Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives

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"Vindicator" push dagger, obverse side view in CPM154CM powder metal technology tool steel blade, 304 stainless steel bolsters, Afghanistan Lapis Lazuli gemstone handle, hand-carved leather sheath inlaid with Elephant skin
"Vindicator" with Lapis Lazuli Gemstone handle

Accessory: Tactical Knife Sheath LIMA
"Lamp Independent Mount Assembly"

“Better to have, and not need, than to need, and not have.”

--Franz Kafka
Writer, 1883-1924



Introduction and Description: The LIMA

Many years ago, I was approached by a tactical officer that had an unusual and difficult job. He was charged with keeping watch over and confronting and eliminating the threat of grave robbers and pot hunters, thieves that were robbing ancient Central American sites of their treasure. The crimes against archaeology, against the history and anthropological wealth of a nation's ancestors, is an extremely dangerous and severe crime. His company, in an official capacity, watched over these ancient ruins to protect them from thieves and vandals. It's important to understand that the value of these treasures can be astronomical, and his was a tremendously hazardous and necessary occupation.

Since he did a lot of his surveillance at night, good flashlights were important, and he had the best he could carry for the situation and location. But, on more than one occasion, his main or "key" lamp had been damaged, had drained its battery, or had been made non-functional.

He asked if I could include an additional, smaller "emergency" lamp on his knife kit, one that wouldn't be too much effort to carry around, one that would at the very least, allow him to make it safely back to base and camp. This was the birth of the LIMA.

The acronym LIMA stands for "Lamp Independent Mount Assembly," and, like all of my tactical sheath components, it's my own invention. It's an extremely lightweight adjunct that can be used when your key light fails, or in the daytime when you aren't carrying your main flashlight, and need to look into a dark hole or enter an unlighted place. It is so innocuous that it's often forgotten on the sheath, but in critical times is immediately available. It is so tremendously popular that it's been demanded on all of my counterterrorism knife kits, because of the saying, "two flashlights are one flashlight, and one flashlight is no flashlights." If you are an active, outdoor person, you know exactly what I'm writing about, since being a mechanical and electrical device, failure will, sooner or later, visit you in the wilderness, and at the very worst time.

For the reader, the reasons for a small lamp on the tactical sheath are numerous, but experience is the best reference. When have you been out in the middle of the day, and needed to peek into a downed log, a small cave, a ruin, well, or dark hole? Have you been caught far away from camp without a lamp and the daylight is fading fast? Have you needed just enough light to see your way over rocks and rough terrain, but not a blinding flood lamp that can alert others and mark you as a target? Maybe you just needed to see your way around an obstacle, through some brush, or needed to read a map or compass. Maybe you needed to catch someone's attention, see your way to reload or re-chamber a misfire, or clean and service your critical outdoor equipment in the middle of an excursion. Maybe you have a small injury and want to see just what's going on. Or maybe you want a small spotlight that can illuminate nearby eyes that may be looking back at you. This is the philosophy of this small light. It's not your main camp beacon, it's simply a lightweight, useful adjunct that can get you through difficulties. It can also act as a backup when your main light fails.

The LIMA is always there, on your sheath or on certain accessories (UBLX), ready, quietly waiting and hardly noticeable. I wouldn't consider a tactical knife sheath complete without one.

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Please click on thumbnails
Black and Coyote LIMA Accessories
LIMA in black and coyote
"Anzu" tactical knife sheath with LIMA
"Anzu" Sheath with LIMA
"Arcturus" with LIMA in coyote
"Arcturus" with LIMA in Coyote
"Shahal" with LIMA
"Shahal" with LIMA
"Kortath" counterterrorism knife with LIMA
"Korath" with coyote LIMA
LIMA accessory with Olite flashlight on hybrid tension tab lock tactical sheath with UBLX
"Skeg" with LIMA with OLITE Flashlight

Jay Fisher's tactical knife sheath accessories, the LIMA (Lamp Independent Mount Assembly)
The LIMA (Lamp Independent Mount Assembly) with the ThruNite Ti3 Programmable Flashlight

The Flashlight
History and Evolution of the LIMA's Lamp

At the time I made the first LIMA, the best flashlight (or torch for my friends across the pond) was the Maglite Solitaire®. The Solitaire was (and still is in some cases) a single AAA-battery powered xenon-lamp bulb anodized aluminum flashlight that was called a "keychain" light, and at the time was the best for the application. I came up with a mounting system that frankly, has not changed much in many, many years.

