New GEC #13 Congress series (Clerk, Speaker Jack and Whip)

They can call it whatever they want, but the patterns have names that are a hundred years old (at least). Still, these are what i've been waiting for GEC to do for over 3 years.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do the "Speaker" in ebony and Tortoise! And with THREADED bolsters!
 
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It's definitely cool to see GEC doing rare old patterns. The Wharncliffe blade is something that I haven't seen on congress jacks and the I haven't seen an "office knife" congress jack but the "speaker" is a very traditional pattern. The old congress jacks are hard to find. It's not a pattern that I would typically use. To use, I'd prefer a single spring. I also prefer a shorter sheepfoot for better control when starting a cut in the middle of something. A single spring requires the sheepfoot to be shorter also takes up less space in a watch pocket. But as a fan of the oldies, I'm happy to see GEC making these knives. I don't recall anyone else making them either.
 
I think it would be interesting to see the wharncliff in the "jack" pattern also. It would make for a very slim knife.

Just a note to those thinking about other blades though, the Congress does not adapt well to blades with any belly. Clips, Spearpoints, etc. just don't do well in this frame. Think of it as an "equal ended swayback". But for slim blades it's hard to beat.
 
These will be available in both Tidioute and Northfield configurations as a standard factory production run - no SFO's are being made in the pattern at this time. The release date will likely be early next year, but is not determined. The "Office Knife" will have laser engraving, but handle material is still unknown.

That's all I can tell you factually right now guys. :) I like the jack, myself. ;)
 
I like the Clerk and Jack very much. I would like to see the Jack with a spear main and sheep or wharncliffe second. I know the spear would be hard to fit in the Congress pattern. But I like a short sheepfoot for better control and find the spear to be more of a general user.
 
gunstockjack said:
These will be available in both Tidioute and Northfield configurations as a standard factory production run - no SFO's are being made in the pattern at this time. The release date will likely be early next year, but is not determined. The "Office Knife" will have laser engraving, but handle material is still unknown.

That's all I can tell you factually right now guys. :) I like the jack, myself. ;)
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Thanks for the info! I'm liking the wharnies...
 
Camillus said:
Is the blade length on the speaker jack the same as on the 2013 forum knife? Seems a little too long and I understand it wasnt popular (read all about that knife this morning thanks to the search function).
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I kinda like the idea of a longer blade... I had a 61 but didn't keep it as I didn't like the blade to handle ratio. But, that's just me.
 
I like long blades but not long and skinny blades, especially when straight edge. But this is a rare pattern so it gets a pass. ;) I like the "speaker" the best since it most closely follows tradition. Definitely an interesting run since the pattern is so uncommon.
 
Schatt and Morgan made these a while back (I think 2002, which should have been when Bill was there, no?), they were covered in Mammoth Ivory:

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Maybe the GEC office knives will be something special like that.
 
I'm all over the speaker! Would be really nice to see one with indian trails and jigged bone.
 
Assuming these design drawings are accurate, looks like the pen knife on the Speaker will reside behind the main blade rather than in front of it like the 2013 knife. (Just an observation.)

Edit to add: Bill, if you see this, PLEASE use ebony or blackwood for the NF Speaker (it's such an elegant knife it demands something classy)!
 
Ebony, Blackwood, something dark and beautiful would look right on all these knives. As I recall, some African antelope have dark horns( :D ), certainly water buffalo can be black. A veritable wealth to choose from,especially considering the number of knives to be produced.
Neal
 
cbr1000 said:
I was thinking the same thing. I wonder if that's what the box of giraffe bone at GEC is for?
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Yeah I think those might be for the upcoming Northwoods with the spear , GEC definitely has some good things scheduled.
 
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Initially I took a liking to the clerk knife, but the engraving gave me second thoughts. Now the Speaker is starting to grow on me quite nicely.
 
I really like the look of that Speaker Jack! I'd like to see it in a dark brown color like in the mock-up. (That's kind of what I was hoping for with the 2016 forum knife, but it turned out a little lighter in color.)
 
eisman said:
I think it would be interesting to see the wharncliff in the "jack" pattern also. It would make for a very slim knife.

Just a note to those thinking about other blades though, the Congress does not adapt well to blades with any belly. Clips, Spearpoints, etc. just don't do well in this frame. Think of it as an "equal ended swayback". But for slim blades it's hard to beat.
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I take your point about the frame and the blade types. However, I think a Drop Point might fit in there as it is a low riding blade, it could prove a versatile rendering.

Northfields would look handsome in some manner of Blackwood/Ebony and their faux Tortoise is a really strong contender in the beauty stakes. Other carefully chosen acrylics that look like cell might also be worthwhile. Of course, Ivory Bone will look beautiful on this frame whatever the configuration. Winter bottom Bone could look well on this too:thumbup:

Getting very interested in this run, first time for awhile a GEC run has set me alight!
 
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