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

[JayFisher]

If you can make can make a living selling that knife for $4,000; my hat's off to ya.

Than being said, I would never spend 4k on that knife.

Hey, thanks, man!
That's okay, you don't have to spend at all. I don't want to make a knife for every man, just the client who buys it!

 

[JayFisher]

Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance.
--Paley,Einstein, Spencer, others

Do you really think he has time for our 250$ knives on bladeforums?
Perhaps you should all read a little... you know.

But instead, hate will suffice, eh?

I took the time, but thanks.
I used to post regularly on the forums, but it took up lots of time. That was time away from clients and family.
I hope that hate isn't the best description, and information access is.

 

[JayFisher]

Your knifes are a tad odd-looking, Mr. Fisher. Welcome to BladeForums! :thumbup:

"Odd" would be a frame of reference, so I'll take it that you think MY knives are not of the typical version.
For the other Mr. Fisher, "There can be only ONE!" --just kidding.

 

[JayFisher]

I think he caters to a different market.. I have watched a video of his operation and they are a talented group. He has been providing for his family for years doing it. Just a different market that's all. I wish I could have a little bit of his skill and general knowledge of custom knife making. I bet if you asked him to make a hard use knife of your design and had the dough to pay for it you would probably be happy.

Mark, my sincere thanks; you have a special invitation by my place anytime. We do stay pretty busy...
I do make custom designs; that's a great point. Exactly half of my knives are custom; I try for a 1:1 ratio of custom knives and creative works. This keeps my own creativity fresh and allows knives available to the public, and my clients appreciate this.

 

[JayFisher]

I'd love to one one or two, but it's out of my league...

My work is not for everybody; that's not a bad thing.

 

[gooeytek]

Knife designs are polarizing, especially when you factor in the price. That said, Mr. Fisher's knife designs might not be everyones's EDC ideal, but on his website there is also a wealth of information on different types of steel, and the significance that a proprietary hardening process makes. I highly recommend reading through it.

 

[JayFisher]

Some of those handles don't allow for much flexibility. If your hand isn't the right size it could feel off very easily. That double.....gaurdchoil thing on the bottom left just confuses me.
That would be the Ladron, I think, on the website. The forefinger cut is what may be unusual. It allows for a pretty big hand, and the addition of a mid-bolster.
I want to like some of the more practical ones, but yeah they're damn expensive.
Okay, I think I've covered the price thing enough; I'll let it go now.

That's probably up to my preferences though. That 4k knife would look better without the ring, extend the handle, remove the serrations, and remove that oversized jimp hump.scr
I'll forgive the copyright infringement, but just so you know, it's a shaky area... kidding.
Okay, you've almost exactly created my "Taranis" pattern; showing your certainly scrutinizing.
The neat thing about knives are the people who I make them for. Everyone different, everyone a different taste; and that's okay.

(quick and dirty edit)

Edit: Your reply to Sam tells me your knives have a different purpose than what I'm used to. I like that you're taking your time to talk to us. Keep it up. :thumbup:

I will if I can a bit tonight; but server is shaky and troublesome... electronics: can't live without 'em, can't short 'em out...

 

[JayFisher]

If you read the ad-copy for the "Raijin" Tactical Combat, CSAR, Survival Knife X-treame! it is intended to be held icepick. That makes it substantially sillier I think.

I hope you understand that the reverse grip, detailed on my website, is a major player in the tactical field. Lots of guys are using this, it's worn on the non-lead side and frequently crossdrawn. On the lead side (all my sheaths are reversible) it can be effective in defensive reverse grip to an enemy to the back and side.
I won't tell the CT team that owns this that you said "silly."

 

[JayFisher]

What?! With that angled handle how is reverse grip supposed to be comfy or useful? Wouldn't the blade sit cockeyed for every stab?

extend the handle and give me a little straight bit to do that, angle the end so I can choke down for chopping.

One of the things I learned in martial arts is that the square fisted position is impossible with a straight knife grip. I write about this on the website. The gun grip knife is then used to angle the blade at an aggressive posture. Kind of hard to explain, but if you handle it for a while, it becomes second nature.
Chopping? Most tactical (combat) knives are not used this way, but believe me when I say if you need to chop, the Raijin has enough mass to do so... no problem.
Again, not all designs are for all people. Trying to pick apart a knife for individual features creates a whole new knife, and this is critical to the evolution of design.
I'll offer more about that in my book, as well.