The Maglite Solitaire is called a Keychain/Backpack light, but it was tough and up to the job. I didn't want to add a heavy or bulky main beacon to the package, but an accessory that was light and small, yet durably built. Including the special fittings, this light accessory weighs about one ounce. It is about 3.25" long, and less than one half of an inch in diameter. On a knife sheath rig that may weigh several pounds (for a large tactical knife size), this is hardly noticeable.

I wanted a light that was tough, made of durable materials, and one that has a proven reputation of reliability. Maglite® makes their flashlights from machined aluminum, with O-ring seals and nickel plated conductors. There are no miniature switches in the Solitaire, and simply twisting the lens cap focuses the beam from spot to flood, just like the big Maglites. They included a spare bulb in the base of the xenon models, and the simple fluted knurling on the anodized black surface was fairly easy to grip when the lamp is wet or muddy. At that time, this was the best light for the application. But then, things improved.

Modern LED Technology

Along came LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology. LEDs are far and away better than all filament bulbs. They don't wear out, they are mechanically stronger, they are extremely efficient, and they are getting better all the time. In the early days of LEDs, I even upgraded individual Maglite Solitaires to LED bulbs, since Maglite didn't make them. Then, Maglite caught on and started making LED Solitaires. Most of my pre-2018 LIMAs have LED bulbs.

The Solitaire is a pretty good light. But all good things must come to an end, and be upgraded. This is why I've moved on to the next level, and the reasons are pretty surprising.

Flashlight technology is drastically improving. LEDs are intensifying, drawing less current, and readily accept programming and variable intensity and other options. This is why my newer LIMAs (starting in 2018) are sported ThruNIte Ti3 models.

Then, they quit making the ThruNite Ti3. You can still see some of the older customers begging ThruNite to bring them back, but alas, we have to work with what we can get. So, an improvement was necessary, and that brings me to the Olite I1R 2 Pro. The nicest thing about this Olite is that it's almost half the size of the ThruNite, and is rechargeable. In the early days, rechargeable meant that a light was unusable, but since everything is going to USB-C, power options are much more available.

The comparison chart below will give you a clear idea of reason for the upgrade to the ThruNIte Ti3:

Feature, ANSI, NEMA FL-1 Standard Maglite LED Solitaire® ThruNite Ti3® Olite I1R 2 Pro
Battery 1-AAA 1-AAA Rechargeable
To Operate/Lumens Twist head to on/37 Lumens, non-adjustable Twist head once to Firefly Mode/0.04 Lumens
Twist head twice to Low Mode/ 12 Lumens
Twist head three times to High Mode/120 Lumens
Twist head through two cycles to Strobe Mode/120 Lumens
5 Lumens Twist On
180 Lumens Twist More
Run Time 1 hour, 45 minutes, non-adjustable Firefly Mode: 115 hours
Low Mode: 6.3 hours
High Mode: 0.5 hours
Strobe Mode (High): 1 hour
Low: 12 hours
High: 23 minutes
Peak Beam Intensity 748 Candelas 625 Candelas N/A
Beam Distance 55 Meters (180 feet) 50 Meters (164 feet) 48 Meters (157 feet)
Impact Resistance 1 meter 1.2 Meters 1.5 Meters
Water Resistance Water resistant to 1 meter for 30 minutes, IPX-7 Water resistant to full and continual immersion, IPX-8 Water resistant to full and continual immersion, IPX-8
Aluminum Coating Anodized Type III, Hard-anodized Type III, Hard-anodized
Lens material Polycarbonate Glass TIR Optic

