Winchester Congress

[KeithAM]

Okay, you guys have given me the slipjoint bug.

Today I came upon a Winchester (Queen) reproduction of a large Congress. It is identical to the first real knife my father bought for me in September 1968, right down to the shield. I still have the original, which was branded Belknap Hardware. It is really beat up -- deep scratches on all of the blades, sharpened so much that the blades have lost their original shapes.

Here's examples at Collector Knives:

http://www.collectorknives.net/image/WIJVLGCongress2.JPG

Anyway, it would be a very nostalgic purchase if I get it.

One thing I'm wondering is what kind of steel did Queen use in this one? Since there's no designation on the Website I assume it's a mild stainless like 420HC. I guess I'm wondering whether it's a good value at that price ($74) because for the same money I could get a Queen Congress in D2. The Queen, however, is not the same as my "first" knife.

Any thoughts?

 

[cpirtle]

To my knowledge most of the Winchesters made by Queen since the early 1990's have been Queens standard stainless which, IIRC is 420hc.

I would suggest looking for ones that were made in the 80's, still made by Queen for Bluegrass but they all had carbon steel blades and most are above average quality. I have about 6 or 7 - 80's era Winchesters and they're great.

Not sure if a Congress pattern was put out in the 80's but I'm not personally a fan of that style so I can't say I've been looking. eBay is a great source for reasonably priced older Winchesters. (There's a 1996 bone Congress up now for $60)

 

[knifeaholic]

Those congresses are all 1095 carbon steel and will be absolutley great users. Queen made very very few bone handled Winchesters in stainless and all those that I know of were patterns other than the congress.

The price of $74 is pretty good, you could probably get one cheaper on Flea Bay if you have the patience to wait for one to show up.

 

[sunnyd]

Those congresses are all 1095 carbon steel and will be absolutley great users...

...The price of $74 is pretty good, you could probably get one cheaper on Flea Bay if you have the patience to wait for one to show up.

Flea Bay .. I never heard that before .. Good one!

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KiethAM,

The Winchester knives that Belknap Hardware sold were great. I have had several of these myself in the distant past. I also have some of the Bluegrass knives which are darn good users. My vote is to get the very same congress that you described in your post for the $74. I think you will be glad you did ....... And welcome back to slipjionts! Nice to have you here.

 

[KeithAM]

Thanks everyone for the information and thanks Sunnyd for the kind welcome.

I've definitely got the slipjoint bug. I've got the few I have out and I've been carrying and using them, including my first real knife. I went to a knife show over the weekend and saw a lot of nice custom knives -- mostly tactical folders. I enjoyed it a lot but couldn't help thinking -- where are the slippies?