Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives
New to the website? Start Here
"Vindicator" with Lapis Lazuli Gemstone handle
Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives |
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New to the website? Start Here |
"Vindicator" with Lapis Lazuli Gemstone handle |
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My knives and knife making career have been featured in different publications and articles over the decades, and as new articles come up, I'll try to list them on this page. Public exposure in magazines, publications, and articles helps to establish the long view of a knife maker's career, his endurance, his exposure, and his esteem. This may be critical mainly to his knife investors. A copy of this printed material may be a worthwhile accompaniment to each art piece in the collection. It's also important to verify the maker's longevity (by the age of the printed articles), his recognitions, and his direction.
The inclusion of these sources on articles and publications about my work and career as an artist do not represent any endorsement or validation of the sources themselves. I have not requested, paid for, or commissioned these reviews, publications, and articles in any way. I have no direct, business, or professional association with any of these sources.
Once in while I get asked why my work has not been more often featured in the popular magazines. I have had several mentions and photos published in them, but not often. I believe it is because I don't advertise there, seek publication or attention there, and am simply not part of that scene. My scene is the internet and this web site, and has been for over 20 years. Most magazines are hurting because of the change to the net, and I do believe that this is where the future resides.
Since the internet is the future of businesses and artistic endeavors like mine, should I list the many articles, locations, and links where my work can be found on the internet? Though I've featured a few here, I'm not doing this in great detail because you who are reading this have access to the greatest part of the World Wide Web there is, and that is search engines. You can plug my name and the word knives into any search engine and come across dozens of articles, features, mentions, and comments about my work and career.
For each link and location that search engines suggest, please evaluate them carefully. There is a lot of misinformation there, some outright lies about my work, and even a few scams using my name and knives. This happens to everyone who has created a meaningful presence in their trade, craft, and art, and I'm no different. For detailed information about these negative references, please take a look at my Business of Knifemaking page where they are detailed for the truth.
Overall, my career in knifemaking has been more than I imagined; I'm honored by those who appreciate, value, use, and collect my knives, and by all those who support me by reading this web site.
An established knife maker works continually on these three public E's: endurance, exposure, and esteem.
One of the earliest featured articles of my work was done by Roger Combs back in 1992. He did a two page article on me titled "Jay Fisher Knives - Built To Last." This was written when I lived in Farmington, New Mexico, along with several other well-known makers of the time. Roger had interviewed me at the California Knife Collector's Club show in Pasadena, one of the best annual shows I ever attended. He used much information from my brochure of the time, and inserted four photos of my knives: Willow Bird and Trout knives, a Desert Storm Commemorative, a New Orleans dagger, and a Bowie. It's interesting to note that I had been making knives for over ten years before anyone noticed... this is why one old maker told me that I'd have to be making a decade before anyone took me seriously! Below are three of the four photos that were in the article.
The earliest printing of photos of my knives in the Knives Annual was in 1992. That is when I started submitting photographs to this annual knife publication. Back then, it was edited by Ken Warner. You can probably pick up any Knives Annual from 1992 to the present and find a couple photos of my knives, as I submit every year.
Some call this device a vanity publication, as the photos are submitted by knife makers for their own benefit of publicity. This may be true, but not all photos get published.
It was interesting to me that the first photo of one of my knives they published was of my Daysailor sailing knife with marlinspike, a knife I rarely make, and not one typical of my style or type of work. It was clear over the years that they liked to publish selections of my knives that were not the norm, and some of my unusual works seemed to make it there.
I won't include thumbnail photos of all the knives featured over the years in the knives annual; there are too many to include here.
Bud Lang, the editor of Knives Illustrated magazine, approached me at a knife show and asked about my gemstone handled knives. He requested information about stone handled knives, and I gave him a good deal of info. He used the info in the article, detailing my use of gemstone in knife handles, and calling me one of the most prolific makers of gemstone handled knives. He quoted me quite a bit, and included works by some of my contemporaries at the time, friends like Norm Levine.
It's interesting to me that this is one of the most detailed articles I've ever read in any knife magazine about gemstone knife handles and their use, and their value and place in the world of knives. It was written over 25 years ago. To guys who say gem handles have not been around in modern times, this is proof of that misconception.