 

[JayFisher]

I'd buy a microtech jagdkommando before I ever considered one of those knives.

Great! Microtech is depending on good sales, and they deserve to have your business if you agree!

 

[JayFisher]

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.

Okay man, I'm going to have to ask. I haven't been to a show since I quit the Guild in '05 because I had too many backorders. So that dates your evaluation; that was nine years ago!
About other makers; bravo; real knifemakers are hardworking, and a determined lot. Any one of them deserves to sell any knife they've put their heart into.

 

[NCCNC]

They were your knives, being sold second hand. Not you physically being there. Read my second post in the thread for the other part of my thoughts. Thanks.

 

[n7titan]

Chopping? Most tactical (combat) knives are not used this way, but believe me when I say if you need to chop, the Raijin has enough mass to do so... no problem.
Again, not all designs are for all people. Trying to pick apart a knife for individual features creates a whole new knife, and this is critical to the evolution of design.
I'll offer more about that in my book, as well.

Yeah what I was describing was a more woodsy knife than tactical. Once your design intent was stated my comment was null.
And yes it does, great point. Sometimes features don't work well with each other.

 

[salmonkiller]

Amazing craftsmanship and uniqueness is what my eyes and mind tell me after browsing through some of Mr.
Fishers work!Very nice work and some amazing pieces.

 

[JayFisher]

If you make your customers happy with good service and product that's all that matters. Most of us here realize design is preferential.
That is exactly IT! I do my very best to make the very best knife possible for each client. I'm determined for it to be the best knife experience they have, every time. I'll keep trying my very best until they put me to sleep!
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?

Thanks for asking. I'm committed to my military and CT clients; I have some new designs coming up for a Special Tactics Squadron based on some new input. We regularly make knives donated to soldiers who excel in combat and rescue situations in Pararescue, and the PJs have expanded into the STS groups who are highly specialized. In the last two years, we were interviewed by 5 reality show production companies and are working toward an educational ideal, rather than silly script. I'd like to bring more respect to our tradcraft in a professional sense, as it's become critical to people who need true custom knives. I've got some really exciting creative works coming, and some are large. Materials abound; I'd like to use them all, and exhibit their unique and dynamic character. Most of all, I'm proud of our new and upcoming makers in the family; they have great gifts to express and are already developing their own clients, in their own style, in their own generations.
For styles? With over 400 patterns on the site, I think I'll try for 500 by the end of the year... kidding. I'm looking to my clients; they are who I make for. They honor me with their patronage, they suggest and influence new works, styles and materials, and they are who pay my bills and support my family.

 

[JayFisher]

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.

Thank you, kind sir. You honor me with your comment. I won't say it's been easy; there were some tough years for knifemakers, and big changes in how I operated my business. I'd like to think I paid my dues, and am still proud that the old and early works I made are still out there, still cherished by their owners.

 

[JayFisher]

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.

Thanks for your kind words.
About the hands; I have a simple hand-sizing method on my site that clients can use to get the knife fitted to their own hand. It works well. There is no copyright protection on the idea; a good maker can use this method or a variation of it to fit nearly any knife to any hand.
Thanks for recognizing my happiness at my profession. I do love it. Even when it aches, or when I get burned, or cut. God has blessed me with that interest and I'm grateful.

 

[marcinek]

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.

Point taken. No doubt critique of any makers who have achieved a certain level of success should be considered bad form, except when done by equally successful makers.

 

[Sam Cade]

I hope you understand that the reverse grip, detailed on my website, is a major player in the tactical field.

Ok, that is pretty funny. A major player in the tactical field?

I won't tell the CT team that owns this that you said "silly."

I'd like to tell them myself.

Since, unlike most folks, I've actually been stabbed in the face (and lost an eye) and had the experience of fighting with a knife while trying not to shit my pants*.





*mostly successful.

 

[JayFisher]

Mr. Fisher, glad you found your niche and are very successful. Do you attend Blade in Atlanta?

I had to quit doing shows in 2005 (the same reason I had to resign from the Guild after 19 years a member back then). This was because my work load was getting just too far behind. It wasn't fair to my clients who had commissioned orders to wait any longer than necessary (already too long!) while I attended shows.