Why so little love for the Congress pattern? Show yours.

[StubbyThumbnail]

Hello all,
I've often wondered why so little love for the Congress pattern, full, or half? I know GEC just hit a homerun with the E-Z Pocket Congress and the Pocket carvers. I have a few of the Pocket Congress knives. Other than this I see very few examples of the pattern posted here.
I don't carry one on a daily basis but always feel I'm well equipped when I do. The only downfall I can think if is blade length, but usually a full size Congress with fill my needs. I like a Tobacco Congress but sometimes find myself wishing I had a coping blade as a replacement for one of the pen blades. I also have purchased a couple of the recent manufactured Case XX Congress patterns and my main complaint with them is the nail nick on the spearpoint blade is not accessible unless I first open the pen blade.
I'm posting a picture of a few of mine and please post a picture of yours. It's been my experience we like pictures around here! At least I do!

 

[Old Biker]

Boker carvers congress.

And a case I used to own.

I like the congress pattern, but only if it doesn't have duplicate blades. There don't seem to be very many like that.
O.B.

 

[hornetguy]

Aside from all my 62's, this is the only congress I own. It is a Case, half congress with TruSharp blades. It's slightly smaller than the 62's, about 1/4" shorter. It's a very useful knife....

 

[Will Power]

I favour the GEC 62 Easy Pocket as it's a Penknife or Norfolk type construction with Wharncliffe master and single-spring.

Full Congress I've never liked carrying or using, too thick, too heavy and duplicate short blades, not very nice looking in my opinion and just not useful.

 

[StubbyThumbnail]

Aside from all my 62's, this is the only congress I own. It is a Case, half congress with TruSharp blades. It's slightly smaller than the 62's, about 1/4" shorter. It's a very useful knife....

I have that knife but in different color bone. Yes, it is very useful and a good carry.

 

[Chui]

- my first slippie from the 'States...

 

[hornetguy]

- my first slippie from the 'States...

Man..... that's a whole handful of "cutting" things right there.... nice stag, looks like it's wearing in nicely.

 

[JustinR]

Well we don't want to much congress love...can't afford a bull market on congress knives.

But yeah, I like 'em. I prefer the half congress style but do like some full 4 bladed versions from time to time too.

 

[JB in LV]

Is any part of a perceived lack of love because many people would just rather use a stockman?

 

[Prester John]

Well we don't want to much congress love...can't afford a bull market on congress knives.

But yeah, I like 'em. I prefer the half congress style but do like some full 4 bladed versions from time to time too.

Showoff!
You've got some real beauts there.

 

[waynorth]

Wow J JustinR !! Quite a nice collection!!
I've had a few (before I started to use a yellow background!!); but most of these have gone on to better homes!!
Some seller's remorse however!!

 

[mrknife]

too many blades for me

 

[Arathol]

 

[waynorth]

Some Schrade 2-blades.

 

[Modoc ED]

Case 6488 Congress

Below is a CV 4 1/8" Case 6488 Congress. The year of manufacture for this knife is 1972 (8-dot). As seen in the below pictures, this knife has four different style blades (large sheepfoot, large spear, small coping, small pen). All four blades have half stops. It is interesting (to me anyway) that Case treats both the large Sheepfoot blade and the large Spear blade as master blades. Note that both blades have the same "Case Tang Stamp" on each blade. The bolsters are nickle-silver, the liners are brass, and the shield is pinned. Also, note that Case was still cutting a scallop in the frame and cover (both sides on this knife) for easier access to the nail nick for the two small blades when this knife was made.

The covers of this knife are evenly matched from side to side with a nice red hue to them. The lighting wasn't good when I took these pictures but the third picture shows the red hue nicely.

It's the only Congress I have. I gave one away Just like it to another BF Member a couple/three years ago. It's not a particular favorite of mine but it is a robust knife and would certainly handle any task coming it's way.

 

[JustinR]

Wow J JustinR !! Quite a nice collection!!
I've had a few (before I started to use a yellow background!!); but most of these have gone on to better homes!!
Some seller's remorse however!!
View attachment 1358241

Wow! Those are some nice case congress knives.

Those still fetch big bucks so I haven't been able to dabble much in those.

What's the story on the one fifth from the top, just from the bolsters I would say a Boker...but that bone is very interesting?

 

[waynorth]

It's a Boker with checkered synthetic (a black fibrous compound??), Justin!!
I should have kept it - the only one I've ever seen!

 

[hornetguy]

Well we don't want to much congress love...can't afford a bull market on congress knives.

But yeah, I like 'em. I prefer the half congress style but do like some full 4 bladed versions from time to time too.

I'm curious about the 5 with the slanted bolsters under the Northfield.... are they GEC's?

 

[JustinR]

I'm curious about the 5 with the slanted bolsters under the Northfield.... are they GEC's?

Those are Queen made black box Winchester knives. Model 2935 in bone, pearl, and stag.

 

[eisman]

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