GEC #61 Congress - Opinions

Alright. I ordered one! Couldn't help myself.

I just looooove the silhouette of this knife. That curve, the square bolsters...

And I like the four blade setup, especially since the model I ordered has three different types of blades, rather than just two sets of the same. Also ordered a KSF insider pocketslip to carry it with. Thanks for the thoughts everyone!


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VermontEdge said:
This has all been very helpful but it still hasn't allowed me to answer that burning question: should I buy one!?

There's a four bladed (two wharncliffe and two different size pen blade) model in bocote that I'm right on the cusp of pulling the trigger on. Can someone push me one way or another?


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The time to buy it is when you find it !!!!!
Please post some pictures when you get it.


Harry
 
Chief said:
Two blade version.

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This one deserves another picture John .

Harry
 
MerryMadMonk said:
Here's another variant of the 61. Wharncliffe main, coping secondary. Half-stops on both blades. Single spring construction. Nickel silver bolsters, pins and liners. 3 5/8 inches closed. Excellent fit/finish. The long, deeply-stamped bolsters are not everyone's cup of tea, but I like 'em :)
Northfield61Congress_zpswskbatth.jpg
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Not much left to say about that one Al !!!
One of the few patterns left on my list to get .

Harry
 
pmew said:
I've two #61s;



A four blade Northfield and a two blade congress pen (commonly referred to as a half congress and there was a thread dedicated to that discussion some time ago but I can't find it. I tend to call them half congresses too although IIRC Mr Levine's opinion was that no such pattern existed).



The Tidioute teal bone was my second ever GEC and although I only ever bought one version of that pattern - it remains my most carried and most loved of all my folding knives.



I really like the four blade but don't tend to carry it very much yet as its a relatively recent addition. I love the banner shield and yellow bone though.



There is of course the harder to find and one of a kind #13 ...



... which is based on the same frame as the #61 ...



... but uses a jack formation and is known as a congress jack or Irish jack ...



... and has a considerably longer sheepfoot main.

For me however, I just can't get past this one. I sometimes put it away for a while but it always comes back and has been with me all over the place.













So all I can say is; get one.


- Paul
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Paul,
That was a seriously helpful post that also pushed me over the edge of ordering one. Thank you. When mine comes I will try my best to capture its beauty the way you managed to here [emoji1417]


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VermontEdge said:
Paul,
That was a seriously helpful post that also pushed me over the edge of ordering one. Thank you. When mine comes I will try my best to capture its beauty the way you managed to here [emoji1417]


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Thanks mate, you won't regret it. It is a very underrated pattern and gets little press here but for a small pocket full of utility you can't beat a little stout strait blade combined with a small bellied blade. :thumbup:


- Paul
 
I don't have a GEC but I have a Rough Rider 4-blade and quite like the utility of the thing. It's elegant, nice in the hand, the sheepsfoot and pen combination is great (think about the popularity of the Swayback Jack) and you never want for a sharp blade, or a blade if you need to do some scraping or other not so dainty work that night mess up an edge. The neat thing about the congress pattern, to me, is that it strikes a nice balance between elegance and refinement (wow, symmetry and four interleaved blades) but is capable of real work too. The only thing it's not adept at (not impossible of course) is food prep, because the blades are all on the short side. But for a lot of people that's not something they use pocket cutlery for, anyway.

Let us know what you think when you get it!
 
This is just one of four made in the original run of tortoise acrylic, which had a little more detail than the recent runs of tortoise.
Beautiful knife, and carries like a dream.

Tortoise61_zps02c3c935.jpg~original
 
Scratch that. I ordered one yesterday and asked that they inspect it for excessive blade rub or blade play. They cancelled my order today, saying that people who ask for knives to be inspected usually return them, and that they'd rather not have my business than risk leaving me disappointed :(

So I'm still hunting!


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Found one! We're back on! Haha. Will post pics when it arrives.


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black mamba said:
This is just one of four made in the original run of tortoise acrylic, which had a little more detail than the recent runs of tortoise.
Beautiful knife, and carries like a dream.

Tortoise61_zps02c3c935.jpg~original
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That is such a sexy knife. :thumbup:


- Paul
 
Yes, that Tortoiseshell has the blood marks in it like my Conductor has. Not sure if the recent issues have been this detailed?

I had a Stag GEC Half Congress, but I gave it away.....:eek::eek:
 
Thanks, Paul and Will. Yes, the newer runs look less realistic to my eye. The first runs Will, like yours and mine, were all pretty short runs. Maybe the more detailed tortoise was too hard to make.
 
I am organizing some knives to show-and-tell at the Rendezvous, and came across this one which I won't bring across the border for obvious reasons!
Disclaimer - the handle material was from an estate, and paperwork dates the tusk from pre-WWI. That is well before the ban, and from a time when Ivory was considered OK in society.
I will keep this piece in honor of the creature who gave its life for it, and never sell it for profit.
Serial number 02, Bill made a few knives for me in trade for the Elephant's tooth.
This is a great, single-spring pattern, very carryable with useful blades, and plenty of eye appeal, and, pocket appeal! Semi-sunk joints make up for the square end bolsters!

Congress Elephant 1.jpg Congress Elephant 2.jpg
 
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waynorth said:
I am organizing some knives to show-and-tell at the Rendezvous, and came across this one which I won't bring across the border for obvious reasons!
Disclaimer - the handle material was from an estate, and paperwork dates the tusk from pre-WWI. Than is well before the ban, and from a time when Ivory was considered OK in society.
I will keep this piece in honor of the creature who gave its life for it, and never sell it for profit.
Serial number 02, Bill made a few knives for me in trade for the Elephant's tooth.
This is a great, single-spring pattern, very carryable with useful blades, and plenty of eye appeal, and, pocket appeal! Semi-sunk joints make up for the square end bolsters!

View attachment 730720 View attachment 730721
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Wow, what a piece!. Thanks for sharing.
 
Stunning Charlie, thanks for sharing!

Sure wish GEC would offer regular (non-Northwoods) runs in mammoth...
 
Wow, Charlie! The lines on that knife are amazing!
Hoping to make it to the Rendezvous this year. I only live a couple hours south of there.
Doug
 
Paul here is your 61! From USA to Scotland to Australia- will it make it back and complete the world trip?

c2gGdnA.jpg
 
A well traveled Congress! Tell us more about this journey, please!
 
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