving a couple of these. The Congress bug has bitten me recently so this is most fortunate.

[kootenay joe]

Quote: "Congress bug has bitten me recently"
I am only half bitten (nibbled ?). I really like the Half Congress pattern, but feel no attraction to a 'full' Congress. I like slender knives so this is likely the reason for my opposite reactions.
kj

[Tsar Bomba]

After carrying my new (to me) stag half-whittler this weekend I can pick up what yer layin' down, KJ. It was a treat how that knive vanished in the pocket and a sheep/pen combo is always a good & useful blade selection. The blade redundancy on the 2x sheep 2x pen knives often chases me away from a full Congress but I do enjoy the ones with a variety of blades like my new 64052:

Very excited to lay eyes on the GEC #13s to see what they do with this venerable pattern.

[kootenay joe]

Here is a very nice GEC #61 pattern, 3.75", with a wharncliffe master & coping secondary. The fit is one of the best of my GEC's. The ivory handles are a little bland, flat off-white, but still it's a keeper & would make a fine "Grandpa" knife too.
I still do not understand why make a new frame, the # 13, that is only 4 one hundredths of a inch different in length from this nicely sized # 61.
kj

[philllll]

The #13 isn't a brand new pattern, it was designed and previously used on the 2013 Bladeforums club knife.

[jerryd6818]

GEC #61 pattern, 3.75",kj

#61 is 3-5/8", not 3¾" ----- 3-5/8" is 3.625" which makes the #!3 at 3.71", 85 thousandths larger.

Stick to the metric system. In spite of the fact that I dislike the metric system, it is better (and easier).

[kootenay joe]

Knivesshipfree lists the # 61 as 3.75".
My ivory # 61 shown above measures exactly 3 3/4" which is the same as 3.75".
kj

[jerryd6818]

I had never measured mine. I just went by the GEC advertised length. Looks like it's somewhere in the middle. Yeah, it's slightly cocked in the calipers but the measurement doesn't change when you get it square in between the jaws. It is closer by a smidge to 3/4" than it is to 5/8".

[Tsar Bomba]

We got some GEC science going on!

[kootenay joe]

It is odd that GEC website has 3 5/8" but KSF has it as 3 3/4". It's a minor point but it is unusual to get a discrepancy between GEC & KSF.
I wonder if the rounded bolster model is 3 5/8" and the square bolsters add 1/16" on both ends making it 3 3/4" ?
If i dig into my GEC hamper i might be able to find the answer !
kj

[jerryd6818]

Quite frankly, I don't give a fig. I just like the knife.

[jmh58]

Looking like they are gearing up for thisun!!! John