Congress Knife Research

RobertJ1

RobertJ1

Joined
Dec 21, 2015
Messages
478
I'm curious as to what people's opinions are for a decent or good, inexpensive to fairly priced Stag handled congress with coping blade would be? I'm doing some digging for future reference. I'd like to get one at some point for whittling while camping and whatnot. So, with that being said, let's hear what you all have to say. Thank you all for your input!
 
Not sure what blade types come with all models, but I have two Hen and Rooster stag four blade Congress knives. Absolutely love them! Next, I would check on Boker. Just not sure if they come in stag.
 
I just bought a Frost's in jigged bone with coping, pen, sheepsfoot and spear. I don't much like it because the edges are all so square. It was $6 at an antique store, though, so why not.
 
Depends on what you mean by inexpensive. I'd say a bulldog at around $50 or some other German made like eye brand or boker.
 
I carry a German Boker to work often. It's very sturdy, but almost too large for my pocket. They can be found used and in new condition, but aren't commercially available. Be aware that the Boker Plus knives are smaller with thin flexible blades. I have no experience with the American and Argentinian makes.
 
Robert it's not stag but I have a Rough Rider 4 blade Congress in red jigged bone I will give you if you would like to check it out. Just PM your shipping info to me and I'll get right out to you. This is it.


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To me the size is very important. A 4" Congress is really big. I like a 3 1/2" to 3 5/8" and it's surprising what the difference can be. Also, the way the main blades sit (high or low) can make a lot of difference. Last, there are several Congress type shapes, and they all fee different. I prefer that both the long curves not be parallel like some German knifes in this pattern are prone to do.

My favorite carry is the GEC BF Irish Congress from a couple years back, but my next is a 1970's Camillus that fits my watch pocket perfectly. One reason I like the Camillus is the blades are all different patterns, not often found.
 
Case offers many handle material variations of their 52 pattern Medium Congress (just a sixteenth over 3.5") and contains four different blade patterns (in the modern iteration, each on it's own spring). You can find this pattern in LOTS of bone and in stag as well. OH

Case_SC64052_Mini-Congress_-_Roman_numeral_SOF_-_1993.JPG
 
if you are good with stainless steel, this Hen and Rooster is a nice sized congress at about 3.5" closed:

The fit and finish is good, and I really like the long pulls:thumbup:
 
Word on the street is that, even with all of queen's reported fit and finish issues, a queen congress is one of the best on the market. I've been meaning to try one out for a long time. Maybe others can confirm or deny.
 
I did find one Queen Classic Congress on the big auction site but it is way too overpriced.

I am also considering the Queen Classic Whittler #48 with Federal Shield but cannot find one for the life of me...truth be told, any of the Queen 48's would fit my bill. But that Classic is an absolute beauty.
 
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