All About Pocket Knives

I am trying to find the earliest reference to the "Eureka" pattern name. There are so many of you collectors out there who have old catalogs, I was hoping you wouldn't mind seeing if you have the actual name in print, referring to a knife of that style!
Here's an extract from LG4, and a 1921 Catalog cut of a Western States, the earliest reference I can find for the name.

You happen to have any photos of some of your Eureka's? Sometimes I debate with myself whether I like Jack Knives or Pen Knives more..that never gets anywhere.

All three knifes in the book and article are very fine looking to me!

I don't own one, P & T!! That's part of the reason I posted Catalog pictures, but I am trying to find out how far back the pattern name goes. It's such an interesting name AND pattern. I've seen a couple I like, but the prices were very high. . . . . . . some day I'll own one. Meantime, I'll find out all I can.

Then I will keep an eye out for you too.

I checked all the old catalogs that I have copies of or the originals that I have and none call the knife a Eureka Pattern although there is one in an old Biddle hardware catalog dated 1908. I have attached a picture of the only one I own an etched Carrier Cutlery Eureka. It is not in the catalog that I have from Cronk & Carrier. I think it might be in and named in an old English Cutlery co like Rodgers?? Not sure but would like to know also.

Dayum Mike. You topped Charlie !

Gorgeous.

I wanna visit your house some day.

Fran

Thanks Fran. What does Charlie have ????

Charlie Has!!! . .. . . . .drum roll!!!!!


no eurekas


Very nice Eureka Mike!! They don't get much better!! Thanks for sharing your findings to date. I'll post anything I find here.


If you hear rustling at your front door tonight, ignore it! It will just be your imagination!! Breaking glass??? You are dreaming!!! Revving pickup truck, hand waving; that's me!!!

Eureka means "I have found it!" in Greek!!

i have found examples of the pattern in three blade(cattle knife and whittler) but no named jacks except in levines. most of the cats. list numbers without naming patterns. tough one charlie.

Thanks for the effort, Johnnie! I'll get something eventually!

That was fast!! My friend in Winsted, CT sent me this old Eureka Jack! It was obviously in transit when I posted my pathetic complaint of Eurekalessness !
It has seen a life (a long one) of usefulness, but retains its pattern. I have seen so many knives from the turn of the century era with Ebony handles, I want to date this knife back then, but it is hard to pin down, like most. Certainly it's a rare and old pattern. The complexity of the handle shape makes it labor-intensive to finish, so fewer were made than straighter-sided jacks.
What a pleasant surprise!

and.....it's an empire! great knife. i read on bf that even mr. levine did not know the answer. well, more research is needed. that pattern certainly gave way to more easily made patterns. too bad.

Beautiful knife and pattern Charlie