"Arctica" Survival Knife, Combat Knife, Tactical Knife by Jay Fisher

Arctica

"Arctica" Tactical Combat, CSAR, Survival Knife

Size: Length overall: 12.75" (32.4 cm), Blade Length: 7.25" (18.4 cm), Thickness: .264" (6.7 mm)
Weight: Knife: 1 lb., 3.5 oz. (553 grams) Sheath (Polar digital camouflage with Extender and Accessories): 1 lb., 1 oz. (482 grams), Sheath (Black Kydex with Extender and Accessories): 1 lb., 1 oz. (482 grams)
Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, Bead Blasted
Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Bead Blasted
Handle: Gray and Black G10 Fiberglass/Epoxy Laminate Composite
Sheath 1: Locking, Polar digital camouflage Pattern Kydex, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Polypropylene and Nylon belt loop extender with Firesteel/Magnesium fire starter, Coarse DMT diamond pad sharpener
Sheath 2: Locking, Black Kydex, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Polypropylene and Nylon belt loop extender with Firesteel/Magnesium fire starter, Fine DMT diamond pad sharpener
Knife: Answering requests for an extreme duty professional combat, survival, search and rescue and brutally tough and durable versatile knife and sheath combination, I designed and built the Arctica. I wanted to make a knife that was suitable for the most extreme of environments and duty, a bulletproof ice-shattering design. I used as my inspiration the rigid and unyielding ice breaker squared geometries of ships that clear the arctic shipping lanes and the name of an ancient continent formed early in the earth's age in what is now the Canadian and Siberian shields. I started with a tough blade design carefully based on my proven and popular combat search and rescue PJ and PJLT tanto blades, but with some slight curves in the profile and some seriously thick blade stock. The deep hollow grinds are crisp and defined, yet I left plenty of thickness behind the single bevel cutting edge for great edge strength. The point of this knife is very strong, one of my strongest, and a two-third's length top swage helps narrow the point geometry for piercing potential. I made this Arctica in high chromium 440C martensitic stainless tool steel for super corrosion resistance so the knife can endure wet environments and hardened and tempered the knife to HRC 59 for increased wear resistance and substantial hardness. I added over 2 inches of my Vampire rip teeth serrations for tough ripping chores and a thick quillon at the forefinger to prevent the hand from moving on to the blade. The knife has a well-defined thumb rise for control, and the thick spine and fully tapered tang are fileworked with one of my heterodyne patterns, bold and striking. I wanted an extremely durable butt on this knife handle, so I only slightly tapered the tang to leave a good thickness there, and mounted a seriously stout, thick, and meaty large rear bolster in 304 stainless steel, secured with four 1/8" stainless steel zero-clearance pins. This is a rear bolster you could break ice with, and the large radius quillons can accommodate most hands wearing gloves. The bolster has a 5/16" large through-tang lanyard hole for extra security, and the front bolster is tapered and radiused for easy cleaning. The bolsters are dovetailed and bed a pair of super tough G10 fiberglass/epoxy laminate composite manmade handle scales in gray and black, mechanically secured with six 1/8" 304 stainless steel through-tang pins and bedded in waterproof compound. The handle is comfortable in a both forward and reverse grip styles; the balance point is at the junction of the front bolster and handle scale dovetail. This is one of the sturdiest, most durable knives I've ever made.
Sheaths (2!): Previewing my new Polar digital camouflage Kydex, in addition to my standard black kydex, I've made two of my fine locking, waterproof tactical models for this knife, the best tactical combat knife sheaths made anywhere. I know that this knife won't always be worn in the arctic, so I included one of my standard black kydex sheaths also. While most makers use a single thickness kydex (.060"), both of these are (.125"), twice that thick for strength, durability, stability, and longevity. The digital camouflage pattern is dye-printed into the surface of the white kydex which is hot-formed over a 5052H32 corrosion resistant, high strength aluminum welt frame, secured with solid 304 stainless steel Chicago screws and waterproof cement. The sheaths have all stainless steel locking components in 302, 304, and 316 austenitic stainless steel for low-care, high corrosion resistance, and durability while positively locking the knife in the sheath. Even the machine screws and reinforcements are stainless steel. 1.75" wide belt loops are die-formed, in high strength, corrosion resistant 5052H32 aluminum, and are reversible for versatile wear in any position. The belt loops can also be relocated at the sheath tail, for inverted wear in a variety of positions.
Accessories: I decided to go all out on these sheaths, and included two of my new survival, CSAR sheath belt loop extension accessories with new and added features and devices. The polypropylene accessory is waterproof, durable, and extremely stout, and allows the locking knife sheath to be worn in a more traditional belt position. The extension is mounted with 304 stainless steel straps and machine screws attached to the existing stainless Chicago screws, and the assembly is stiffened by multiple zigzag nylon stitching to prevent the extension from folding, bending, or collapsing when the knife is extracted from the sheath. The belt loop is over 2 inches wide for the widest of belts, and has a top placement shock cord with snap retention to prevent the knife handle from flopping around during active movements. The shock cord is not for retention of the knife; this is done with the stainless steel sheath lock. At the back of the extension I've created a custom fit pocket for a DMT (Diamond Machining Technology) Mini-Sharp diamond-nickel abrasive hone, to bring up the cutting edge in the field with ease. These are great tools that can re-sharpen or just touch up even the hardest tool steel edges, as they are surface bonded with diamond abrasives. I included a blue (coarse) grit sharpener as well as a red (fine) grit sharpener on these two extensions. The pockets for these tools are cleverly situated at the sheath back and against the body, and the sharpener can not be removed unless the sheath is off the body and the Velcro closure is open. I also added a specially modified critical survival component to this accessory: the Firesteel/Magnesium block with custom fittings. These blocks are waterproof and durable, with soft magnesium that can be easily shaved off with the knife blade, and a Firesteel striker to ignite the magnesium shavings when placed into tinder to start a fire. A unique addition to this commonly found block is the stainless steel rod guard. This minimizes the possibility of the Firesteel contacting any other metals and causing accidental sparks and ignition when worn or removed, guards the knife tip (or swage) when the blade is dragged over the Firesteel, helps concentrate and guide the spark direction, and offers a variety of mounting options, besides on the sheath extender's industrial strength Velcro straps. Being all 304 stainless steel, it will not corrode or rust. Learn much more about these critical accessories on a special page on my site. Mounting, care, and use instructions are posted there.
An extremely durable, strong, and tough knife for the most brutal of environments, with multiple accessory packages, devices, and wear options.

