Anybody like the congress pattern

[Big Dave]

The congress pattern does not get a whole lot of attention. I kind of like it. Are there any congress fans out there? If so, please show me what you like?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Ed T]

I am a big fan of that pattern. i have a large Queen congress knife that is becoming a favorite.

 

[Amos Iron Wolf]

Yep. I have a few of em. One is a Boker, long-shield with carbon blades and stag scales. Another is a Camillus Yello-Jaket. Oh yeah, and a stag handled, Queen, two blade.

The Queen:

The Boker:

And, the Camillus. I also have a yellow-handled, non-YJ, Camillus too. Same thing, but no serrated blade or blade etch. Both of these are really great pocket carries.

My Dad, gave me his pocket worn Kissing Crane when I was going off the Army basic in 81. I've since passed that onto my son. I've also given the old man a few folders this past year.

 

[Ed T]

Took me a while to find the icture, but here is a poor picture of my Queen with a Case, Bulldog, and Henckels.

 

[thawk]

Schrade Walden 974
3" Congress
Circa late 60's Early 70's

 

[Blues]

I've always liked the pattern though the only one I own is a four blade Case (yellow handle) in CV. Makes a great whittler.

 

[malextwo]

My first of this pattern. Handy size, and very comfortable. 3 1/2 Cl.

Mike

(pics from prev. owner)

 

[JD Mandrell]

I'm not a huge fan, I do have one left in my John Primble collection.

 

[ElCuchillo]

Abe Lincoln Carried a Congress knife. It was in his pocket the night he was shot.

 

[Morablades]

Not a fan of the congress. I prefer trappers.

 

[stevekt]

I just picked up my first congress pattern knife. It's also my first experience with Steel Warrior. It's 3.5", 440A, blue bone scales, and seems to be put together pretty well. It's got smooth joints with healthy springs, finish is good and there is no blade rubbing. I'd say it's a pretty good deal for $15.

I do think the blades are rather thin compared to other pocket knives I have. Is this simply a matter of it being a $15 Chinese knife or are congress blades typically thin in order to fit 4 blades in a small handle? I can't complain too much since a thinner blade will likely slice better. I don't rough up my knives too much so I'm not concerned about snapping a blade.

 

[ahgar]

i've had a couple and the only one i liked was a big case with bone scales about the size of the large stockman. it was a dandy.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Abe Lincoln Carried a Congress knife. It was in his pocket the night he was shot.

Yep, the irony being that he rarely carried a pocketknife, because he was frequently depressed and feared he would harm himself with it.

Here's a great shot of the contents of his pocket on the night he was assassinated.

Oddly enough, he was also carrying a $5 confederate bill????

 

[Phil in Alabama]

I like the handle shape and the large amount of blades, but it's the shape of the blades that have kept me from buying congresses. If they would replace one of the large sheepfoot blades with a clip pointed blade like a stockmans, I would want it. I had a Queen congress once upon a time, a Master Cutler Series knife with cocobola scales and Queen Steel blades. The two smaller blades were both clip points, with two large sheepfoots. I ended up swapping it off before I got to use it, as I was offered about double what I had paid for it. My favorite local knife seller has a very pretty stag Queen two bladed congress, like the one in Amos Iron Wolf's picture, but with even better stag. I would buy it if had the small blade clipped, as I like at least one really pointy blade for certain things like picking splinters. Never had much use for the large blunt sheepfoots though. Wouldn't it be nice to have a custom maker build one in a congress handle pattern with four blades to suit my individual preferences! I'd pick a long clip for skinning squirrels and other such chores; a small clip for opening up blister packed goods, cleaning fingernails, picking splinters and such; a punch/awl for starting holes and piercing things; and a combination tool like the Victorinox SAK's have (can opener/bottle opener/screwdriver/wire stripper all in one). With some lovely stag of course. Sounds pretty expensive though!

 

[Big Dave]

Thanks for the photos.

I'm thinking of having Ohta make me one when my number comes up. Here's a link to one of the best photos I came across at hoffmanknives.
http://hoffmanknives.com/hk_1mainframe.htm?hk_gallery_knife-wh7-23.htm~main

I like the design of the swell center. It's a little on the small side though.

Take care,
Dave

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I am like Phil, I love the handle shape and look of them but would like them better with different blade options.

 

[smiling-knife]

It's not my favourite pattern but I have a few. This Boker is from the early 1970s.

 

[fasteddie]

A Case 4 blade congress was my dad's favorite knife when I was growing up and became my favorite. First Bose I bought was a Reese 4 blade congress. I set a goal of getting a congress from every custom maker who makes one. I've now got Richard Rogers, Tony and Reese, Shadley, pretty much everyone except Bill Ruple. I've got the first 4 blade congresses made by Ryu, Joel Chamblin, Rick Browne, and Tony Boses #1. I frequently carry a 4 blade by Reese that was patterned after the Lincoln congress. My favorite pattern for sure.

 

[sunburst]

That Lincoln Pattern congress looks like you robbed it right out of old Abe's pocket, very nice...

Here are a few..

 

[Blue Sky]

Congresses are nice (especially that S&M), but this variation is one I like the most:

Reverse Congress

Don't own one yet, but it's on the short list.