Jay Fisher? Anyone heard of him? Never see him mentioned? Banned?

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I handled a few of his knives at a show a while back. Of the three I handled, my hand fit one pretty well, and it was oddly comfortable, however I hate combo edges. GL Drew (one of our own) had his table up at the same show and almost everything on his table melts into basically any hand like butter. Top notch guy too.
 
Hello, all!
Wow, from the email I'm getting, I just had to look.
I'm Jay Fisher, the guy you've titled this thread about.
Unfortunately, I don't often get the chance to post, and I'm sure that there are many questions about my knives. I don't make the typical knife, and that has, thankfully, allowed me to make knives designed by and for some of the top military and counterterrorism units in the world as well as chefs, restaurants, working, hunting, and collectors knives. There's even one in a museum, the largest weapons museum in the world, and I'm very proud and humbled by that. It is because of them that I've worked hard and fed my family as a full time professional knifemaker for nearly four decades. I'm honored that I still have the ability to answer the needs of my clients, and doubly honored to be passing on this tradecraft to my sons and grandsons!
I realize that many of you don't have time to peruse or read my site, as nearly all of your questions are answered there.
I don't want to start or encourage arguments, or insults, and I believe that this is not the direction this old and established forum wants to encourage. I've been a member for many years, and you can see in the archives plenty of my work and commentary. I haven't posted in a good while because I'm a very busy guy. Because the direction of this posting seems somewhat confrontational, I'll be happy to answer any serious questions. If it turns into a flaming sore, then I'll politely leave, and I hope you understand that information, education, and positive direction is why I believe in my tradecraft and my place in it.
More postings coming!

I
 
Hello, all!
Wow, from the email I'm getting, I just had to look.
I'm Jay Fisher, the guy you've titled this thread about.
Unfortunately, I don't often get the chance to post, and I'm sure that there are many questions about my knives. I don't make the typical knife, and that has, thankfully, allowed me to make knives designed by and for some of the top military and counterterrorism units in the world as well as chefs, restaurants, working, hunting, and collectors knives. There's even one in a museum, the largest weapons museum in the world, and I'm very proud and humbled by that. It is because of them that I've worked hard and fed my family as a full time professional knifemaker for nearly four decades. I'm honored that I still have the ability to answer the needs of my clients, and doubly honored to be passing on this tradecraft to my sons and grandsons!
I realize that many of you don't have time to peruse or read my site, as nearly all of your questions are answered there.
I don't want to start or encourage arguments, or insults, and I believe that this is not the direction this old and established forum wants to encourage. I've been a member for many years, and you can see in the archives plenty of my work and commentary. I haven't posted in a good while because I'm a very busy guy. Because the direction of this posting seems somewhat confrontational, I'll be happy to answer any serious questions. If it turns into a flaming sore, then I'll politely leave, and I hope you understand that information, education, and positive direction is why I believe in my tradecraft and my place in it.
More postings coming!

I'll try to answer your individual questions and curiosities.
Thanks!
 
JayFisher said:
Because the direction of this posting seems somewhat confrontational, I'll be happy to answer any serious questions.
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If you make your customers happy with good service and product that's all that matters. Most of us here realize design is preferential.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the overall market you're going for and what you want your blades to do. Are there any plans to expand to different styles you haven't tried yet?
 
This whole thread screams bad form to me considering the maker who is the topic has done nothing but successfully establish his own style throughout the years. Can anyone else in this thread claim the level of success Mr. Fisher has reached? Keep it respectful and civil.
 
Hale Storm said:
Was just curious if there is a reason I don't see much on Jay Fisher. Not a fan or a hater, just curious. He looks to do some beautiful work. Very expensive investment style.

Is he on the, "we don't talk about list" because of a past indiscretion?
Wow! There was the time I set my grandad's outhouse on fire, but no, not that I'm aware of!

No one cares?
Well, I'd like to think that many care, and the 3million hits a month and tens of thousands of new visitors every month to my website makes me think otherwise.

Over priced?
Can be for some, I know this. I simply could not justify making a cheap knife with all I've got into the trade and the clients I have tell me they are happy with the prices. I'll go into this more in my upcoming book, and explain why and how best prices are set and maintained by individual makers. It truly is the market that determines this, and I owe it to my family to work for as much money as they deserve! We all do.