 The Maglite was and is a decent flashlight, but the ThruNite Ti3 is much, much better. It has more variability to set the custom light output, it is incredibly intense when needed, it's more waterproof, it has a glass lens that's less likely to scratch and fog than plastic, and it's just a tougher, better lamp. The only thing it lacks is a focusable lens which is not necessary on all but the larger lamps. A surprising feature is the strobe; in an emergency, at 120 lumens flashing, this little light my very well save your life!

But since they don't make the Ti3 anymore, the Olite is the new player. First, no more buying or carrying extra batteries; it's rechargeable. The light from this little thing is intense, and the low level light is reasonable. Yes, it's a more expensive light, but worthy.

Oh, and if I forgot to mention, the ThruNite Ti3 is physically smaller and about half the weight!

And on top of that, the Olite is half the size and much lower weight than the ThruNite!

So this lets me make even a smaller, lighter LIMA holder accessory, and lightens the load on my clients wearing the sheath.

It's too bad that Maglite hasn't kept up with the market and features on these smaller, critical lamps. It would be nice if American companies could keep up; I certainly make it my goal to offer the most advanced knives money can buy. But when it comes to the accessories, I'm dedicated to offering adjuncts that work with the best option for my clients. It's about solving my client's problems, and offering the very best I can find for the individual application, since in combat, rescue, and survival, the flashlight could literally mean life or death.

One thing I will guarantee, and that is when you see the output of this tiny Olite, you will be very impressed!

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Please click on thumbnails
Jay Fisher's tactical knife sheath accessories, LIMA flashlight comparison
ThruNite Ti3 and Maglite Solitaire
"Kairos" counterterrorism knives with LIMA
"Kairos" with LIMA mount
"Arctica" with LIMA mounted, silver Solitaire
"Arctica" with Silver Solitaire in LIMA
"Kneph" with rear mounted LIMA
"Kneph" with back-mounted LIMA
Jay Fisher's tactical knife sheath accessory LIMA with ThruNite Ti3 lamp
ThruNite Ti3 is a 120 Lumen Lamp
LIMA with Olite Flashlight Details
LIMA with Olite Flashlight
LIMA with Olite Flashlight Details
Olite I1R2 on Low Beam 5 Lumens
LIMA with Olite Flashlight Details
Olite I1R2 on High Beam 180 Lumens
LIMA with Olite Flashlight Details
Olite I1R2 Charging Port
LIMA with Olite Flashlight Details
Olite I1R2 on USB Charge Cord

"Celeri" tactical counterterrorism knife with ThruNite Ti3 and LIMA
The "Celeri" counterterrorism knife with LIMA front face mount and ThruNite Ti3 flashlight

The LIMA Parts

I wanted a minimum of pieces to mount the LIMA, but I wanted it strong. I also wanted it to yield a bit when brushing against objects, and I wanted it to be able to be mounted just about anywhere on the tactical knife sheath.

