Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives

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"Ari B'Lilah" counterterrorism, tactical, combat knife, obverse side view in T4 cryogenically treated 440C high chromium martensitic stainless steel blade, 304 stainless steel bolsters, red/black  G10 handle, hybrid tension tab locking sheath in kydex, anodized aluminum, anodized titanium, black oxide stainless steel
"Ari B'Lilah"

For Sale

"Skeg" Counterterrorism, Tactical,  Crossover Knife

"Skeg"  tactical, counterterrorism, crossover knife, obverse side view in ATS-34 high molybdenum martensitic stainless steel blade, 304 stainless steel bolsters, black and gray G10 fiberglass/epoxy composite handle, hybrid tension tab-locking sheath in kydex, anodized aluminum, black oxide stainless steel and anodized titanium
"Skeg" tactical knife kit, complete, with UBLX, EXBLX, HULA, LIMA, diamond sharpener, leather sheath, sternum harness, lanyards, staps, clamps, hardware, and heavy ballistic nylon duffle
NOTICE!
Please note the layout for the tactical knife description on this page. I've separated the components, briefly describing them in individual boxes. In those boxes are links to dedicated pages describing everything about the part, component, or accessory. The pages are substantial, and offer the history, operation, materials, use, mounting, and care of each accessory.
"Skeg" Tactical Combat, Counterterrorism Knife (Shadow Line)
All Matching in non-reflective flat black camouflage

This is a top-of-the-line, extremely tough and ultimate corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant knife: a tactical knife , sheath, and accessory package that is simply the best made. The knife is a complete crossover type, suitable for utility, rescue, and working tool applications. This package is comprehensive, sturdy, dependable, and useable. NO OTHER SOURCE can supply what you see here, all finely handmade to work with your gear, your outing, your mission, and your excursion, no matter the situation and exposure. This is simply one of the very best tactical knives and kit made today.

Purchase:

Status: Available. Contact me at jayfisher@jayfisher.com to purchase this professional knife kit

Price: $4,995.00

More photos below!

Included:

