Origin of "Eureka" Jack

Andi - In the older catalogs, crocus polish means an iron oxide mirror polish. It was often the standard to have the mark side of the main blade crocus polished and all other blade surfaces glaze polished (a coarser grit, essentially what we call satin finish today).
Here are a few more examples, these are NYKC knives from the 1902 George Worthington catalog:




 
Many thanks to Codger for providing the link to Levine. his assertion that knife names weere never set in stone and handed down is worth remembering. The quote he uses about the name 'Eureka' being easier than the clumsy "Swell Centre Serpentine Balloon" (sounds like a Zeppelin with severe flatulence...:D:eek:) may in itself be the explanation! As others have noted, 'names' for knives seem to have been a post world War One feature for the main. Catalogues seem to use pattern numbers almost exclusively prior to this, and it may have been collectors or ad-men giving out homely names for various patterns.

Whatever its origins, I'm thankful that GEC was able to offer us an accessible production version of this seemingly rare or 'lost' pattern (customs excepted) the Eureka. I have two Tidioutes, Green Bone and Ivory Bone and find them not only excellent in the hand but hauntingly beautiful and unusual knives. I would hate to lose them and can't see myself selling them either. I also hope that the Forum Knife 14 that is in the pipeline will be a single-blade version of the Eureka (what GEC will be releasing shortly as the Talon)

Many thanks too to lambertiana for sharing those really absorbing pictures from catalogues, these are invaluable knife documents. I wanted to ask what was meant by 'flat stag'?:confused: Does this suggest thinly cut stag and not the bloated stuff you can find on more recentknives? I particularly liked pattern No. 2780 version of the Eureka theme: superb longpull that is seemingly run into the swedge, Rat-Tail bolster on the Hammer brand. The shield looks like the type used on GEC's SFO Galvanic I believe. Mention too to knives No.s 265 what a Sheepfoot and the dramatic Clip on 210, like a meat carver!:thumbup:

Regards, Will
 
Oh, to have been a knife knut in 1902! Some beautiful knives there for sure. Still patiently awaiting the release of a GEC large coke bottle with an UN-X-LD stamped rear bolster.

The Eureka is indeed a very attractive and special pattern. I applaud the new releases of this pattern in all its variations.
 
Really liking these old catalog pictures - thanks lambertiana. Would love to pay $8 for a dozen of No 2780 :)
 
Flat stag must mean bone that is flat to go with the flat bolsters. In those old catalogs, stag usually means jigged bone, and genuine stag usually means the real antler material.

Of all those Eurekas in the catalog pictures, I like 2780 the best, too. At $8/dozen wholesale, hardware stores would have probably sold them for around $1.25-1.50 retail. This would be pretty close to a day's wages for a typical blue collar worker at the time.
 
Thanks for the explanation on the flat stag.

What is an average skilled worker's daily wage in the US today would you think? I'm not surprised that particular pattern was quite dear as it's highly finished, Another observation...one of the knives in the catalogue sports a gouge, not a spike or punch. What would a gouge be used for, in carpentry??

Regards, Will
 
Around here in California's San Joaquin Valley, I think skilled labor runs $15-20/hour. At $15/hour, an eight hour day would be $120, not including benefits (which the average worker a hundred years ago never dreamed of).

That gouge would work fine as a leather punch - think harness jack. I bet it would also be handy for some carpentry applications.
 
Has anyone ever seen a factory Eureka jack that didn't have a spear main? Maybe my regrind is the only one in existence! o_O ;)

jJyzDcR.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top