  • Mounting: in order to mount the LIMA in a variety of places on the sheath, I use the mounting bar with the standard sheath 2.5" bolt spacing pattern. The early versions have a bar that is made of drilled and milled 304 high chromium, high nickel stainless steel, impervious to everything it's exposed to. In essence, it's zero-care. The later models feature a lighter weight anodized aluminum mounting bar, since there is little stress from the weight and size of the LIMA. The mounting bar is a simple strap, and it accommodates the Chicago screw female (or tube) as well as all of the other fastener hardware on the sheath. If made in stainless steel, I've media-blasted it for non-reflection, and is often darkened with my "ghost-slate" process or has an oxide patina to match the coyote camouflage gear. It's milled to reduce the weight. The aluminum bars are not milled, but are made in anodized 5052 H32 high strength, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy.
  • Holder: To hold the flashlight to the mount frame, I use nylon, polyester, or polyethylene webbing, in loops that are heavily stitched. This allows a softer protection of the lamp and the knife user, and it allows some flexibility in case the LIMA catches on objects or brush. Since it's low-profile and softer, it can allow the LIMA to be mounted between the sheath and the wearer's body, and it's extremely lightweight.
  • Lamp Retention: All of these smaller flashlights have an eye for mounting to a small ring, usually machined into the butt of the flashlight. I mount a double ring of 304 stainless steel through the hole, and through it is strung a short bungee cord (or occy cord or elastic cord depending on your country of language). The other end of the cord is strung through a double-ringed eye that can be pulled over the bulb end of the lamp. Once the lamp is put into the webbing ring, the ring is pulled over the lens end of the lamp and it's there to stay. The stainless steel rings are blasted and/or matched in oxide or darkening finish to match the gear. It's simple, it's light, it is easy to replace the cord when it becomes worn. And the cord and ring can double for a finger-mount for the lamps to keep your hands free. This is my own invention as well.

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Jay Fisher's tactical knife sheath accessories: LIMA mounting bars of 304 stainless steel
Sheath LIMA mounting bars
Knife sheath accessories: LIMA mounting bars showing Chicago screw insertion
Chicago Screw placement
Jay Fisher's tactical knife sheath accessories: Parts of the LIMA
Parts of the LIMA
Jay Fisher's tactical knife sheath accessories: LIMA, complete
Complete LIMA

Finger Holder LIMA Flashlight

"PJLT" sheathed view in 440C high chromium stainless steel blade, 304 stainless steel bolsters, coyote/black G10 fiberglass/epoxy composite laminate handle, locking kydex, aluminum, stainless steel sheath
"PJLT" Tactical Knife with Coyote LIMA

Mounting the LIMA to the Sheath

The LIMA can be mounted anywhere on the sheath that has the 2.5" bolt spacing pattern. It can be mounted in front of the sheath, or in the back of the sheath. It can be mounted with the web inward, (inboard) and the flashlight over the sheath (for a reduced footprint) or it can be mounted with the lamp protruding outward (outboard), away from the welts, in the front or back. Some clients find it easier to access the LIMA when it is outwardly (outboard) mounted, some like the more compact arrangement of the LIMA atop the sheath face or front (inboard). Some like it in back, out of sight, away from anything they might bump into with their sheath.

With the assortment of machine screws and fasteners I include with the kits, the client is assured of a large number of mounting options. The lamp can even be mounted with lens-up or lens-down. Some clients like the lens up because they can see if they have mistakenly left the flashlight turned on, and others like it lens-down so that debris will be less likely to cloud the lens. It's up to the user.

The LIMA can even be mounted on the back side, over the top of the belt loops, if the wearing allows it in the client's arrangement. This can allow wearing of web that traps the knife sheath (over the top of the sheath instead of the sheath on top of the web). If there is enough room, the LIMA can even be worn completely hidden in the back of the sheath. If mounted over the belt loops, the web presses down on the aluminum belt loop, holding it in place, and the included button head cap screws hold the entire assembly together. There is also the option of an offset mounting, where one end of the LIMA mount frame is on top of the belt loop and the other end is screwed through an open sheath hole.

The only thing to remember is that there must be a 2.5" spacing between the sheath holes. If the spacing is not there, or is not 2.5", the screws can't be forced; they will cross-thread and be ruined! Every sheath is different, since every knife is a different size, but this photo set below should give you a good idea of the mounting potential of the LIMA.

The only place that the LIMA absolutely can't be mounted, even if there is the 2.5" spacing, is over the dogleg spring of my hybrid tension-lock sheath, since it would interfere with the spring movement. On the positively locking sheath, there is no such limitation.

Like all of the accessories, don't use the force of Thor's Hammer to tighten the machine screws when mounting the LIMA. A snug fit will be enough, the screws won't fall or vibrate out easily. Over-tightening will just deform an aluminum strap. If you over-tighten one of the stainless steel LIMA straps, you may snap off a machine screw! Not necessary; snug is good.

