GEC Half Congress

HAKnPocket

HAKnPocket

Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
1,693
I think I like them. Anyone have any experience with them? I have been wanting an EZ-Open with a sheep's foot blade but this looks similar to that but includes the pen blade. I am assuming that like the smaller GECs the walk and talk will be great, the pull will be smooth yet somewhat stiff, and the overall quality will be amazing. Any comments are greatly welcome and I hope this thread doesn't become a "back and forth" like my last one on nail breakers. So lets keep this one simple please.
 
HAKnPocket said:
Any comments are greatly welcome and I hope this thread doesn't become a "back and forth" like my last one on nail breakers. So lets keep this one simple please.
Click to expand...

If any comments are welcome you must allow for some "back and forth" (or you won't get a variety of opinions with which to make an intelligent choice).

That said, what we will insist upon is a fair and honest discussion without personal attacks or hyperbole.
 
Absolutely some back and forth is expected but wow did that last thread get a bit off topic. Maybe that would be a bit better of word choice. Let's keep on topic.
 
I haven't handled the two-blade GEC Congress, but since the opposing blades share opposite ends of the same spring like my GEC four-blade, I'd expect both versions to have a similar feel. The pulls on mine are a very nail-friendly firm-'5' to light-'6' but the short, stout blades have a confidence-inspiring snap at the halfstop and a nice solid feel when open. I'd say they have the Congress walk 'n' talk dialed-in "Goldilocks" style: not too hard; not too soft; juuuuust right :). You can open and close it throughout the day without spoiling your manicure but you don't need to baby the springs at all when you're working.
 
I have the GEC banana bone half-congress-I like it a lot. Nice and slim, blades have a nice sharp edge, and the pull id just right: Not a nail-breaker...it's a great little carry!!!...Tony
 
That's what I wanted to hear Tony. Thanks for the input. I am still trying to find the one that feels right. So I guess I need to add this one to the list. And the yellow bone gets my vote off the bat.
 
I've got the Stag version and I'm extremely pleased with it. Build quality is excellent(no gaps, the thing I HATE in a knife) the single spring makes it practical in the pocket and the raised Sheepfoot with Longpull present easy opening, smooth action.

However, don't forget the No.25 EZ-Open either, with a longpull and a swedge atmosphere on the Spearblade it is a super opener, stout and broad bladed, the Half Congress obviously has much narrower blades. Yes, you need to get both while they're still around!
 
i recently got a banana bone in the stock whitt. great knife for the ease you can relocate it if you're outside working & moving around. my chores require a heftier blade but i certainly would carry the half congress if i was'nt cutting haystring. the smaller knife opens easier & not noticed in pocket.
dennis
 
jivedaddy said:
I have the GEC banana bone half-congress-I like it a lot. Nice and slim, blades have a nice sharp edge, and the pull id just right: Not a nail-breaker...it's a great little carry!!!...Tony
Click to expand...

I'd sure love to see some pics. Sounds like a mighty sweet EDC candidate.

-- Mark
 
Here ya go Mark:
IMG_0211.jpg
IMG_0209.jpg
 
I have the "full congress" in banana bone, and it is a lovely little thing. I think I would like it even better if it were the "half" version. I'm not a big fan of the redundant blades on this pattern, but I love the pattern itself . It is a great size, very well made, and with just the right amount of spring tension.

I count myself as among those who strongly dislike nailbreakers. GEC's Congress is fairly gentle in that regard. And the banana bone is one of my very favorite of GEC's scale choices. I would say that particular half-congress is a definite winner. I've eyed it myself.
zzcongress.jpg


Note the flush backsprings, which are so in all positions. :thumbup:
 
I have the half Congress in midnight bone. It was the knife that really made me stop buying tactical knives. Very well made, light, fit and finish was excellent. Unlike the larger GECs I have the springs were not nailkillers (which is good for me with weak nails). It is in my regular EDC line up. Unlike the smaller 25s, the half Congress is not a three finger knife for me. It fills my hand just fine.
 
DennisStrickland said:
my chores require a heftier blade but i certainly would carry the half congress if i was'nt cutting haystring. the smaller knife opens easier & not noticed in pocket.
dennis
Click to expand...

dennis, is it that the blade is not heavey enough or that the blade is not long enough for you? i would think it should be able to handle haystring in a handy fassion. are the blades thin?
 
I just got my GEC burnt stag half congress today. It was not that sharp out of the box, but the fit and finish is excellent. Its thin enough for carrying in my khaki pants at work. Id like to pull the edge back and make it razor sharp. This is my first GEC knife and the back spring is way better then my Case fisherman knife.
 

Attachments

  • congress 003.jpg
    congress 003.jpg
    67.1 KB · Views: 90
  • congress 004.jpg
    congress 004.jpg
    36.3 KB · Views: 106
Last edited:
adamjames said:
I just got my GEC burnt stag half congress today. It was not that sharp out of the box, but the fit and finish is excellent. Its thin enough for carrying in my khaki pants at work. Id like to pull the edge back and make it razor sharp. This is my first GEC knife and the back spring is way better then my Case fisherman knife.
Click to expand...


I like the looks of that. Can you tell me what it measures through the middle (thickness that is), as I'm not familiar w/ the one that's pictured beside it for comparision? I picked up a Case 1/2 Congress this Saturday and love how thin it is.
 
Last edited:
biglmbass said:
I like the looks of that. Can you tell me what it measures through the middle (thickness that is), as I'm not familiar w/ the one that's pictured beside it for comparision? I picked up a Case 1/2 Congress this Saturday and love how thin it is.
Click to expand...

Thickness is 7/16" at the widest point
 
I received my half congress in American cherry today. I also received a #25 ez open desert sand with a sheepsfoot blade. Here are some comparison pics along with my #25 ez open American elk with spear blade and #25 wharncliffe jack. I have my dogleg jack in the last 2 pics as a comparison of another smallish GEC knife with a pen blade.

IMG_0435.jpg

IMG_0436.jpg

IMG_0437.jpg

IMG_0439.jpg

IMG_0441.jpg

IMG_0443.jpg

IMG_0444.jpg

IMG_0446.jpg

IMG_0448.jpg

IMG_0449.jpg

IMG_0450.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top