The Knife

  • Size: Length overall: 9.5" (24.1 cm), Blade Length: 4.3" (10.9 cm), Thickness: 0.179" (4.5 mm)
  • Weight: 11.7 oz. (332 grams)
  • Blade: ATS-34 High Molybdenum Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered, T4 Specialty Cryogenically treated to Rockwell C61, proprietary surface oxide treatment "Ghost Slate."
  • Bolsters/Fittings: 304 High Nickel, High Chromium Austenitic Stainless Steel, proprietary surface oxide treatment "Ghost Slate."
  • Handle: Black and Gray G10 Fiberglass/Epoxy Composite
  • Type/Purpose/Origin: A skeg is the tapering projection of the keel of a ship, boat, or watercraft. It protects the propeller, supports the rudder, and helps the craft steer. The shape of this blade looks just like many modern skegs, and that's why I named it "Skeg." The name is short, tight, simple, and punchy, and that's how this knife is designed. The Skeg is designed to be a super-tough, compact and serious counterterrorism and tactical knife and tool, and the design is extremely stout and functional, one of the toughest knives I make. This is a great crossover knife!
  • Blade Steel Alloy: The Skeg blade is a special hypereutectoid, high alloy stainless tool steel, ATS-34. This steel is extremely high in molybdenum and chromium, and I call it a "chrome-moly tool steel on steroids."  First, the carbon in this steel is extremely high at 1.25 percent, allowing significant development of martensite and forming of essential iron carbides. The second element is chromium, and at 14 percent, this is a true stainless steel with high corrosion resistance. High chromium also helps create extremely hard and durable chromium carbides adding to the wear resistance and overall strength and stability of the steel alloy. The third and most transformational element is molybdenum. ATS-34 has 4% molybdenum, providing a high concentration of molybdenum carbide particles, which are extremely wear-resistant and contribute tremendously to toughness. Molybdenum is a very important carbide-former, and it helps precipitate carbides at critical dislocation and grain boundary areas of the crystalline structure, stabilizing the structure against fracture, toughening it. Toughness is resistance to breakage, and since this is dramatically increased in this high molybdenum steel, it allows a very thin cutting edge and blade geometry with high strength. This means a thinner, sharper, and extremely tough, corrosion-resistant blade is possible with this steel.
  • Heat Treatment: This Skeg has my T4 heat treatment, yielding an astounding blade in incredible condition through advanced processing protocols. How advanced is this treatment? It's a multi-stage cryogenic treatment, involving temperatures ranging in over 2000°F (1090°C) to -320°F (-196°C). The process is an evolution of my advanced heat treating processes, and consists of 33 dedicated and specific steps and takes 172 hours! This means that just to heat treat this blade takes over a week! The reason for this is scientific and critical, but yields the most stable, most wear-resistant, most durable and long-lived structure of this steel, profuse with fine multi-element carbides and a uniform and unbelievably robust structure. This is a testament to my determination to make the very best knives, steels, treatments and kits in the modern world. I know of no one else who has advanced the treatment to this level; it's unheard of in the metals and knifemaking field.  Want to know more about the heat treating designation?
  • Blade Design and Geometry: The Skeg is a double-edged tanto design, painstakingly ground with a differential grind. This means that the hollow grinds in the blade have two different and complimentary geometric curves. The main straight cutting edge has a deeper, thinner grind for increased longevity. The top grind with the serrations has a shorter, thicker grind so that the four inches of my hammerhead serrations are extremely tough and difficult to break. Both grinds meet at an extremely well-supported point. The point geometry is enhanced by the tanto secondary grind, the short cutting edge length in front of the dividing line (yokote) which creates a tougher, wide-angled point for bearing down while cutting difficult materials. The blade has a very thick center spine for support and the entire blade is sharpened with a single bevel cutting edge, making it razor-keen throughout. This is a serious working grind and profile, one of the toughest overall grinds I make in a knife this size.
  • Blade Finish: The blade and bolsters (and all of the accessories) are in my "Shadow" line of counterterrorism and tactical knife finishes. Answering the request for completely subdued and non-reflective surfaces, I developed the Shadow Line with my Ghost Slate finish. This means darkening in a permanent fashion not only the stainless steel of the knife, blade, handle, and fittings, but all of the gear in the entire kit: the fasteners, the sheath parts, aluminum mounts, accessories and entire package. Read more about my Shadow Line and Ghost Slate finish on my Counterterrorism Knives page at this bookmark.
  • This is an extreme use, high wear resistance, highly tough, and extremely keen stainless steel blade with advanced heat treatment.
  • Bolsters: I bolstered the Skeg with my signature zero-care, high nickel, high chromium 304 austenitic stainless steel bolsters, contoured and rounded for comfort of the hands, and shaped and radiused in the front face for easy cleaning. The bolsters are attached with multiple through-tang pins of 304 stainless steel, and the mounting is permanent, as well as extremely corrosion resistant. This is the same steel used for stainless steel nuts, bolts, and fasteners, and the bolsters are heavy, thick, and solid, giving great balance to the knife. The rear bolster has a large chamfered 5/16" (8 mm) through-tang lanyard hole for added security when working elevated or over water or in a debris field. The bolsters are dovetailed to create a solid, seamless union with the handle material. The front bolster is sculpted and extends over the finger ring, providing a wide surface area for the thumb to bear down, and volume of grip with the front of the hand. The bolsters are treated in my "Ghost Slate" shadow line for reduced glare and match the rest of the knife and gear.
  • Handle: The scales for this knife are zero-care black and gray G10 fiberglass/epoxy laminate composite, and they are secured with two 1/8" through-tang 304 stainless steel pins. They are bedded to the tang and locked under the bolster dovetails. This is an extremely tough advanced technology material, durable, with a toothy textured surface that grips the hand and requires no maintenance. The shape of the handle is unique, and features some advanced concepts. The forward finger ring has evolved from my numerous counterterrorism knives I've made for years; it provides excellent grip security and protection for the guiding finger of the hand. The ring is rounded, smoothed, contoured, and finished. Above the finger ring is a thumb indentation. This could be called a "humpback" handle, but that doesn't really apply since the handle does not rise into a peak before or after the curve. I prefer to call this new design a "thumb drive." This indentation saves space normally required by a thumb rise which would add to the bulk and size of the handle of smaller knives. The thumb drive is bolstered, contoured, rounded and smoothed and this allows tremendous pressure to be applied to the spine of the knife as well as a great deal of physical control of the cutting edge, via the thumb placement in a forward grip. In reverse grip, the thumb drive indentation accommodates the fleshy heel of the palm of the hand. The Skeg has three tight finger grooves for improved grip, and the handle is short enough to completely disappear in a large hand. The tang is fully tapered but left supportive at the butt, and I've included a light alternating filework design for handmade distinction. One more thing: the finger ring is not a round circle! In an effort to keep this handle very compact, the finger ring is shaped more like the human finger cross-section in a tight grip; it's an ellipse, or an oval!
  • Balance and Feel: The unique handle shape, balance, thickness, and stout design of this knife makes it an incredible working tool. The knife has the meat to be weighty and aggressive, yet it's compact and reasonable working with the rest of the kit. The best way to describe this is like a real skeg: it will cut through the deep and be strong enough to weather a storm. That might be a bit prosaic, but this is a very serious, super-tough, keen cutter with a lot of great features. It feels fantastic in the hand, the blade light and strong.
More photos below!

