Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives

"Orion" Fine Handmade Knife

• Size: Length overall: 11.25" (28.6 cm), Blade Length: 6.0" (15.2 cm), Thickness: .200" (5.1 mm)
• Weight: Knife: 1 lb., 1 oz. (482 grams), Sheath: 7.7 oz. (218 grams)
• Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Cryogenically Treated, Hardened and Tempered to 59 HRC
• Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Hand-engraved
• Handle: Rio Grande Agate Gemstone (New Mexico)
• Sheath: Hand-carved leather shoulder inlaid with Frog skin
• Knife: My Orion design is named for the mythological hunter and the constellation in our night sky. It took a very special knife to be named Orion, and this design is befitting of the well-recognized name. This is a variation of my "Hooded Warrior' design, with a taste of the counterterrorism curves of my "Kairos" and some dramatic lines and variants which create a large, substantial and dominating blade pattern. I made this Orion in 440C high chromium stainless steel, for the highest corrosion resistance of any mirror polished martensitic high carbon hypereutectoid stainless steel, and the beauty and durability of this blade demonstrates why it is my most asked-for steel. The leaf-shaped and inspired blade is deeply hollow ground, for a razor-keen edge supported by a thick, strong spine. The two-thirds length top swage reduces point profile without sacrificing strength, and I've fully fileworked the tapered tang with my "Royale" filework. The blade I heat treated with deep cryogenic processing, a long, extended soaking time of over 35 hours at -300°F followed by triple tempering and deep cryogenic soaking in between for the ultimate in thermal cycling and allotrope conversion. This is the very best this steel can be; it's hard, it's tough, it's wear resistant, and it's extremely corrosion resistant, needing minimal care. The design has a large front bolster area, with wide quillons to prevent the hand from moving onto the blade, large finger grooves and a full belly gives plenty of gripping security, and the near "gun" grip angle of the handle to the blade offers comfort and relief with a more natural wrist position than a straight blade and handle. The bolsters are 304 austenitic stainless steel, with 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel, the same super tough and extremely corrosion resistant stainless steel used on nuts, bolts, and fasteners. This is a zero-care stainless steel, and will simply not corrode in any environment, short of concentrated acids! Into the polished bolster surfaces I engraved a rolling, unfurling leaf design, with deep backgrounding for a contrast effect. The bolsters are contoured, smoothed, and comfortable, and are dovetailed and bed a pair of beautiful gemstone handle scales, Rio Grande Agate from our state of New Mexico. This is a very hard, tough, and durable gemstone, and will completely outlast the knife and everyone who owns it lasting indefinitely! The agate is a cryptocrystalline quartz, with some clear areas, some milky translucence, some solid colors of tans, oranges, maroons, and reds, and a few areas of crystal. This is a striking stone; it's always wondrous to me how these minerals are formed, in what intensive geologic process over millions of years. The stone is polished to a bright, glassy luster, and it's rounded, smoothed and contoured with a seamless fit to the bolsters and tang. The knife has a balance point at the front quillon peak, and feels solid and imposing in the hand.
• Sheath: The sheath had to be a special one to be commensurate with the Orion. I made it in 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, and designed it with a high back and a revealing low front to show plenty of the gemstone handle. I hand-carved the sheath for 19 inlays of frog skin, and carefully chose colors to match the colors in the gemstone handle. The design is the same design on the engraved bolsters, reflecting the curves of the leaves in the curves of the blade. I dyed the sheath in burgundy, and hand-stitched the sheath with a meandering puzzle stitch in black polyester, a special stitch that is random in design and looks completely different in the front and back. The sheath is lacquered and sealed for longevity, and is smooth and polished throughout.
• A substantial and beautiful unique piece; a work of art and premium design; one I'm very proud of.

Thanks, J. K.!