The two knives featured in this article are my Altar of Atlantis and Pacifica. Also included were photos of some of my equipment: a trim saw, small diamond and silicon carbide grinding bits, my 20 inch lap, and my 18 inch diamond slabbing saw
The first New Mexico Magazine article that I was featured in, along with other area artists, was about Magdalena, New Mexico. The article's slant was to show how local artists could revitalize the local community by their presence. The article had a good picture of me holding the Firewind Wakisashi, mentioned my more famous clients, and called me an "internationally recognized master knife craftsman."
Published in a post-conference update, this picture
holding a Rapier/Parrying dagger custom combination. Some accompanying
text:
"Leaving the hotel, a surprise visit to Magdalena's
Sharp Instinct Studio introduced conferees to Jay Fisher - Knife
maker, photographer, and writer. Fisher displayed and discussed his
varied works..."
It's always nice to visit with fellow writer's, photographers, and artists. In the photo, I'm holding the recently completed Warrior's Quill, a rapier and parrying dagger.
New Mexico Magazine has featured me before (see above). This was a short article titled "High Plains Art; Clovis, Portales A Cut Above" about the artists in the high plains eastern area of our state, and in the article I am listed as the area's most famous artist. The magazine included one picture, and misnamed me in the photo caption as "Jack Fisher." The picture that they used is of my Alamo Bowie which has little to do with New Mexico, but its selection is typical for editors and writers, because when they think of western knives, they typically think of the stereotypical bowie knife. They had also reversed the image so the reverse side appears as the obverse...
The February issue of Blade Magazine feature a black and white picture of my face and one of my Raptor kerambits in their Knifemaker Showcase. The Raptor Kerambit pictured in color and clear rendition are linked in the thumbnail photo below.
Though I don't typically list internet publications, this site featured a substantial article by Joe Clements on my career, knives, and history, with several pictures.
Featured in the Autumn 2006 Issue of Persimmon Hill, the magazine for the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Johnny D. Boggs, the award-winning western writer and author honored me with a visit to my studio in 2005, and interviewed me for an article for Persimmon Hill, the fine art publication of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. By the time he left, I'd probably overwhelmed him with knife facts, details, and history, but he was able to package the information in an interesting, five page article about me and my work, with 14 beautiful glossy printed photos. Persimmon Hill is a beautiful quarterly glossy magazine with fascinating features about the west, and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is a must-see in the heart of the west, Oklahoma City. I'm proud to be honored by such a publication, resource, and affiliation. Learn more about Johnny and his writing accomplishments on his website here. You can learn more about the Museum at their website here: The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
The response to this article was great. If you are a previous or current knife client, you need to get a copy of this magazine for your investment, and keep it with your Jay Fisher knife paperwork. If you're lucky enough to have purchased one of these knives, your knife is now featured in an outstanding art publication and article, and you need to get a copy to keep with your knife! If you want a copy, or are interested in my work, or have a Jay Fisher knife and want to add interesting documentation to your investment, you may be able to purchase a copy at the museum website. Be sure to ask for the Autumn 2006 issue.
Listed on page 19 of the 2007 Best of the West Source book published by True West Magazine, I was honored to be listed as the Best Living Knifemaker.
From the sourcebook: "Many fine knifemakers exist in the world. Some Excel at making weapons, others at creating art. At his Sharp Instinct Studio in Clovis, New Mexico, Jay Fisher does both. In the blade business since 1988, Fisher makes knives, many featuring gemstone handles, for collectors, museums and people who really know how to use 'em (101st Airborne, Special Forces, USAF Pararescue)."
If you own one of my knives, or you plan to get one, you need a copy of this important reference and resource for your collection. Go to their website to order one .
In the Blade-Damask Magazine from Russia, dedicated to knife and blade diversity in all its forms, my Grim Reaper push dagger was featured on page 88. The author, Dmitry Samoylov included the Reaper in his article on push daggers. Many thanks to him for his international interest and publication.
Artist Eric Saperstein writes on his professional blog and periodical
about the investment value of fine custom handmade knives by established
professional knife makers for Artisans' fine handcrafted custom
woodworking. Coming from a fine artist and craftsman, his evaluation of
marketing and knife investment value is clear, concise, and descriptive,
illuminating the investment potential of fine handcrafted knives. Eric
is an established master in his field. Please take some time to visit
his site and examine his beautiful work.
The article details the building of the Artemis knife, and all the steps
with photos I supplied for the article.
