Considering Jay Fisher Knife

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JTR357

JTR357

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Just wondering if anyone has purchased a knife from Jay Fisher.I've been browsing his website & have been considering buying a custom fixed blade from him.I don't want to wait 3-4 months for it though.If you did buy from him..was it a good experience?Also,if you have any other knife makers links,that are as good or better than Mr. Fisher...I'm all ears.
Any feedback is appreciated
 
That depends on the type of knife you're looking for, whether it is primarily for collecting or using, if it is for using then the type of cutting you will be doing and how much abuse it will be subjected to, if for collecting than how important is it that it appreciates in value, and so many other factors....
 
I like Jay, he is an honest man and will gladly talk to you at length about what works for YOU. He is VERY versatile and is one of the few makers who specialize in stone handles, too.

His work ranges from collectible quality to hard use knives. Your call. I suggest you call him.

The experience of purchasing a 'custom' knife begins with the relationship of the maker and you. There are TONS of other makers whose work I can recommend highly, but I think you deserve to explore your first interest more fully.

Thanks for asking.

Coop
 
I've communicated with Jay several times, and he's always been straight forward with me and generous with his time, answering emails quickly and succinctly.

I'm working on getting a knife from Jay somewhere in the future, as he is one of my most favorite stock removal blade artists.
 
JTR357 said:
I don't want to wait 3-4 months for it though.
Click to expand...

Jay always has an impressive backorder. It can take a lot longer than a few months, especially if you want something large or elaborate.

You can always buy used, but that'll cost more.
 
I have a knife on order with Jay right now. I ordered it about 9 months ago, and at the time I ordered it, Jay quoted 12-14 months. I think you are a bit optimistic with 3-4 months.

I spoke on the phone and emailed back and forth with Jay several times before my order. Jay was always helpful and helped me make an informed choice. I am getting a green gemstone handle. Should be interesting.
 
Thanks for the tips guys.I think I'm gonna shop around some more.
 
I purchased a knife from Jay and also worked with him on a second knife. I have nothing but the highest regard for him personally and his work. He is honorable as an individual/businessman and a great artist and knife maker.

Matt from VA
 
Well here is the perfect chance to tell what I just found out: I snail mailed elaborate plans for a knife to Jay four days before Christmas . I just got the email that says he couldn't have me wait two years and he feels he has overbooked for the year. So for all intents and purposes it looks like no Jay Fisher knife for me. Maybe never??? I have been looking at his site since Fall of 2005. It just never came together when I could do the deposit..low as it is. Now I have a flood of dissapointment welling up. Kind of makes this thread a little pointless after all, maybe its ironic timing too. ------Joe
 
I'd be happy to own one of his own designs.

I've gotten knives made to my design, but have purposely used makers who are newer and, ahem, less expensive. This because I don't trust what I've designed on paper as being 'just right'.

Jay is definitely in the upper echelon of stock removal makers, and really, waiting two years would probably be worth it.
 
Sookie, I agree, two years would be okay, though i thought he could squeeze it in cause the blade is already made (i.e. ground ,Heat treated and blued). I would wait just so at some point in my life I had a knife ground and heat treated the way he does it. I have about eight designs off his patterns page that I am very enthusaitic about. I can never get the knives for sale page before someone else cobbs the knife..and some of them are not to my taste. I only hope if he figures out what I need to do, that he lets me know. So I can get a knife made by him.:thumbup: ---Joe
 
I'm not sure I understand. Joe, you said he already ground, heat treated and blued your blade and now he won't finish the project? Is that correct?
 
No, he has a handful of blades that are ground and heat treated and some are not spoken for as far as a customer behind them. He suggests you can talk it over with him to fit the knife to your style, fit your hand and your budget. So I called him and asked if the Markarian hidden tang was spoken for and he said no so I got right off the phone and worked up some ideas to talk over with him to make it into my dream knife. I drew them and snail mailed it 'cause a picture is worth a thousand words so they say. I have been of the mind that Jay's knives are made to cut and are very functional. I have a brand of knife I like alot , but they are made to be tough and do not cut very well.( no these knives are not the ones made in Ohio or Michigan). I thought Jay's knife would be like a super improved version of thier brand. Now I guess I won't be able to find out for myself. I told Jay he was lucky cause he could have any Jay Fisher knife he wanted. I would be lucky if my skills in knifemaking were alot more improved. I got into knifemaking 'cause I wanted to have alot of knives and thought I could just make them for myself instead of buying them and add custom features I wanted, but its not that easy to make knives as I had hoped and I noticed my learning curve got too steep for me to register any more improvement. I know of guys that made knives for forty years and never did make one much better then in thier first year. they just stopped improving and settled for less from themselves. I don't want to be one of them!!!!:eek:-----Joe
 
I understand your disappointment.

The earmark of a successful maker is one who responds to communication, and has such demand for his knives to be backordered--sometimes for years.

Sounds like Jay Fisher fits into this category. I'd get in the queue, and look into other knives in the meantime. When your 'number' comes up you will be happy you did.

Coop
 
Good thinking Sharp By Coop. How should I proceed? I think he meant he took too much work on this year to accept this request from me. Like it says on his site "you don't want to piss off the guy who makes edged weapons for a living" LOL :D . Sharp By Coop, in the meantime who do you know that likes making skeleton knives and integrals? I would be so stoked to get in the queue! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: -----Joe
 
Hi, fellow forumites! Jay got my money order today and I got into the Queue. Thanks everyone who wrote in this thread. Looks like my lead time will be 30 months. Thanks Coop, for your input and encouragement. I am asking Jay to build me a Kight. Hope we can keep talking about his knives and their performance. I am eager to have an example of his grinding and heat treating skills, but I know there's going to be alot more to appriciate when one is actually in my hand. I feel something like what a guy did in the old west who got a commision accepted by Micheal Price. The top drawer maker of his time was going to build a knife for him! I am hoping I can go pick it up in person.----JOE
 
To anyone wondering whether it's "worth it" to wait for a knife by Jay ...

Yes. Yes, it is.

Even if the wait is over a year (and it is!), the wait WILL be worth it. :D

His knives are that good.
 
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