Thanks, P. K.!

Jay you need a section on your website that displays only "beasts" of this style. There is no way that you can accurately describe weapons of this style and be believed. Over the decades I have seen a lot of survival knives, military issue knives and knives made by self-proclaimed experts that are one time used and thrown away for all practical purposes. Your creations will last my lifetime and my heirs lifetime as well.
Thank you again!

Best always:
P.

Please click on thumbnail knife photos

"Arctica" reverse side view. The die formed high strength aluminum belt loops are reversivble side to side and can be moved to the sheath tail for inverted wear.

"Arctica" fine handmade combat, tactical, survival knife, spine edgework, filework detail. Filework is deep and bold, helps with purchase on spine top in wet, cold environments

"Arctica" inside handle tang view. Tang is thick, yet tapered for good weight balance. Bolsters are thick and very tough

"Arctica" obverse side handle detail. G10 is an extremely durable fiberglass/epoxy composite material. Handle scales are secured with large and numerous stainless steel pins and bedding.

"Arctica" reverse side handle detail. Rear bolster is very large, weighty and tough in high nickel-chromium stainless steel

"Arctica" tactical, combat, survival knife, sheathed view. Sheath is new digital camouflage pattern, is waterproof, locking, highly durable.

"Arctica" point detail. This is a very stout and substantial knife point, suitable for piercing and heavy blade work.

"Arctica" sheathed view with complete accessory package. Survival knives as well as combat, rescue and tactical tools accompanied by useful adjuncts and items.

"Arctica" sheath back view. Sheath extender is polypropylene and nylon, heavily stitched and waterproof.

"Arctica" sheath extender options package contains blue diamond pad sharpener, guarded custom firesteel/magnesium fire starting block

"Arctica" accessories. Firestarter attaches to velcro closure, sharpener in pocket at sheath back.

"Arctica" in traditional black double thickness kydex sheath with complete accessory package on sheath extender option

"Arctica" black kydex sheath accessory, extender, diamond abrasive sharpening pad, and firesteel/magnesium firestarter block.