Included:

The Sheaths

This knife has two sheaths, one in heavy leather, one in tactical combat, tab-locking.


1. The Leather Sheath
  • Weight: 7.1 oz. (201 grams)
  • Materials: Heavy 10 oz. thick leather shoulder, stainless steel reinforcement screws, hand-stamped, black lacquered, nylon stitching
  • Storage: double-layered embroidered drawstring bag in cotton duck canvas, polyester
  • Description: Leather Sheath: I've included a heavy, tough, and solid leather sheath for the Skeg in 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, hand-stamped and tooled. The leather is shoulder, from mature cows, and is twice as thick as most other knifemakers use. I tooled a hand-stamped traditional black basketweave design and the sheath is tooled in the front, back and even in the belt loop. The mouth of the sheath is deep, protecting the owner from the blade, but it allows enough of the handle accessible for quick unsheathing. The sheath has a high back, to protect the wearer, and the orientation is right side, edge-back. There is a large belt loop, triple-row stitched with heavy nylon for strength and moisture and rot resistance. The entire sheath body, front, back, and welts are double-row stitched for extreme durability. The mouth of the sheath has stainless steel screws that take all of the stress and protect the sheath stitches from stretching over time. The sheath is dyed black throughout, with buffed edges in a water-resistant lacquer finish. Leather is irreplaceable in extremely cold or hot environments, and where absolute silence is needed in tactical operations with no clicking when in contact against objects, people, or gear. The leather sheath is also great for a "non-tactical" outdoors look in a more casual setting when a knife simply needs to be a tool.
More about the Leather Knife Sheaths

2. The Hybrid Tension Tab-Lock Tactical Sheath
  • Weight: 7.9 oz. (224 grams)
  • Materials: Hybrid Tension Tab-Locking in black double-thickness Kydex, black anodized 5053 H32 corrosion-resistant high strength aluminum alloy, blackened 304 austenitic stainless steel, anodized 6AL4V titanium.
  • Description: This sheath is one of my hybrid tension tab-locking models, originally designed for counterterrorism use. This is my proprietary design, the very best possible sheath of its type available in the world today. Actually, it is the ONLY type of this sheath available in the world today!
  • Spring Retention Release Pressures: Three included titanium springs for user selection of retention force; approximately 3 lbs., 8 lbs., and 15 lbs. force.
Get all of the details about this Hybrid Tension Tab-Locking Sheath at this link.
More photos below!

Included:

Accessories: Belt Loops, Plates, Straps, Clamps

This kit contains my standard belt loop and mounting package.

  • Standard Belt Loops: accommodates 0.190" thick by 1.5" belt, black anodized 5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil thickness
  • Medium Profile Belt Loops: accommodates 0.250" thick by 1.5" belt, black anodized 5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil thickness
  • High Profile Belt Loops: accommodates .250" thick by 1.5" belt, black anodized 5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil thickness
  • Vertical Flat Mounting Straps: accommodates up to 2.0" wide belt, web, strapping, or gear, clamps rigidly and vertically 90 degrees to the long axis of the sheath, black anodized 5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil thickness
  • Horizontal Flat Mounting Straps: accommodates 1" to 3" wide belt, web, strapping, or gear, clamps rigidly and horizontally (in line with the long axis of the sheath), black anodized 5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil thickness
  • Horizontal Belt Loop Plates: allows wear with the long axis of the sheath in line with standard belt, without rigid clamping, accommodates .250" thick by 1.5" belt, welded black anodized 5052H32 high strength corrosion resistant aluminum alloy, anodized black at 1 mil thickness
Get all the details about the Belt Loops, Plates, Straps, Clamps, and Fasteners at this link

