All About Pocket Knives

It took me a while but I finally found a five-blade congress online, (not ebay), I think it was a Bulldog.
But I have not yet been able to locate a six-blade in current production, and I do NOT mean Victorinox.
If it was good enough for honest Abe why the scarcity?
A six-blade would have to be sturdy and well made to be of any real use, and that's a challenge in itself, I suppose.
I also saw five-blades at one end of a knife as well as alternating at both ends, which makes more sense to me, springwise.
Do all these blade combinations fit under the "congress" lable?
Why the name "congress" anyway? Is it really that obvious?

Hi Edgewise. It is my understanding that one of the defining characteristics of a congress is an even number of blades at each end along with a bowed handle. There is much debate over the origin of the pattern . In Sheffield, it dates back to before the US civil war. At this time many were exported, especially to the southern states. Coincidentally, Lincoln's knife resides in the Library of Congress. I wrote them once for more info on Lincoln's knife but, alas, no response. s-k

p.s. Dire Straits had a song called six-blade knife. Maybe if I play it backwards the secret will reveal itself.

I've never heard of a 5 blade congress made by Bulldog, trappers, sowbellies, and stockman yes. A congress usually will have an equal number of blades on each side.

There are a couple 6 blade congress by Bulldog on the following site.

http://www.collectorknives.net/bulldog.html

Scroll about half way down and those are reasonable prices. Bulldog last made the 6 blade congress in 1998, I belive.

Here is a picture of one, they all look just about the same - shape wise. This is a 6 blade and I got it at the same site some time ago.

Hukk wrote:...I've never heard of a 5 blade congress made by Bulldog, ...

My mistake Hukk. I thought a congress was anything over three blades.
Thanks to you and S-K for the info.

It ain't no Bullfrog, er, uh, I mean Bulldog, but how about a 12 blade?

Hey Bill I'll trade you a Bullfrog for that there knife...

Sunburst

What about a congress whittler? They only have three blades. I've never heard of any thing about the same number of blades on each end.

CCBill wrote:It ain't no Bullfrog, er, uh, I mean Bulldog, but how about a 12 blade?

That must be an exhibition piece. (I can't understand how twelve men would want to share one knife. )

I can't think of anyone who would need twelve blades either.
But then again, who buys a knife just because he needs it?
I wonder what pattern you'd get if you combine all those blades into one?
The most versatile blade pattern known to man!!!!
A Loveless drop-point? Loveless city knife?
Castrator?

Thanks for all the input.

KnifeKid had an UNIQUE ganged knife.

I hope he comes and show us it again..

Here are a set of three (one each of fingerprint abalone, AAA MOP, and black lip pearl) with matching serial numbers. They are all 6 bladed although I don't have all the blades out on every knife in my pictures. I also include a pic of the flyer accompanying them. I also have a statement from PKCS original ad stating they are "probably some of the rarest knives ever offered" by Parker (big deal, right?).Send me an email if you want more info etc. Gorgeous knives and a deal can be had. I'd be happy to share the info and pictures I have.I hope this helps. -Glenn