Over rated?
Gosh, never!

Too high end and expensive to warrant much discussion?
Everybody has their own market and direction. My first knife sold for $30.00 in 1979, so I've worked through the whole process. This is why it's important to me as I get older to train new blood; I don't want them to have to make the same mistakes and spill the same blood as I had to in the trade.

Doesn't appeal to the masses of production, mid tech, and high end knife knuts here?
Definitely does not appeal to masses. That was never my direction, and I'm okay with that.

Again, just curious.
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Thanks Ronnie.
 
marcinek said:
I suppose if you make "investment style" knives that nobody cars or talks about, then they aren't particularly good investments. Just happened to be discussing that yesterday.

Anyway, is he a member?
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Hmm. My clients say otherwise. I'm about 5 years in backorders and knives that have been sold on the secondary markets are fetching more than I was paid for them, sometimes doubling in several years.
 
Grease said:
From what I've seen, his artistic stuff is amazing and probably worth the price. The problem is, any of his stuff you'd consider using is way over priced, and so a forum of knife users probably doesn't care much about him.
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I make plenty of working knives, even if you might think them too expensive. Just because there are expensive cars, don't think others don't drive them. I believe it's my duty to make the very best possible for each client, and some of these men, women, and organizations have intense requirements.
 
Sam Cade said:
Probably.

Liberace would have no doubt dug his work. :D

185683_758e4c0f0655138c5dc0f7837596f787.jpg



Seriously though, I think a lot of his knives are just plain cornball from a design standpoint, even if they aren't dressed up like a drag queen.

To wit:
FORaijinCarbonFiber23.jpg


"Raijin" Tactical Combat, CSAR, Survival Knife
http://www.jayfisher.com/Raijin_Carbon_Fiber.htm
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Okay Sam; I'll try not to be insulted, and I'll invite you by my shop any day. The Raijin went to one of the very top counterterrorism teams in the world. This is a great honor for me and they love all the stuff! In fact, they insist on it on every knife I've made for them, and I've made dozens. This is one of the most comprehensive kits available; I hope you can see that. All stainless steel, multiple lights, all essentials to critical operations.
Funny thing; I once asked them why two lamps and they told me "Two lights are one light, and one light is no light."
I"m honored to make and offer these to the public as well, periodically.
 
Even though they are not my taste, the few I have seen in person have beautiful grinds and fit and finish. I just have huge bear hands and it is hard to find a grip that is comfortable with such contoured scales. I am sure you couldn't be happier making a living doing something you love though.

JayFisher said:
I make plenty of working knives, even if you might think them too expensive. Just because there are expensive cars, don't think others don't drive them. I believe it's my duty to make the very best possible for each client, and some of these men, women, and organizations have intense requirements.
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The odd part is someone purchased his $4K knife. But if you watch his video at the top of the above link he does more than make a $4K QVC special.
 
J85909266 said:
4K+ for that? Yeah, that's why nobody talks about him.
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I hope I answered that. I'm not interested in talk, by the way; I'm a knifemaker, and this is my profession.
I do realize that my prices may be out of reach of many, but this is an intense amount of work.
 
snooka said:
Strange designs, more on the "fantasy side" IMO...

r8e4pc.jpg
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Wow. That's a lot of different steel shape! I'm proud to make many, many different kinds of designs, that's why I have over 400 on my site. New ones are coming up all the time.
Fantasy is an interesting word, but collectors knives are not all you see in this photo. In fact, I count 17 tactical combat models (several of them gone to USAF Pararescue PJs, half a dozen working knives and a few chef's knives. The big hop knife on the bottom went to a top restaurant chef in NYC. He loved it so much that I'm making another for him right now. The Bulldog with the finger ring went to a Marine, and the khukri went to a guy in an Artillery Unit that served in Afghanistan (he's got two in this photo and he carried them there). All of these can be seen in finished detail on my website.
 
JayFisher said:
The Raijin went to one of the very top counterterrorism teams in the world.
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That is all well and good and I know that knifemakers love to bask in the glow of military sales (even though military folks are just as knife ignorant as most folks) to better appeal to the Mittys among us but that still doesn't change my opinion (and the opinion of others) that that is a plum goofy knife.

