About the blades on a Congress...

[Captain O]

Why isn't there a Clip point blade on a Congress? Perhaps I am ignorant, but what is the purpose of two large Sheepfoot blades on the knife?

 

[ISKRA]

I imagine it has to do something with the tasks it was originally intended for. Looking at my half congress, I think a clip point blade would be difficult to house on a sway back frame like the congress's, the point would probably stick out.

 

[Rookie82]

I suppose in congress all they do is open envelopes, and eat lunch, and then open more envelopes, so the sheepsfoot profile was abundant. I have no idea if that's true, but it sounded good.

 

[Jeff_R]

I suppose in congress all they do is open envelopes, and eat lunch, and then open more envelopes, so the sheepsfoot profile was abundant. I have no idea if that's true, but it sounded good.

Um... But... Isn't that (and whittlin') what a guy is supposed to do with a pocket knife? If not, then I'll need to have an agonizin' reappraisal...

 

[Rookie82]

Um... But... Isn't that (and whittlin') what a guy is supposed to do with a pocket knife? If not, then I'll need to have an agonizin' reappraisal...

My main knife is a 3 blade, with a spear, clip, and sheepsfoot, and I admit I mostly use it to open my mail and cut my sandwiches. hahah I should apply to be a congressman!

 

[Will Power]

Some have Spear/Sheepfoot. I think Žan is correct, it's a question of the shape of frame and housing the blades. Allegedly, the pattern was more popular in the South (the frame shape originated in England, Germany and the name was used possibly to appeal to American sentiments). Sheepfoot blades are particularly useful for cutting plug tobacco that was at one time popular for pipes or chewing....pipes OK but chewing? Too 'traditional ' for even me :barf:

 

[afishhunter]

I heard the Congress pattern was a whittler. Allegedly got its name because the Congressmen were whittling the arms of their chairs while other members of their house gave long-winded boring speaches, lasting many, many, hours, in-which they said nothing of substance.

I don't know if the Senators and Congressmen of today are still whittlin' the arms of their chairs, but the speaches they give have not changed a bit.

 

[yablanowitz]

If you check out the GEC Maverick stockman, you can pretty much see why. If you are not familiar, it is a three blade Congress frame with clip, sheepsfoot and pen blades. The clip main is rather short, and even so is has a rather funky grind to fit it into the frame. If I could get Photobucket to cooperate I'd post some pictures.

Not all Congress pattern knives have two sheepsfoot blades anyway. I have several with sheepsfoot, spear, coping and pen.

Edit: tricked PB into working

 

[Peregrin]

For what it's worth I read up a little on the Congress pattern back when I was looking to add a few to my accumulation. It's my understanding that the knife was intended more as a gentlemen's knife, think of whittler, quill knife, fruit peeler etc. Many have fingernail files and variations on the blades. I've not run across any images of one with a clip blade. I do have a Schrade-Kious Reverse Congress that has a wharncliffe and a clip blade.

Here's an old thread which you might find interesting, http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/480034-Congress-knives.

I settled on a couple of Half Congress knives, one is a Case from 1972. The other a custom from Rick Menefee.

 

[supratentorial]

Case made a large 88 with a spear blade.

Congress knives were made in different sizes and with different blades. The small knives (sometimes with manicure files) were a gentleman's knife. The large knives were work horses.

In old ad copy for stock knives, cattle knives, congress knives, etc.... a sturdy sheepfoot was often described as for cutting tobacco or wood.

Some insight into the old patterns can also be had from the old ad copy. Here are a couple cuts from a M&G catalog. In 1890 the pattern was already considered old. The ad copy describes it as a popular knife in the South and Levine's Guide gives a similar statement

The ad copy says "there is twice the service in a "sheep-foot" blade than in any other". Sometimes literally. After one blade dulls you have a backup. But the sheepfoot blade has a lot of utility... possibly twice as much... depending on personal preference. The sheepfoot on a stockman is one of my most used blades.