Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives

Inventory Knives

Definition of Inventory Knives

Inventory Knives (also called my Creative Works and Finished Knives) are knives that I've designed and made and are for sale on my Current Knives for Sale Page and my Current Tactical and Combat Knives for Sale page. These are knives that are complete, and highly detailed descriptions, measurements, specifications, materials, styles, and multiple photographs are posted on the individual knife for sale page. In essence, I write and detail every thing I can about each knife. There is no question about the size of the knife blade, the size and shape of the handle, the size and shape of the sheath, the weight, the materials used, the geometry of the blade, or the embellishment as all of these details are included on the page. I've provided multiple photographs from every angle, close-up photographs of the handles, the embellishment (if included) and both sides of the sheath. If the knife includes a stand or case, it also is completely photographed. This way, the client will know exactly what it is they will be purchasing. I know of no other knifemaker who will take the time to do this for his clients, and I do it because I want my clients to know exactly what it is they are looking at and purchasing.

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Inventory Knife Illustrations and Descriptions

Since nearly all my knives are sold via the pages of this website, please consider the following points:

• Photographic lighting and display: I use a very well-made digital camera under color balanced lighting to photograph the knives, but there are differences in displays and color monitors that may contribute to a slightly different color balance, resolution, contrast, and appearance on each monitor. Knife materials can look different in various lighting situations. For example, knives viewed under florescent lighting may look much different than when viewed in direct sunlight or tungsten-based room lighting. Some of the gemstone materials vary widely when viewed under different lighting. Monitors can vary significantly, and monitor lighting balance, contrast, density, and color temperature can be set and changed by different users even on the same monitor. Therefore, I can not guarantee that the colors will exactly match what you see on your monitor.
• Texture: I do my best to describe the texture of metals, stones, and organics used in knife, sheath, and stand construction. Since this is subjective, the photographic illustrations should be considered as well as the descriptions.
• Balance and Feel: Though these properties are subjective, I offer my interpretations based on experience in making and handling knives for decades to describe knife and sheath balance and feel. If a knife feels light and comfortable to me, it may not feel so to someone else with smaller hands. I do my best to describe each knife, but my interpretations may be different than yours as no two people are exactly alike. Again, the photographs, measurements, and specifications must also be considered with the description.
• Weight and Size: Unlike balance, feel, and texture, weight and sizes are absolute. There is no confusion about how big a handle is, for instance, as the length of the blade and the overall length are measured and posted on every knife. Just subtract one from the other, and you'll know exactly how big the handle is. The blade length is from the tip of the blade to the front bolster face, unless otherwise described, as that is the specification required by legal definition in most states. Some knives that have bolsters or guards that extend beyond the cutting edge into the blade are not measured this way; they are measured at the cutting edge. The overall length is the longest dimension of the knife. The thickness is measured in the thickest part of the blade spine, usually just in front of the front bolster or guard. Weights are measured with an accurate postal scale.

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Inventory Knife Payments

Payments accepted for inventory knives are the price of the knife plus the FedEx shipping charges. I don't charge for handling, boxes, or other fees. I accept checks, money orders, bank transfers, or Western Union transfers. I'll need the shipping address and a contact telephone number to calculate the FedEx shipping charges. I don't arrange layaways, payments over time, or any other holding plans for any knife purchase, custom or inventory. For clear and detailed reasons for this, visit this bookmark on my Business of Knifemaking page.

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Inventory Knife Purchases and Disputes

I guarantee your satisfaction upon acceptance of your knife. If you purchase a knife from my inventory, you have 24 hours (during business days) after you receive the knife to inform me that the knife is not acceptable to you. If you wish to return the knife and receive a refund, you must return the knife, unused and in the condition it was received, with the return shipment initiated within 48 hours (during business days) of receipt of the knife. This protects both the maker and the client within a reasonable time frame.

Also, just like every other online vendor, shipping is not refundable.

Note: There are certain finishes and materials that may not be covered in this policy. Knives with blued blades, or shell or bone handles can be more easily damaged in nature and finish can be defaced by handling or scuffed by repeated insertion and removal from a sheath. Some materials can change in the temperature and humidity changes of shipping, so once the knife has been accepted, it can not be returned for a refund. Be sure and ask if you are uncertain about these finishes or materials.

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Inventory Knife Workmanship Guarantee

I guarantee my workmanship for my lifetime, or as long as I'm physically able to remedy any craftsmanship issue, which is all any craftsman can do.

