Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives

"Lanceolate" Fine Handmade Knife

• Size: Length overall: 10.9" (27.7 cm), Blade Length: 5.75" (14.6 cm), Thickness: 0.187" (4.7 mm)
• Weight: Knife: 9.3 oz. (264 grams) Sheath: 7.2 oz. (204 grams)
• Blade: 440C high chromium martensitic stainless steel blade, T3 deep cryogenically treated with triple tempering to 58 HRC
• Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Mirror polished
• Handle: Cady Mountain Plume Agate Gemstone (Mojave Desert, California)
• Sheath: Hand-carved, hand-dyed leather shoulder inlaid with black glazed Caiman skin, nylon stitching, stainless steel welt screws
• Knife: Lanceolate is the name of this knife, referring to a leaf, sepal, petal, or other flat structure that is wider at the base than at the midpoint, tapers toward the apex, and has a length-to-width ratio of 3:1 or more. So, this knife blade is named for a leaf shape. The long tapered blade has a harpoon-type spine rise, and the point is long and lance-shaped.
  • The steel I chose for this knife is Food Contact Safe 440C high chromium martensitic stainless steel, my most requested steel for a reason. When properly treated, it's a dependable, reliable workhorse of extremely high corrosion resistance, good toughness and high wear resistance. The high chromium of 440C along with the high carbon and moderate molybdenum results in profuse chromium carbides, increasing corrosion resistance as well as wear resistance. To bring this steel to its zenith, I used my proprietary T3 deep cryogenic process in heat treating this blade; it's a highly detailed, extremely sophisticated process that takes 33 individual steps and takes over a week long. The result of this is an incredibly wear-resistant blade that has extremely high carbide development, fine grain, and extremely high corrosion resistance. Asperity is reduced; the microstructure development is superior to any other typical handmade knife, and far above any factory or manufactured knife. This is, simply put, 440C at its very finest advanced condition. The grind for this knife blade is hollow, leaving a very thick and strong spine with a thin, tough cutting edge. The point is thin enough for fine and accurate work, aggressive enough for defense and piercing. The cutting edge is single-beveled and ready for heavy cutting chores. I fileworked the knife completely around the tapered tang with a standard vine pattern for handmade flair and reduced slipping along the spine. The thickness of the spine encourages pressure with the thumb on the thumb rise and great control in grip.
  • I bolstered the knife with large, zero-care 304 high chromium, high nickel stainless steel bolsters, which are contoured, rounded and finished for a comfortable feel. The bolsters are secured with zero-clearance peened pins and dovetailed to bed the handle scales. The rear bolsters have a hawk's bill rear quillon that locks the handle into the hand and make it easy to unsheathe.
  • The handle scales of this knife are incredibly bold (look at the 6x enlargements below). This is Cady Mountain Plume Agate, a striking and hard, glassy polished agate from the Mojave Desert in California. This is a fine chalcedony, with crystal-lined pockets and flowing color through translucent and transparent agate. The closer you look at it, the more intricate the detail and I wonder how it came into being. It's tough and durable and will outlast the knife and many owners!
  • The knife feels strong and straight in the hand, locking well into the grip with the thumb naturally resting on the thumb rise. It's a striking beauty, with a mirror polished deeply hollow ground blade and an eternal and striking gemstone handle. This knife is food-contact safe.
• Sheath: I wanted a very bold sheath to compliment the colors and patterns in the plume agate. I hand-carved 9-10 oz. leather shoulder front, back, and belt loops and inlaid bold patterns of Glazed Black Caiman Skin, a premium material. Durability was paramount in this sheath, so I double-row stitched it throughout, including the belt loop, and reinforced the welts at the mouth with stainless steel screws. This high-backed sheath allows a comfortable wear position, and handsome flair and finish. It's lacquered and sealed for longevity.
• A thoroughly striking and beautiful piece of steel, stone, and skin for collection or use.

Thanks, P. M.!