Congress recommendations?

[Dave_B]

I have been looking at Congress pattern knives and I would like more ideas before ordering. I prefer:
*Made in the US (preference, not an absolute)
*around 3 1/2 inches or so closed
*sheepsfoot, pen, coping and clip blades
*carbon steel or a high performance stainless (but I have several knives in 420HC and they work fine).
*I would prefer to spend less than $75 or so.

I welcome any advice

Dave_B

 

[WIL TERRY]

None of 'em in my collection have the specific blades you're asking for. The least expensive one I know of is the CAMILLUS CONGRESS pattern knife with two Sheepfoot and two Pen blades. This is quite an excellent carry knife and my YELO-JAKET version has given good service.
The CASE company has several CONGRESS pattern knives in their lineup with one being around 3 1/2" and the other about 4". Personally I prefer the latter size but that ain't no big deal either as both will do the job. I do hafta note here that the CASE red bone 4" CONGRESS I have in my collection was one of the dullest knives I have ever bought and isn't put together all that well either. As a matter of fact this particular knife pretty well put me off ever adding another CASE knife to my collection again.
The SMOKY MOUNTAIN KNIFE WORKS in TN has a bunch of different make CONGRESS knives in their catalog. The HEN&ROOSTER CONGRESS [ made by BOKER ] knives there are on sale there quite often and are excellent knives with a Sheepfoot, Spear, Pen, and Coping blades available in some of the knives.
The KNIVES PLUS folks in AMARILLO TX carry an excellent selection of EYE BRAND knives and these are among the best CONGRESS knives I have ever used. The EYE BRAND knives are mostly forged carbon steel of excellent quality but there is one CONGRESS EYE BRAND available in stainless steel, though if memory serves this particular one is from SMKW now that I think about it.
The BOKER folks have a bunch of CONGRESS knives in their lineup plus they make most all of the German pocketknives being sold today and you'll see the same patterns in several makes of knives.
You should also take a gander at the A.G.RUSSELL website as they have a nice selection of CONGRESS pattern knives including the nicest BOKER step bolster [ you'll see this bolster style in several makes ] CONGRESS with 440 SS blades, the only one I know of sold like this. It's a bit more than you noted but not a lot. I just took delivery of one of these a few days ago and I'm here to tell you it is gorgeous!!!
So now you have a lot to think about in selecting a CONGRESS pattern knife.

 

[fasteddie]

I like congress patterns a lot. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to show these pictures again.

Top row, L to R, Richard Rogers, Joel Chamblin, Gene Shadley (3.25in), Case XX 60452 circa 1950(?)
Bottom Row, L to R, Reese Bose (#3, 3in), Reese Bose (#7, 3.5in), Ryuchi Kawamura (his very first 4 blade congress)

 

[fasteddie]

Open views

 

[Dave_B]

Wow, thanks for the information and the great photos. I'm not too picky on the blades, I just don't want 2 sheeps foot blades. I'll check out SMKW and the Eye Brand knives at Knives Plus first.
Dave_B

 

[PhilL]

*I would prefer to spend less than $75 or so.

fasteddie, exactly how many of the knives in those pictures are in Dave's price point?

NIce knives BTW.

 

[Dave_B]

I'll bet Fasteddie wouldn't part with a single one for $75 - nice pics tho-
Dave_B

 

[knifeaholic]

Moore Maker of Matador Texas has some premium bone handle slipjoints made for them by Queen Cutlery.

They offer one stlye of congress - 3-1/2" long closed, yellow bone handles either jigged or smooth your choice, two long sheepfoot blades, small coping blade and small clip blade, very well tempered 1095 carbon steel blades....

This does not match your requirements exactly, but its the only congress made in recent years with a small clip blade as one of the blades.

 

[fasteddie]

Sorry. Just couldnt resist posting the pics. I love the congress pattern. In fact, I've been looking for a good one that I can carry and use every day, so I'll be checking out these recommendations. I've heard good things about the Eye brand congress. Think there were some recommendations made here in the last 6 months or so. You might want to search for that thread.