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Ken Erickson: "Eureka Jack"

Blues

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Over the past year or so Ken Erickson and I have spent countless hours on the phone discussing a variety of traditional patterns and their unique qualities. I think it's probably fair to say that of all the makers I have had the pleasure of a personal relationship with, Ken knows my likes and dislikes better than just about anyone.

In getting prepared for his inaugural Blade Show, Ken has been putting in the hours building knives and dealing with the growing excitement and anticipation.

To my good fortune (and a modicum of happy frustration) Ken has been teasing me with the fact that he has built two knives with me in mind. He'd neither share information about the pattern or any other aspect of the knives but for telling me the number of blades they had.

Today, in a moment of rare weakness for Ken, (who is pretty darn good at keeping a secret when he wants to), he gave me the opportunity of knowing (and seeing via images) one of the patterns he had built with me in mind.

I won't physically be able to see the knife or take possession until the Blade Show and since many folks from the forum won't have the opportunity to attend, I asked if I could have his permission to display it here. Ken (after some arm twisting) relented and gave his assent. Those of you attending the show will see it there.

So...first a few details:

Pattern: "Eureka Jack" (Double-End, Single Spring, "Bull-Head" style with catch bit)
Frame: Integral
Length: 3 5/8" closed
Weight: 2 1/8 ounces
Scales: Stag
Steel: D2 @ 60 Rc

Per Levine's Guide this bull-head style "Eureka" is a derivative of the cattle pattern (and as Ken well knows, both the classic cattle pattern and the Eureka are two of my absolute favorites). This is a rare pattern which I've never personally seen in either the production or custom realms but there is an excellent illustration of a "Hammer Brand" (New York Knife Co.) version in LGIV.

To say that Ken has created something which is absolutely to my taste is to understate the matter.
I couldn't have been more surprised or giddy with anticipation.

I'll let the images do the rest of the talking. As always, your comments are welcome and appreciated.

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What a rare beauty! Elliott, you are indeed a blessed man to have such friends.
 
A Sincere Thank you to Elliott and Ken Erickson for sharing images of this truly charming knife.

Mike H.
 
:thumbup:That knife is stellar! I do not own any Erickson knives at this point, but I hope that will change this year at BLADE(my first time). I have always found Ken's work to be stunning, and his style suits my tastes like no other. I emailed him a month or so ago to say hello, and to inquire about my chances of procuring one of his knives at BLADE. This is when I learned that it was going to be his first BLADE show as well. He sent me a friendly response right away, and seems like a very nice guy(which goes without saying :D) I wish him luck at the show, and I look forward to meeting him. -and I REALLY hope I can get my hands on one of his knives.-5AA is going to be my first stop.
 
I like everything i see about that pattern and the particular knife.Wow!
 
Looks like the perfect knife, just the kind that leave me speechless with that odd looking face telling how impressed yet jealous I am.

Mike
 
Elliott, that is incredible!

You're going to go nuts waiting until Blade for that one. ;)
 
Thanks, guys. :cool:

A little anecdote to go with the story...the stag that Ken used on the knife was from a set that he had put aside for me with the intention of using it on a knife we would do down the road. (I had selected that set from some images based upon it having certain characteristics.)

A month or so back, Ken wrote me and asked my permission (as if he needed it) to use the set on some heretofore undisclosed knife pattern he thought it might work well with.

Well, the rest is history (as they say). :thumbup:
 
Just awesome my brother. You have hooked me big time on the Eureka Patterns. I really like the single spring double end aspect of this and know first hand how well Ken builds this style with stop bits.

Please wear a helmet at blade. I do not want to hurt ya when I bop you over the head to take this one from ya. :D. (That goes for you too Mike), since I am not too sure I can live with myself if I hurt either one of you. :p :p
 
Wow Elliott you certainly are a lucky guy to have Ken as such a good friend. I'd say that this is "The Perfect Pocket Knife" for many reasons, but the sunk joints definitely elevate it to "Perfect". Thanks to you & ken for showing it here as i am one of the many who would love to attend Blade but won't be able to.
roland
 
Elliott,

I am glad you like the pattern and this knife in particular! This would also be a good time to thank both Mike Robuck and Charlie for their input as too what pattern to build. Charlie with his scans of incredible knives, overall knowledge, and Mikes insight into both My style and Elliott's likes.
 
Ken, I kept telling you Elliott REALLY wanted a custom can opener, but you wouldn't listen! It was a lot of fun to see the WIP pictures of this one. Wish I could have seen Elliott's face when he saw the pictures.

(Gus you better wear a hard hat to Blade so you don't get conked in the head by the crew.)
 
ken erickson said:
Elliott,

I am glad you like the pattern and this knife in particular! This would also be a good time to thank both Mike Robuck and Charlie for their input as too what pattern to build. Charlie with his scans of incredible knives, overall knowledge, and Mikes insight into both My style and Elliott's likes.
Click to expand...

Well, two finer forum friends could scarcely be found!!! (I guess I'll owe them both a beverage or two!)

Seriously, though, my thanks to them both for their friendship and their astute instincts regarding the knives we all have come to love above others! :cool::thumbup:
 
Peruna1998 said:
That is one sweet looking knife. Out of curiosity, what makes it a "bullhead"?
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Wayne, a "Bull-Head" is defined (per Levine's Guide) as an equal-end, double end knife based upon the "cattle pattern". (Whereas a "moose" is based upon the premium stockman frame.)

Within the "bull-head" family (so to speak) there are some other derivatives (balloons, surveyors, jumbo sleeveboards etc.) of which the double-end "Eureka" is one. I can't recommend Levine's Guide (4th edition) too highly for those wishing to see both some great illustrations of a variety of patterns but also historical information about the patterns themselves.
 
rprocter said:
Wow Elliott you certainly are a lucky guy to have Ken as such a good friend. I'd say that this is "The Perfect Pocket Knife" for many reasons, but the sunk joints definitely elevate it to "Perfect". Thanks to you & ken for showing it here as i am one of the many who would love to attend Blade but won't be able to.
roland
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Roland, thanks, that's exactly what I think! This must be it - "The Perfect Pocket Knife". How I wish I could go to BLADE...
 
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