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

[Sam Cade]

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.

You got to admire the stubborn non-stop salesmanship.

As a wise man once said, "Buy the Knife, not the Story."

 

[JayFisher]

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. I have no clue how much work goes into his pieces but I thing this is pretty cool: http://web.archive.org/web/20131027034918/http://jayfisher.com/Elysium_Red_River_Jasper.htm

I'm not sure what the QVC special comment means, but even QVC knives evidently have buyers, because they keep selling them. There are all levels and types of knives.
The Elysium was a great project, and the owner loves it; that's all that matters.

 

[JayFisher]

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'
Okay Sam, I tried to be nice, and I see you just don't get it. Obviously you have limited knowledge overall, and we'll just have to disagree. It is a great honor to make military knives, no matter what you think. These guys put their lives on the line for your freedom and this is what you say? Hmm. My invite is withdrawn. You make your knives the way you see fit, and I hope you get the success you deserve.

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.
Now look? Fetish worship? What the? You do a great disservice to the great range of knifemaking, from collectors of art to the New Mexico State Policeman who designed the Last Chance model you identified. But he was a cop, so that probably doesn't wash with you either.

...Now this isn't a bad looking knife
Yep, that's the Last Chance I mentioned above.

...but many of your knives are rough around the plunge end of the secondary bevel.
That's tantamount to the distal taper of the grind termination on the balance point of the yokote-wash bleed line. Sigh.

Same here:

Good luck to you in all your endeavors.

 

[n7titan]

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.

I disagree. While a pro's opinion should carry more weight than the average joe, the overall public opinion does matter, even if they're wrong. That's what marketing is about.

 

[JayFisher]

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.

Brian, keep it up; you'll do fine. The thing a lot of guys just don't get (stubbornly) is that every knifemaker, just like every client is different. What one person thinks is not important, what the client thinks is. If you don't believe this, you're insulting your client, and it won't wash. They are the last say; it is they that honor guys like us with their dough. Whether it's a piece of art that appreciates in value over the years (what? perish the thought, how could you USE that?) to a working model for a guy castrating 200 calves (I make those, too). To stick to a limited idea of a knife is to distance yourself from the world who may educate you. And then you'll know why knives should have significant blade edge thickness where they bear the greatest force, and how to recognize that in a photo.

 

[JayFisher]

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.

Thanks for your kind words.
This will be my last post for the night; it's getting late and I have lots of work tomorrow. I hope I've been able to answer a few questions and light a few fires.
Thank you for the few kindnesses I've seen, and for those who disagree, don't like my work, or just don't get it, that's okay too.
Please support a knifemaker you know whose work you appreciate.

 

[snooka]

You lost me at Special Forces like the reverse grip...
They use a knife for utility and survival, a suppressed .22LR pistol would be doing the "black ops" silent kills.

 

[Sam Cade]

That's tantamount to the distal taper of the grind termination on the balance point of the yokote-wash bleed line. Sigh.

Err.. You don't make crisp plunges and the edge is thicker at the heel, so your secondary bevel smears around.


This:

Vs.


This

Now, is one of these "better" than the other? I think so.

 

[S.Alexander]

Personally, I have browsed your site Mr Fisher and I enjoyed all of the content you have posted there. It is informational, and you are obviously showing a huge effort to share your knowledge. It's makers like you that help others learn this craft, and increase general knowledge about knives.

Not every knife is for every person. I have a few favourite makers out there, but I don't like every single knife that they make.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Shane

 

[D.Crawford]

Whether or not he's on your list of favorite makers, Jay has obviously dedicated himself to the craft and successfully developed a recognizable style all his own. My hat is off to him for that accomplishment. This site would be pretty dull if everyone was doing Loveless knock-offs.

Jay, thanks for poking your in in (even if it was to duck & cover). You've surely got a big bag of makers tricks that I'd love to peek into. I'd also enjoy seeing an occasional post from you in the Knife Makers Forum or the Custom & Handmade forum here at BF.

Take care,
David

 

[El_Toro]

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.

I have to agree with this. Good for Mr. Fisher at being successful with something he loves to do! His knives are out of my price range, however more power to him for finding his niche!

He has shown good form in response to all of the posts in this thread. Especially those trolling posts made by that one person who won't quit. IMHO, this thread should be closed before it gets too ugly.

 

[trestle]

This has made for good reading but I'm waiting to hear a corpse hit the water, I'm pretty sure I can see dorsal fins circling about. Comparing the work of Jay Fisher with that of Jarrett Fleming is a disservice to both. Comparing pics of two knives you've never held and then telling the maker what he does wrong is wrong. Show some appreciation for the trade by not trashing someone who is successful at it.

 

[Morrow]

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.

I have no problem with critique. What I have a problem with is a thread started with a bunch of negative leaning "questions" throwing mud at maker that doesn't deserve it.

 

[SharpByCoop]

Jay's ego is as big as his success. That's certainly a large part of his endurance. I only wish I was as thickskinned and knowledgable.

My opinion and respect for his work was elevated when I watched this video of his shop and his ethics. It's a good business, and he's a good person.

[video=youtube_share;IKEbFe0Kyrw]http://youtu.be/IKEbFe0Kyrw[/video]

Nope, not for everyone, but neither is MY work among photographers. We find a niche, and we work it. Hard.

Thanks, Jay, for all you do.

Coop

 

[jvan]

Why is it that when a thread such as this, one that is quite educational, gets going that the urinal patrol has to come up from moms' basement and piss on someones parade?

 

[Idlewild]

I have long admired the knives that Jay Fisher has made. It's refreshing to see the wide variety of materials and techniques applied to the many unique features and designs. I've always been very impressed with the exceptional fit/finish he obtains.

 

[KELAMA]

I have been thoroughly impressed with the way Jay Fisher, has handled the negative comments in this thread, as well as for his beautiful work. To me, this speaks volumes to who he is as a person- PROFESSIONAL!

The comment's posted by the other knife maker's, pretty much say it all!

Best of luck in the future, Jay! :thumbup:

 

[KELAMA]

Jay's ego is as big as his success. That's certainly a large part of his endurance. I only wish I was as thickskinned and knowledgable.

My opinion and respect for his work was elevated when I watched this video of his shop and his ethics. It's a good business, and he's a good person.

[video=youtube_share;IKEbFe0Kyrw]http://youtu.be/IKEbFe0Kyrw[/video]

Nope, not for everyone, but neither is MY work among photographers. We find a niche, and we work it. Hard.

Thanks, Jay, for all you do.

Coop

I just finished watching- very impressive video! Thank you for posting this, Coop. What can't this guy do?

 

[Jarrett Fleming]

I respectfully ask to be left out of this discussion. Comparing my knives to Mr. Fisher's is just silly they are nothing at all alike.

I have nothing but Respect for Mr. Fisher. When I decided to start making knives 3 years ago his website is one of the first ones I found. I have visited it several times. He has loads of information about himself and his knives among other things on his website. If you ever have some time to sit down and check it out I suggest that you do so. It will keep you busy for a while.

 

[tltt]

What I find hilarious is that one of the main detractors of Mr. Fisher's work in this thread is a maker who's own work doesn't measure up at all to the level of fit and finish that Jay puts into his work.