• I can not guarantee that a design will be completely acceptable to each client, and that is why I go into so much detail on my individual knives for sale pages. A design or shape is not workmanship, so If the client is not happy with the design, they can immediately return the knife for a full refund or application of their payment towards another project we both agree upon, just as listed in the previous topic: Purchases and Disputes.
• I can not guarantee that a knife will stand up to abuse or neglect, or a use not intended for a knife. No knife will last forever; every blade and cutting edge can wear. Materials, particularly organics, can be subject to changes such as shrinking, checking, absorption, and drying that may affect fit, size, shape, and appearance.
• I can not guarantee satisfaction over a long or indefinite period of time as knives can change with wear and exposure. Since there is no way to know how a knife is treated, used, or stored, it would be unreasonable to have an indefinite guarantee.
• I can not guarantee fragile materials or finishes. Some finishes, like blued steel or mirror polished bolsters will scuff with repeated insertion or removal from the sheath, and drastic changes in humidity and temperature can alter organics like shell, bone, and some woods.
• I can not guarantee knife satisfaction for a knife purchased for someone else after the initial 24 hours (as listed in the previous topic). If the client plans to purchase a knife for someone else, they must be absolutely certain that the intended recipient and client accept it within the first 24 hours.
• I can not guarantee perfection; there simply is no such thing. Anything made by hand will have irregularities, no finish, form, or assembly is perfect.

For an idea of my record of satisfied clients, please look over my Testimonials page, and look over individual testimonials on my Featured Knives pages, featuring hundreds of knives.

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Shipping Damage

Though rare, this does happen.

So, here's the shipping disclaimer: I can't be responsible for the knife package once it's shipped and has left my hands. If there is damage to the package, item, or contents caused by careless handling, it is the recipient's responsibility to file a claim with the shipper carrier, TSA, or other authority that has caused the damage. I'll help with what information and record I have (the photo set and description page is a good reference for condition), but I can't be responsible for anything they do.

Since all of my current shipments are FedEx and insured, I'll help initiate and complete any claim from my end.

For much more information on this topic, link on my shipping page at this bookmark.

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Custom Delivery

A client may have special needs or requests in his shipping, mainly the timing of delivery, and his ability to be able to sign for or have someone sign for the receipt of your package. FedEx is a great shipper; they have a program called Delivery Manager to  adapt the recipient's schedule to receive of all of his FedEx packages including mine! Link to my shipping page at this bookmark to learn how you can set this up!

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Custom Knives

Definition of Custom Knives

Custom knives are knives made to order. Because these are specialized knives, suited to the individual client and ordered and built to his own agreement and specifications, my policy for custom knives differs from inventory knives above.

The Deposit

Custom knives are ordered with a non-refundable $200.00 deposit. As described on my Custom Knife Orders page at this bookmark, the deposit is used to purchase blade steel, handle material, and some of the expendables that will be used to build your knife. It also compensates me slightly for the initial investment of time to start your project.

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Custom Knife Illustrations and Descriptions

Since nearly all my knives are represented via this website, please consider the following points:

• Photographic lighting and display: I use a very well-made digital camera under color balanced lighting to photograph the knives, but there are differences in displays and color monitors that may contribute to a slightly different color balance, resolution, contrast, and appearance on each monitor. Knife materials can look different in various lighting situations. For example, knives viewed under florescent lighting may look much different than when viewed in direct sunlight or tungsten-based room lighting. Some of the gemstone materials vary widely when viewed under different lighting. Monitors can vary significantly, and monitor lighting balance, contrast, density, and color temperature can be set and changed by different users even on the same monitor. Therefore, I can not guarantee that the colors will exactly match what the viewer sees on his monitor.
• Materials: I'll do my best to use the materials my client has requested in his custom knife order. Not all materials requested can be used for each project, but I'll inform my client of any materials change I may need to make on their project.
• Texture: I'll do my best to finish and apply the texture the client has requested on his knife. Not all textures and finishes will apply, and this is handled on an individual basis. The client will always be informed of any changes necessary on his project, and the reasons for those changes. I do my best to describe the texture of metals, stones, and organics used in knife, sheath, and stand construction. Since this is subjective, the photographic illustrations should be considered as well as the descriptions.
• Balance and Feel: Though these properties are subjective, I offer my interpretations based on experience in making and handling knives for decades to describe knife and sheath balance and feel. If a knife feels light and comfortable to me, it may not feel so to someone else with smaller hands. I do my best to describe each knife, but my interpretations may be different than yours as no two people are exactly alike. Again, the photographs, measurements, and specifications must also be considered with the description. Since balance and feel is subjective and the knife design will have already been agreed upon, it is not a reason to accept a return or cancellation of an order.
• Weight and Size: Unlike balance, feel, and texture, weight and sizes are absolute. The handle can be sized for the client's hand using the handle sizing page here. If the client has any changes or variations of an existing pattern, we will have discussed it and clarified it in the email discussion about the project before I begin. There should be no confusion about how big a handle is, for instance, as the length of the blade and the overall length are measured and posted on every knife. Just subtract one from the other, and it will be clear how big the handle is. The blade length is from the tip of the blade to the front bolster face, as that is the specification required by legal definition in most states. Some knives that have bolsters or guards that extend beyond the cutting edge into the blade are not measured this way; they are measured at the cutting edge. The overall length is the longest dimension of the knife. The thickness is measured in the thickest part of the blade spine, usually just in front of the front bolster or guard. Weights are measured with an accurate postal scale.

