Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives

• Size: Length overall: 12.5" (31.8 cm), Blade Length: 6.6" (16.6 cm), Thickness: 190" (4.8 mm)
• Weight: Knife: 11.2 oz. (318 grams) Sheath: 6.5 oz. (184 grams)
• Blade: D2 Extremely High Carbon Die Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C60
• Bolsters, Fittings: Hand-Engraved 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
• Handle: Polished Pilbara Picasso Jasper Gemstone from Australia
• Sheath: Hand-carved, Hand-Tooled Leather Shoulder
• Knife: The Magdalena was designed when I lived in the small mountain town by the same name. The Magdalena has always been a popular knife, both from the standpoint of a working tool and from the artistic form of a fine instrument of collector's value. This particular Magdalena has a Magnum designation and design, because it is larger and longer than the original pattern. The long blade has an imposing drop point design, which makes for a stout-pointed knife that is easy to sheath with plenty of thin, sharp belly. I made this knife in D2 extremely high carbon die steel. D2 has a reputation for being one of the finest modern tool steels made, with several interesting attributes. Because D2 has the highest carbon content of any tool steel used for knives (1.65 %), it has extremely high hardening characteristics, with deep hardening depth. So wear-resistant is this steel that unless it is ground very thin, it is difficult to sharpen because of the high hardness. But don't worry; I've hollow ground the blade very thin and accurate all along the length for a very fine and accurate geometry. Because this steel also has high chromium content of 12%, it is also corrosion resistant. Though not a true stainless steel, it is resistant to most exposures, apart from prolonged exposure to salt water or acids (like orange juice). The combination of extremely high carbon and high chromium in this alloy lead to a high concentration of chromium carbides, extremely hard particles which give this steel it's well-deserved reputation of having some of the highest wear resistance of any cutlery steel. A side characteristic of the dense chromium carbides is that you can see the particles in the grain on the surface of the brightly polished blade, known by knife professionals as "orange peel" grain. This also clearly identifies the blade as premium D2, for this is the only steel to exhibit this surface grain structure. As a fine metals artist and craftsman, I think the grain structure is quite beautiful. The blade edge has a small recurve area at the small choil, followed by a good length of straight edge and a sweeping belly tipped with a thin and razor keen point. The blade is clean and elegant with no filework along the fully tapered tang for easy cleaning and smooth comfort. The handle, like the blade, is long and full, balancing the blade and allowing a full grip in the recurve area of the handle, or necking up with the forefinger in the front forefinger groove at the face of the front bolster. The knife is bolstered with zero care, super tough 304 austenitic high nickel, high chromium stainless steel, into which I've hand-engraved layered fleur-de-lis. The lily flower pattern covers both the front and rear bolsters, with clean shading and nice depth. The bolsters are dovetailed and bed a pair of large and beautiful Pilbara Picasso Jasper gemstone handle scales. This Australian gemstone is fascinating and masculine, and is very hard, tough, and durable with a bright lustrous polish. The stone has intriguing lines and patterns, layers of visual interest in blacks, reds, and sunset oranges. Some have called it "modern art in stone," with the punchy contrast and high visual appeal. The supply of this stone is extremely limited, coming from one of the oldest rock formations in the world and no longer excavated. The knife feels smooth, comfortable, and substantial in the hand. Don't let the beauty of this knife fool you; it is an extremely tough, hard, and durable tool made to work and last for generations.
• Sheath: The sheath for this knife was made to match the knife; I carved it from 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, hand-carved and hand-tooled in fleur-de-lis pattern matching the complex sunset colors and highlights of the gemstone and bolster engravings. The sheath is deep and protective, securing the knife well into the thick welted frame. It's carved front and back, hand stitched with nylon and zigzag-stitched at the tough belt loop for durable fastness. The sheath is solid, smooth, and comfortable, lacquered and sealed.
• An elegant, masculine, punchy knife in a very hard and unique steel, fascinating premium handle material, and classy engraving and embellishment.

Thanks, R. F.!