Now look, you obviously have a good thing going building and selling fetish-worship, Objet d'art knives but as tools many of your knives are questionable at best and are way out there in Gil Hibben fantasy-land.

TitanCrazyLaceAgate1.jpg



...Now this isn't a bad looking knife

FOLastChanceBlackJade1.jpg


...but many of your knives are rough around the plunge end of the secondary bevel.

Same here:
FOAlegreELHondurasRosewoodBurl1.jpg
 
I will say as a maker that I would welcome the opportunity to study under Mr. Fisher any time he would have me! Regardless if he doesn't make the same types of knives I make, there is so much to learn about fit and finish and design and knife business in general. Guys, you don't make $4,000 on a knife by conning your customer! A scale fit against a bolster takes skill regardless of what the scales are made from. Grinding is grinding, no matter the blade type.

I busted my butt for a recent customer. You know what, it was only a $100 knife, but I can't imagine the effort it takes to maintain a customer base that expects these levels of quality. I've always liked his knives from a respect for a superior artisan point of view. Not my style usually, but a rock musician can appreciate the musicality of country music too.
 
For some reason, it wouldn't take this as a "quick reply," kept getting booted

Okay, for those of you reading this, It's okay to stop talking about me in third person, as if I'm not here. I'll grant you the same respect, if that's okay.

Hale Storm said:
His kydex isdefinitely interesting but there is a reason no one excpet him puts an aluminum frame in between two pieces of kydex for a sheath.
AHA! I am sooo glad you mentioned this! Now we're talking knife building. I can't speak for others making sheaths, but I will absolutely put my knives in the best possible sheaths I can make. Early on, when doing work with Pararescue, they begged me to come up with a sheath so durable that if they had a serious tumble, it would not flex. Then, they went a step further and asked if I could make it absolutely locking. The aluminum is 5052 high strength aluminum alloy, and it is protected from the blade by a layer of thermoset plastic on the inside. The sheath locking components are all stainless steel, mainly 304, 316, and 302 (spring). All waterproof. These sheaths are so strong you can hang from them. Maybe not needed for weekend or occasional use, but truly reliable and tough. I've never had one fail, not even returned for an adjustment and I've made them since the early 1990s!

And I never understood the "survival" style sheaths with the attachments the way he adds them. They look very fragile for harsh survival environments. First good tumble in rough terrain and it seems they would be trashed with the small hardware holding them on the sheath.
I'm going to be clear on this. This is the sturdiest sheath you will find in the world today. The "attachments" are stainless steel Chicago screws with high strength die formed 5052 alloy belt loops (footman's loops). The HULA I'm proud to say is all hand-welded and machined 304 stainless steel with high strength aluminum alloy holders. This is incredibly strong; perhaps the photo does not demonstrate this. Some of the items, like the LIMA are in polyethylene for a bit of flex and movement on purpose, but the 2" wide poly will support several tons. And the mount is 1/8" 304 stainless steel bar, so it's plenty strong. These accessories I build to last as long as the sheath and knife. And I have had the help of the design input of a great guy, a US Navy Seabee in the belt loop extender. Funny thing, the first one he brought to me as his own necessity made of duct tape and mil web...

My .02. What do I know.
Hopefully, I've answered your questions.

I'm enjoying the comments. Keep 'em coming.
That the comments are somewhat negative suggests you intend to thrash me severely! Just kidding...

By the way, for $4,000.00, there's a ton of members who could outfit a survival rig that would get you through anything and have plenty of cash left over. I knew his knives a little but not that kits stuff. That plastic container looks like the one I keep my DL and fishing license in when I'm on the coast fishing. Paid about $4.00 for it. Cheap plastic but it works.
The plastic is that very container, and all it is for is to have a place for the guy to keep the small pieces from scattering around in his E and E kit, but I've had guys thank me for the consideration of a container that they can keep their stuff in and clean!

He's been around a while. Must be doing something right for a market somewhere. I guess the fantasy knife market has rich clients like everything else.
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I have been around a while, and I hope that what you see merits some consideration, even if it is not in the economy range of most clients.
 
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