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Custom Knife Payments

Payments accepted for custom knives are the balance due of the knife plus the FedEx shipping charges. I don't charge for handling, boxes, or other fees. I do accept checks, money orders, bank transfers, and Western Union transfers. I'll need the shipping address and a contact telephone number to calculate the FedEx shipping charges. I don't arrange layaways, payments over time, or any other holding plans for any knife purchase, custom or inventory.

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Timely Payment of the Balance Due

When the custom knife order is finished, I expect a timely payment of the balance. Since these projects usually quote in years to delivery, there is plenty of time for the client to prepare, be ready with the balance due, and complete the purchase. Additionally, I post the progress of the project on my Where's my knife, Jay? page at every update, so there is no surprise when the knife is completed.

When the project is complete, I will inform the client via email. If there is any delay, I will give a deadline for payment. It is a firm deadline; ten business days from the completion of the project. If the project is not paid for by the deadline, the order is cancelled and the deposit is retained.

You might wonder why I do this, and I want to make this absolutely clear, to eliminate confusion about waiting times (in the queue) and payment timing:

When a client orders a knife, it's a contract. The contract is made usually through email, and the details are specified in the email. A general idea of the time it takes to get to the project is given. When the project comes up in the queue, the client may be contacted, but not always. In any case, I'm the contractor, and the client has contracted with me to do his job.

This is the same as if the client were to make a contract with a painting contractor to paint his house. The contractor lets him know that he has a long waiting period before he can paint the client's house, but he accepts the client's deposit, and when that wait is over, the painting contractor begins to paint. He lets the client know, along the way, how it is going. When he is finished, the client sees the result of the painter-contractor's work, and he pays him.

If the client says, "I waited a long time to get you to paint my house, and now you can wait to get paid," what do you think will happen? The painter will give a firm deadline of a handful of days for the client to pay him, or he will take the client to court.

After all, the client has a job, how long would he expect to wait until his boss pays him? A week? Two weeks? A month? Six months? Of course  not, the person who works by contract expects to get paid after the work is done.

If the client can't or won't pay the contractor for painting his house, he will end up in court.

If the client can't or won't pay the knifemaker for making his knife, he will lose the value of his deposit and the chance to ever do business with the knifemaker again. But the knifemaker, like the painting contractor, and like any person working for a living, will not wait a long period of time to get paid, that's unreasonable, and in every location, illegal.

The client doesn't expect to wait to get paid by his boss, and a knifemaker-contractor doesn't expect to wait get paid by his client. This is why I use the three-contact and then ten business day deadline. That's weeks of waiting to get paid for a job done. It's more than reasonable, and more gracious that most people expect in their own job or business.

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Don't be a "No Contact" Client!

If someone has ordered a custom knife from me, they have probably spend a good deal of time waiting in the queue. This is expected; I  have many clients, and it's only fair that the "first come, first served" policy is in place. So, when a client realizes that it takes years to actually receive his custom knife, he knows that this is not an instant gratification process, that each custom knife must be hand built, by me, one piece at a time, since these are custom knives. I'm not talking about inventory knives immediately available on the site, but custom ordered knives and projects.

Most of the time spent in the queue is waiting for previous orders to clear. When the build of the custom knife is to begin, I'll usually contact the client to let him know. At this time, most clients respond; they are ready for their knife to be made!

However, some clients simply don't respond. They may have let their email account expire (but never actually closed it so the email does not come back as "returned"), or may be too busy, or relocated, or don't want the original order due to circumstances changing in their lives, or any number of reasons that I simply can't know. With no response, I have to clear my queue, so here is what I do:

1. I'll send a contact email to the person, letting them know that their custom project is ready to be built.
2. If no response, up to a week later, I'll send a follow-up email with the same included string and topic
3. If no response, I'll send a final email which gives the client a specific 10 business days (two weeks) to respond about this custom knife order.
4. If no response, his order is cancelled, his deposit is forfeited, and he will not be able to order or purchase from me in the future.

This is only fair to me, my business, and the other clients who are waiting in the queue.

