The Congress knife pattern first appeared in the early nineteenth century, when cutlers in Sheffield, England, were producing knives for the growing American market. The pattern quickly became popular in the United States, where its compact, curved handle and multiple blades made it practical for a wide range of daily tasks. Sheffield firms exported large numbers of Congress knives to America, and from there the design became a familiar sight in pockets across the country.

The design caught on because it simply worked. The handle had a gentle curve that made it comfortable in the pocket, and the four small blades tucked inside were handy for just about anything. A classic Congress usually carried a pair of larger blades and a pair of smaller ones, so you always had the right edge for the job. That versatility made it a natural fit for everyday use, especially in the American South, where the knife became almost a regional trademark. Farmers, tobacco hands, and cotton workers kept them close, and whittlers passed time on courthouse benches carving wood with them. Old-timers would tell you the twin blades on many models weren’t just for show; they were practical. If one edge went dull, you flipped to the other and kept on cutting.

Even as trends shifted toward lockbacks and one-hand openers in the late twentieth century, the Congress pattern never completely disappeared. Boker and Hen & Rooster continued to make them in Solingen, while Case carried the pattern forward in the United States. Case continued to produce the Congress until 2008, when it was vaulted. In 2023, the company brought it back through their Vault program, selecting the ’68 Small Congress as the featured pattern for the year. Rough Ryder has also helped keep the Congress alive with an extensive lineup of affordable models in countless handle materials, making the knife accessible to nearly anyone.

Looking back, the Congress has had one of the steadiest runs of any pocketknife pattern. From Sheffield workshops to Southern farms, from Lincoln’s pocket to modern collector cases, it has managed to survive changing tastes and still hold onto its identity. Its curved frame, its collection of small but useful blades, and its place in American history give it a staying power few designs can match. Today, whether you pick one up from Case, Boker, GEC, or Rough Ryder, you’re carrying a piece of knife history that has been trusted for nearly two centuries.