Clarau - by Jay Fisher

JayFisher · Jul 17, 2008

Here's a new small gemstone handled knife: "Clarau"

Size: Knife: Length overall: 7.5" (19.0 cm), Blade Length: 3.75" (9.5 cm), Thickness: .160" (4.1 mm)

Weight: Knife: 3.5 oz. Sheath: 3.5 oz.

Blade:O-1 High Carbon Tungsten-Vanadium Alloy Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, hollow ground, mirror finished, hot blued

Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Mirror Finished, Hand-Engraved

Handle: Lapis Lazulii Gemstone (Peru)

Sheath: Lizard Skin inlaid in hand-carved Leather

Clarau is a stunning small knife, adorned in rich deep blue that only Lapis Lazulii can bring. This is Peruvian Lapis, from some old stock I had set back for just such a project. This is the real stuff, not some dyed or stabilized plastic, and you can see seams, inclusions of pyrite, and just a tiny bit of calcite in the matrix. Lapis is not a mineral, it's actually a rock, made up of different minerals, and is absolutely prized for its magnificent color, used for over 6000 years as a gemstone.

See more pictures, get much more information on this handmade gemstone handled knife on a special page on my site here.

Thanks!
Jay

JTR357 · Jul 17, 2008

I don't know how you do it,but it seems every knife you make looks better than the last.

Love that filework:thumbup: and those handles....splendid:thumbup::thumbup:

mdoyle · Jul 17, 2008

If I ever have to grow up, I want to be Jay Fisher!

Matt Doyle

Burton Harruff · Jul 17, 2008

Damn! Nice, love those scales.

JayFisher · Jul 19, 2008

Thanks for all the kind words, guys.

Real lapis is amazing stuff. The intensity of the blue is more than the photo can capture, and it is different in every light. Though there is a lot of manmade, dyed, and fake lapis out there, I'll only use the real stuff, and never dyed. Watch out for words like "stabilized," "Swiss Lapis," "constructed," and "synthetic."

I think that because there are so many attempts to imitate lapis, this is a testament to the actual rock's value. Of course, imitations are of lower value.

JTR357 · Jul 19, 2008

Hi Jay,I noticed you've been using O1 with your past few knives,as opposed to 440C you were using before.Is O1 easier to work with?

Thanks,

JayFisher · Jul 19, 2008

JTR357 said:
Hi Jay,I noticed you've been using O1 with your past few knives,as opposed to 440C you were using before.Is O1 easier to work with?

Thanks,

Hi, JTR. Thanks for asking.

I typically make knives in batches, small groups of 8-10. In crazy times, I've done batches of over 25 at at time! Anyway, this last group was a group of O-1 blades. It's easier to heat treat and blue these together, as the tool and solution set ups take some effort.

I'm still doing plenty of 440C, ATS-34, D2, as well as some CPM154CM, some CPMS30V and CPMS60V... all in upcoming knives.

Thanks,
Jay

JTR357 · Jul 19, 2008

Hi Jay,Thanks for the speedy answer:thumbup:...was just curious.I been following your work for quite some time(about a year

)

You're an artist among knifemakers:thumbup:

JayFisher · Jul 19, 2008

JTR357 said:
Hi Jay,Thanks for the speedy answer:thumbup:...was just curious.I been following your work for quite some time(about a year)

You're an artist among knifemakers:thumbup:

Hi, JTR. Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate your interest; keep watching my site, I have new stuff coming up all the time.

I could not do what I do without my clients, their input, and patronage. So when you look at my work, please think of them too!

Thanks,
Jay

Bigfattyt · Jul 19, 2008

Another great one, much too pretty for me. Even your "user" or "combat" class knives to me seem like art class knives for the fit and finsh. If I had you make me one, I would have to have you give it a few good scratches so I would not be afraid to use it.

Also, I have to tell you, your archive of comments, questions, and sketches from "customers" (ie less than intelligent specimens) that you have up to read on your site are some of the funniest I have ever read. Always good for a chuckle. In fact, I was almost tempted to send in a drawing by a 3 year old of a sword for a price quote, after reading some of those you have posted.
Keep up the good work, and the "comic relief" part of your site too!

JayFisher · Jul 20, 2008

Hey Big. Thanks for the comments.
That whole "knife is too pretty" thing is something most makers hear after a while. I gave it a special section on my "FAQ" page at this bookmark. Take a look; I'm sure you'll get a laugh.

Many of the knives I make are kept for investment and collection purposes, that's true. I'm grateful that nearly all of my knives continue to appreciate in value year after year. But I'm also grateful to have the input of the military, professionals, and serious knife users that take these knives to the field (often in combat) and use them. They can recount every scratch, nick, or ding in the blade, and when and where they were when it happened.

I look in the mirror and see the same wear and tear and it's not so handsome, but the knives will outlast me!