Testimonials about other "Arctica" Knives:

Jay,
I was tracking the package eagerly and was happy to find it arrived a day early. The knife is simply beautiful. Without being prone to hyperbole- it is the best knife I have ever held by far. I am so, so impressed. The balance is absolutely perfect. This is a beast of a knife, but it fits my hand like it was made for it- feels like an extension of my arm. The geometry of the blade is so perfectly symmetrical and the the cutting edge is surgical.
I remember reading your website where it says that you "make the real thing." I believed that statement when I read it, but now I feel what you mean. This is no factory production knife. I know our men in combat who carry your knives have confidence that the knife will stand up to any challenge. The kydex sheath is awesome and it locks the blade without even a slight jiggle. The accessories are such a nice touch and I greatly appreciated that you put that much thought into the components that would compliment the knife/sheath.
Jay, this is the finest object I have ever purchased. Thank you for being the professional that you are.

Sincerely,
--C. B.

Hi Jay,
Thanks for checking in; I received the Arctica today.
Wow! There is no way I can describe how impressed I am with this knife. The pictures on your website are great, but they just don't compare to experiencing the reality. It's going to take me days to get used to every detail, especially with so many great accessories included, so here are my very first impressions:
The balance is perfect; that big rear bolster really balances out the hefty blade so that it pivots perfectly on the first two fingers of my grip; combined with the thumb rise, this thing handles like a much lighter knife.
At first I thought the space between the bolsters was a little large for my hand, then I realized, a knife like this was designed for guys who wear gloves! Sure enough, with a pair of shooting gloves the grip is perfect.
The flat finish is ideal for a no-nonsense work knife, and the squared-off file work adds detail without being "showy" (which I don't think would suit it). I love how all the metal parts on the sheath and it's accessories match the finish on the knife.
There are so many other impressive details, but you're a busy guy, and anyway the point is I couldn't be happier, thank you so much for making this knife and giving me the opportunity to own it.
You have a customer for life; I'm already looking at some of your inventory knives!
Thanks again,

Hello Jay,

I sat down to open the package containing Arctica with a bit of trepidation, expecting a complex system that would require some work to appreciate. After first admiring your impeccable and beautiful work on the obviously made-for-business-use leather sheath, I laid out the rest of the box's contents. As I did, the first thought I had regarding the Arctica knife and tactical sheath was, "This is the real deal."

What a great looking handle, with the brass fibers providing a visual texture that made me want to pick up the knife. Taking the knife, in the sheath, in hand and appreciating the solidity of it as a unit is a striking tactile indicator of how tight the design and implementation is. This is a precision piece of engineering. I'm relieved that the handle isn't too large for my hand. Now to the really fun part, hitting that locking-mechanism release with the tip of my thumb and drawing the blade from the sheath. And then doing it again and again, just to enjoy it; it locks securely with no play of knife in sheath, but releases so easily with the natural draw grip. I wondered if you had an "Aha!" moment when you thought of the design.

This is a robust knife, with the feel that only the best tools have. To me that feeling is, "I trust this tool to get the job done. I can rely on it to perform whenever I need it, under hard use and bad conditions."

Setting the knife aside for a bit I go back to the sheath and its functionality. I find the HULA ingenious and it makes so much sense to have this attached to the sheath rather than a separate attachment point elsewhere. Moreover, the ball joint lets me put light wherever I want it, with the paddle-tensioner easily adjusted with a gloved hand. At this point I am certain this is going on the sternum harness.

Jay the integration of the fire starter and diamond sharpener are well done and together with the spare parts and accessories, to say nothing of the sternum harness, complete this "ultimate package." All of your detailed instructions are a valuable resource, but my initial trepidation about the system was unwarranted. What you've built is precise, robust and intuitive. You did the thinking so I can do the 'doing.' I think my words of appreciation for Aquila were more concise, but I've had such a good time this afternoon getting to know this Arctica that I wanted to share my delight.

Again, much respect for your knowledge, skill, precision and attitude. To be the pinnacle of human endeavor in a chosen field is indeed righteous.

Thank You,

--M.

Thank you, it is an amazing work of art and an incredible knife. Outstanding! Thanks again.

--K.

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