Included:

Belt Loop Extenders (2)

  • Ultimate Belt Loop Extender (UBLX): allows wearing with locking sheath and knife handle just below the belt line, with DMT folding pocket diamond abrasive sharpener, in black polypropylene, polyester, black acetyl buckles. DMT diamond sharpener.
  • Extended Length Belt Loop Extender (EXBLX): allows wearing with locking sheath and knife sheath below the belt line, sheath tail just above knee, with 2" wide leg strap, in black polypropylene, polyester, blackened stainless steel, acetyl buckles.
Get all the details about the UBLX and the EXBLX mounting, fasteners, and use at this link
More photos below!

Included:

HULA (Holder, Universal, Lamp, Articulating

  • HULA with Powertac M5 Generation 3, 2030 lumen rechargeable programmable flashlight: provides a primary, fully adjustable flashlight in removable holder, with a frame that can be aimed and locked in any direction, mounted on the sheath body no matter where the knife is worn. This is the very best, most durable flashlight holder made in the world today.
Get all the details about the HULA: mounting, fasteners, materials, and use at this link

Included:

LIMA (Lamp, Independent Mounting Assembly

  • Lamp Independent Mount Assembly (LIMA): Backup, emergency, safety LED programmable flashlight and independent web frame and mount, in polypropylene stitched with high strength polyester, anodized 5052 high strength corrosion resistant black anodized aluminum mounting bar, 304 stainless steel ring retainers, nylon elastic shock cord, with OLIGHT I1R 2 Pro Eos 180 Lumen rechargeable flashlight.
Get all the details about the LIMA: mounting, fasteners, materials, and use at this link

Included:

Sternum Harness Plus

  • Sternum Harness Plus: allows wearing of locking sheath upside down across sternum, handle down, in black polypropylene, polyester, acetyl buckles
Get the details about the Sternum Harness Plus: mounting, materials, and use at this link
More photos below!

Included:

Diamond Abrasive Sharpener, Lanyards

  • Diamond Sharpener with Pad/Sheath: Diamond abrasive sharpening stone, 2" x 6", double-sided (400G/600G), nickel bonded diamond abrasives over phenolic core, heavy nylon sheath to store and protect other gear from diamond abrasives; sheath doubles as work pad so diamond does not scratch surfaces, stitched with polyester, hook and loop closure
  • Lanyard: 550 Nylon Kernmantle Rope (Paracord) sliding noose lanyard, flashlight lanyard
Get the details about the sharpener, pad/sheath and lanyards at this link

Included:

Duffle, Storage

  • Duffle Bag: 1000 denier Cordura® ballistic nylon, waterproof polyurethane coated, interior lined with heavy polyester felt. Nylon, polyester, polypropylene sling loop rubber handles, embroidered patch, removable embroidered name patch with hook and loop
  • Storage bags and tins for hardware, leather sheath, HULA assembly
Get the details about the duffles, bags and storage at this link

Purchase:

Status: Available. Contact me at jayfisher@jayfisher.com to purchase this professional knife kit

Price: $4,995.00



To see many more options for mounting, wear, and rigging, please visit these pages and look over their detailed photo sets. I've assembled and mounted the knives and kit accessories in a variety of ways, and most of the various arrangements are applicable to this knife as well.


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Funny Letters and Emails, Pg. 1 Blades and Steels Sharpeners, Lanyards Knife Embellishment     
Funny Letters and Emails, Pg. 2 Blades Bags, Cases, Duffles, Gear    
Funny Letters and Emails, Pg. 3 Knife Blade Testing Modular Sheath Systems  
Funny Letters and Emails, Pg. 4 440C: A Love/Hate Affair PSD Principle Security Detail Sheaths      
Funny Letters and Emails, Pg. 5 ATS-34: Chrome/Moly Tough
Funny Letters and Emails, Pg. 6 D2: Wear Resistance King        
The Curious Case of the "Sandia" O1: Oil Hardened Blued Beauty        
The Sword, the Veil, the Legend Elasticity, Stiffness, Stress,
and Strain in Knife Blades
   
Professional Knife Consultant Heat Treating and
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