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Custom Knife Purchases and Disputes

Because custom knives are made to order, they can not simply be returned or exchanged. The client is responsible for payment for their custom project. I will work with them for their satisfaction, but obviously a custom knife can not simply be resold like an Inventory knife, because it is a specialized, personalized knife suited only to the client who ordered it.

If you are a client, please be certain you agree to the custom knife project before we finalize an order and the deposit is made.

It's important to note that I'm an artist first and foremost, and my artistic vision can easily be seen on the many pages of knives on this website. If my client is not happy with the results in the finished project, he simply does not have to buy the piece. The deposit is non-refundable. Also, just like every other online vendor, shipping is not refundable.

For an idea of my record of satisfied clients, please look over my Testimonials page, and look over individual testimonials on my Featured Knives pages, featuring hundreds of knives.

Note: There are certain finishes and materials that may not be covered in this policy. Knives with blued blades, or shell or bone handles can be more easily damaged in nature and finish can be defaced by handling or scuffed by repeated insertion and removal from a sheath. Some materials can change in the temperature and humidity changes of shipping, so once the knife has been accepted, it can not be returned for a refund. Be sure and ask if you are uncertain about these finishes or materials.

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Cancellations by Maker

I reserve the right to cancel orders.

Though this rarely happens, this protects me from unworkable situations, designs, styles, or requirements that occur after the original quote is given. For instance, if a client agrees to the quoted knife project, and then changes it to something that is not the type of knife I build, I may cancel the order. Another example is if a client becomes difficult to deal with, and our original quoted project then becomes unworkable, I may cancel the order. The normally non-refundable deposit may be refunded if I have not used it in design work, purchasing materials, or applied it in any way toward the project.

This is only fair, and it keeps the original quoted project and conversation on track. It would be unreasonable to ask me to deal with unworkable and continuous changes to the original order, and unreasonable to ask me to work with a difficult or unreasonable client.

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Custom Knife Workmanship Guarantee

Just as with Inventory knives above, I absolutely guarantee my workmanship for my lifetime, or as long as I'm physically able to remedy any craftsmanship issue, which is all any craftsman can do.

• I can not guarantee that a knife will stand up to abuse or neglect, or to a use not intended for a knife. No knife will last forever, every blade and cutting edge can wear. Materials, particularly organics, can be subject to changes such as shrinking, checking, absorption, and drying that may affect fit, size, shape, and appearance.
• I can not guarantee your satisfaction over a long or indefinite period of time as knives can change with wear and exposure. Since there is no way to know how a knife is treated, used, or stored, it would be unreasonable to have an indefinite guarantee.
• I can not guarantee fragile materials or finishes. Some finishes, like blued steel or mirror polished bolsters will scuff with repeated insertion or removal from the sheath, and drastic changes in humidity and temperature can alter organics like shell, bone, and some woods.
• I can not guarantee knife satisfaction for a knife purchased for someone else after the initial 24 hours (as listed in the previous topic). If the client plans to purchase a knife for someone else, they must be absolutely certain that the intended recipient and client accept it within the first 24 hours.
• I can not return the deposit, whether it is paid toward the design fee or toward the start of your project. This deposit and/or design fee is applied toward my time and effort to work up and start the project. It's also used to purchase the initial materials and expendables to start the project. Read the design fee details on a special page here.
• On some large projects, I may request a larger deposit to start the project. As with the standard $200 deposit above, this represents an immense amount of time and effort on my part as well as materials, expendables and supplies, and this deposit is also not refundable for custom projects.
• I can not guarantee perfection; there simply is no such thing. Anything make by hand will have irregularities, no finish, form, or assembly is perfect.

For an idea of my record of satisfied clients, please look over my Testimonials page, and look over individual testimonials on my Featured Knives pages, featuring hundreds of knives.

Page Topics

Shipping Damage

Though rare, this does happen.

So, here's the shipping disclaimer: I can't be responsible for the knife package once it's shipped and has left my hands. If there is damage to the package, item, or contents caused by careless handling, it is the recipient's responsibility to file a claim with the shipper carrier, TSA, or other authority that has caused the damage. I'll help with what information and record I have (the photo set and description page is a good reference for condition), but I can't be responsible for anything they do.

Since all of my current shipments are FedEx and insured, I'll help initiate and complete any claim from my end.

For much more information on this topic, link on my shipping page at this bookmark.

Page Topics

Custom Delivery

A client may have special needs or requests in his shipping, mainly the timing of delivery, and his ability to be able to sign for or have someone sign for the receipt of your package. FedEx is a great shipper; they have a program called Delivery Manager to  adapt the recipient's schedule to receive of all of his FedEx packages including mine! Link to my shipping page at this bookmark to learn how you can set this up!

Page Topics