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"LIMA" flashlight accessory mounted to knife sheath face
Sheath Front Mounting
Tactical knife sheath LIMA mounted to side
Side Mounting, Front, Lens Up
"LIMA" tactical flashlight for knife sheath, side mount
Side Mounting, Front, Lens Down
Tactical knife sheath accessory LIMA, mounting option, sheath back
Sheath back, inline with belt loop
LIMA tactical flashlight sheath mounting back detail
Back mount detail over belt loop
LIMA tactical knife sheath accessory mounting option view
Back mount over belt loop detail
LIMA mounting detail, back mount, center alignment
Over belt loop, behind sheath
LIMA flashlight holder back mount detail over belt loop
Back mount over belt loop behind sheath
LIMA mounting on sheath back, offset in available 2.5" hole spacing
Back mount, offset
LIMA flashlight accessory, offset back mounting detail
Back side offset mounting details

LIMA mounted (with HULA) on counterterrorism knife below dogleg spring of hybrid tension tab-lock sheath
LIMA mount accommodates HULA and dogleg spring of hybrid tension tab-lock counterterrorism knife sheath of this "Ari B'Lilah"

Using the LIMA and Flashlight

The flashlight is removed from the web frame by simply pulling off the ring that is retained by the shock cord (bungee). Each lamp type operates differently, but generally, they work by twisting the head of the lamp, or twisting it multiple times.

The neat thing is the lamp can be turned on while in the web frame and still mounted on the knife sheath, so on hikes or working around camp, the lowest setting can give a little illumination while still on the sheath and body. Some clients also like this for night hikes and location identification.

Off the body, the LIMA—on low—can help to locate the knife and sheath if it's laying around camp. Since on the lowest setting the battery will last many hours, leaving the lamp on for an hour or two on the Firefly setting won't cost too much juice.

Out of the web frame, the elastic bungee and ring retainer also has some use. Since the flashlight is so small, the bungee can be looped around the finger like a ring, and the lamp can illuminate tasks while mounted to the finger, in a "hand's-free" type of arrangement. The bungee can also be used to mount the small light to any small rod or tube shape, like a branch, a tent pole, or tactical gear.

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Jay Fisher's LIMA flashlight assembly complete
Flashlight mounted to web frame
Jay Fisher's LIMA accessory, removing retention ring
Removing retention ring
Jay Fisher's LIMA tactical sheath accessory LIMA
Flashlight removed from web ring
Tactical sheath accessories, LIMA flashlight
Flashlight retainer has multiple uses
LIMA with OliteI1R2 Pro rechargeable flashlight on PJLT CSAR sheath
Coyote rig with tiny Olite in LIMA
Tiny but powerful flashlight adds almost no weight to gear
Rechargeable, Powerful, Lightweight

Jay Fisher's tactical knife sheath accessories, the LIMA with ThruNite Ti3 Lamp
LIMA mounted on face of this "Celeri" tactical knife

 Maintenance and Care

Like most of my accessories, there is very little care whatever for this device. The metal parts are care-free, and the webbing and stitching is waterproof and almost indestructible. If the web gets muddy, hose it off.

The only part that will eventually wear is the shock cord, which is easily replaced. With this type of cord, you'll see the white interior strands when it's time to replace it. It's common 1/8" diameter elastic cord, found in every hardware store and plentifully online. It's good to always have some of it around anyway, since it's very handy for loads, packs, and gear. Just to keep you going, I've included an extra length for replacement when needed.

The flashlight has its own life, operation, and sequence. Included is the paperwork for the lights; they are well made and durable. Once you have it on your gear, you'll wonder why you never had it before!

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Coyote brown LIMA mounted to positively locking tactical knife sheath Version 1.0, mounted on sheath front
Sheath front mount of LIMA creates compact arrangement on this "PJLT"



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