All About Pocket Knives

The Congress in 2 or 4 blade is not a pattern often spoke of. There are several reasons for this First while this style was a favorite in the 19th and early middle 20th century today it is not as popular as say a lock back or stockman pattern. I have always had a penchent for this style it has almost an elegance. The arching back and bent shield as well as the usually fancy bolsters always catches my eye. These pieces especially in the older knives are a fairly rare pattern especially in the big ( over 4" closed ) models. To me it always seemed that this style was a bit more difficult to make because of its lines. These were made usually in 3 sizes. I have attached some pics of Schrade Cuts in bone, Schrade Walden in Bone, Pearl, and delrin. I also put in a large Warwick example which to compare with the same large size Schrade Cut as well as a Canal Street which is presently being made and sold. I had to put the Canal street in it is as nice or nicer than even the old versions and for todays standards that is a rarity. LT PS I added a ruler for comparison and the cat hair on the redbackround is also free. LT

Nice Congress collection, LT. I agree, the pattern is one of the more attractive ones. Almost sculptural in form, the curving handle makes for a secure grip as well, when in use!
3 1/16", 3 1/2", and 4 1/4" for the 3 Schrades, if I am reading the ruler right??

Here are my Schrade Cuts to add to the fray;
Two 3" and one 3 1/2".
Can anyone tell me about the odd plastic handle on the middle one? An unusual interpretation of stag, I've heard it called acetate, celluloid, delrin, rough black, and bakelite!?!?

The Congress was VERY prominent on "dead pecker row", amongst the spit 'n whittle group, down on the Courthouse square, not too many years ago. The shape lends itself to whittlin', quite well.

Four blades were waaay more desireable, because there was less need to resharpen. Kinda like the repeating rifle - sharpen on Sunday, whittle all week...

Upnorth, I've always called that rough black, but a few old-timers just called it "rubber". Definitely not celluloid, or bakelite, but I really can't say what the composition was.

Terrific knives, everyone. My old Primble looks junky, compared to those !

JR

Actually composition is exactly how it is referred to. I have a couple of those but they were in another case and I already had the 10 pic limit. That was an early 40tys and 50tys plastic which was quite brittle. it is the same material used on the Schrade Walden hunter automatics I have mentioned it before. When this handle material breaks it unlike bone or even cell is not replacable since that form of early plastic has not been made in years. Here is a pic of the Walden knife stationary with logo. LT PS there is a Schrade stationary on this same pic it is not a congress I just did not want to take the time to edit it. PPS Those big congress are my favorite size they are hard to come by anymore.

Ha! Repeating rifle is a good one, ringmaster. Nice knives you show us, Upnorth and LT. Very nice. I like them a lot. Truth to tell, I own not a one... not a congress by anyone. I like the Canal Street, but don't know if they are making them with pearl handles or not. Don't have any pearls at all on thier website.

The term 'rough black' seems to have been used by a bunch of companies, although I don't know if the actual material is the same or not. I have handled and looked at pieces by different companies right next to each other, but I don't know. Bernard Levine says bakelight was never used on pocket knife handles, and he must be pretty sure of that, cause he also likes to say 'you cannot prove a negative'.

I have seen some people refer to a two bladed congress as a 'senate' knife. I don't think any manufacturer has ever done that, but I won't say for sure... 'Cause you cannot prove a negative'.

More grand old Congress knives, please.

Phil

Canal did make a pearl edition for someone. Not available right now I will let you know if I hear of another edition being done. They are working on a second cut rams horn sunfish ( for AG Russell ) it is amazing. I would like to see that on a congress. LT

How about a Queen Congress (does the Queen have a Congress? ) pattern.....



Oh, and maybe one of those "Repeaters".....



Bill

One negative I can prove, easily, is that I don't know everything!

The congress on the stationery is very cool! I wonder if they ever made an actual one with those fancy bolsters?

Here is a group of congresses. I have sold about half of them.

Nice knives LT, Charlie & Lobo!

Dale

here is a nice strawberry robeson 2-blade congress. it is my absolute favorite pattern and i have several.

I believe Walden did make the threaded bolster congress on the stationary. Threading and pinched bolsters were fairly common on the higher end versions of most patterns. Here are several examples from fairly simple to more complex. These are all Schrade cuts however they were contemporary with the Waldens and also from Walden ( just a few blocks away ) so they represent similar examples. The large deluxe english Jack on the left is the most complex. They made at least 2 versions of this pattern with this being the more expensive model. The large doctors ( second on right ) also was a higher end pattern. These trappers with the bomb or arrow shield as well as the cell version also received lesser amounts of the fancy threading. LT

Nice comparison shot, LT. I have a few of those models, but none with the fancy threading; just one line on a few.
They must be quite rare! I suspect the threads and "rats" were done by hand. If they were forged into the bolsters, we'd see more of them.
You are a lucky man!

Those are some stunning examples LT, that's a collection of a lifetime in that photo alone. I've noted a number of the threaded congress knives in the Keen Kutter versions circa 1905-1917, so I'd imagine there were similar Walden stamped knives. There were 25 pearl Canal Street congress knives made for Cumberland Knife Works either in 2005 or 2006. unfortunately they've been sold out for a while now.

Eric

This was I believe Schrades last issue of what could be called a CONGRESS pattern. It was a collaboration and had damascus blades notice it also incorporates threading it was a limited edition and I thought you might enjoy the pics. LT

Great knives LT.
My keyboard is shorting out.
2 keys are sticking. (really, though I think it was a soda I spilled).

There is a Schrade/Kious on ebay now with a $300 BIN.

Dale

Those Kious designed knives are cool! Do they have sunk joints??

Back to traditional Congress knives, here are my 4 blade Schrade Waldens;

Here is a nice little Hammer Brand Congress that I have had for a couple of years.

James

Tapered congress!! Cool James!!

Thanks upnorth. It has been cleaned but I just couldn't resist the pretty bone on it.

James

I came to this thread & scrolled down and read Charlie's post at a glance..............only I didn't read tapered, I saw TAMPERED.
I thought the next post would say something about the 2007 US House & Senate!

I nearly fell off my chair laughing!

Dale
hangs his head & goes off to take his pills

Well it WOULDA been a great joke!
Congress is never quite straight anyway!

great knives everyone. i dragged this old thread up. some great congress knives some have'nt seen.

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... ess+sesion

James, that is a FINE looking NYK! Here are a couple of brethren, a Walden Knife Co and a pearl (quite used) Keen Kutter:

Eric

Great knives Eric, that Walden is fantastic..

Sunburst