Link to the final part (11 of 11) in
Artisan's Review: Finishing Artemis
Here is an example of the work by Artisans of the Valley, based in Pennington, NJ. They are an exclusive custom furniture, cabinetry, carving, and restoration shop. These craftsmen are the last of the traditional apprenticeship method of passing on the skills of furniture design, joinery, carving, and finishing. They offer custom furniture by commission.
The December 2010 issue of Blade Magazine featured in their "What's New" section one of my Phlegra Khukris custom made for a field artillery soldier serving in Afghanistan. Below is the thumbnail of the khukri and the link to a special page with more information, details, and photographs of this knife. It's actually part of a pair of tactical combat knives. See the page below.
It's always nice to get recognized in a professional trade journal. In April, 2012, I was featured in an interview article by Julie Sammarco of FF Journal. This is the online magazine for today's metal fabricating and forming technologies. The article featured photos of Aeolus (on the home page splash), Aegir, Imamu, Pacifica, and Desert Wind knives. Because the article was shortened due to FF Journal space requirements, I've included the entire interview on a special page on my site at this bookmark.
I was interviewed by Bethany Miller of Knives Illustrated Magazine about the steel I use in my knives, for an article published in
December 2013's issue starting on page 66, titled, "Metal Worth Its Mettle." They interviewed a host of knife manufacturers including
CAS Iberia, SOG Knives,
Victorinox Swiss Army, W.R.Case, Camillus, and
Fox Knives USA. I was the only individual knife maker queried. They also included a photo
of my Chef's Set in CPM154CM and petrified palm wood gemstone handles. Ms. Miller asked what steel I preferred and why, and this is my
complete response (they deleted the text in red):
"The modern, full time professional knifemaker may use many types of steel for blades, and others for fittings, bolsters, guards, ancillary devices, sheaths, and stands. In my studio these materials define a system, not simply a cutting edge. Currently, I use over a dozen different types of steel for my blades, and half a dozen types of pattern welded damascus. The decision of the type of steel chosen for any particular project involves the ultimate knife client, user, or owner. The modern knife buyer of fine custom handmade knives is well-educated on the modern steel choices and options, and it is my job to answer all of his questions and satisfy his custom needs. I use three different categories and twelve different specific features to determine the blade type, all detailed on the web site."
"It’s important to know that there is no ultimate, super steel; if there were, it would replace all others in the industrial, military, and medical fields, and thus, be reflected in knifemaking. Each steel has its pros and cons. Ultimately, performance of a particular steel for a specific application is more determined by the correct, certain, and accurate heat treating, hardening and tempering, and processing of the blade than the simple choice. I’ve always believed that steel treatment is the sole responsibility of the knifemaker; it is through this technical course of actions he understands the steel, its advantages and limitations, as well as all of its performance aspects. With years of client feedback, the maker can tune, adjust and improve these processes as he continues to make. This is why I have a host of ovens, some with rapid ramp capability, inert gas infusion, digital controllers, and accurate and calibrated regulating and testing equipment."
Of course, the entire string of text was a bit long for their copy, so they truncated and condensed my comments, but they got the direction of my response.
The photo caption was:
"These Fisher custom chef knives are made from CPM154CM, a particularly high quality steel."
For the January/February issue of 2014's Knives Illustrated Magazine, I was featured in an article titled,
"An Old Craft, a New Era". The article was written by Ben Nagy, who asked some interesting questions
about how I started, grew, and operate my professional business of making some of the best knives in the world. The article describes
my beginning, how I transitioned from hobbyist to professional, who I make for and what I make.
The editors and staff of KI were kind to
preview the article on pages 9 and 47 with large photos of my "Domovoi" and "Horus"
SEAL Team knife. Featured in the article are the
"Tribal" sculptural knife and the "Anzu" tactical combat knife. Also
is a photo of my face. It's a great article and Ben and KI did a good job and
have my thanks.
You can read the complete text of the interview without the edits on this special page on the website. Of course, they had to cut it down to fit their format, and I appreciate the effort required to preserve and present the critical points.
The production team of "Off the Eaten Path" stayed several days at our home and the studio, interviewing, filming, and learning about knifemaking. Though their focus was chef's knives, and "out of the way" locations, it was a great experience. Post production was delayed by the Covid 19 pandemic, but I'm confident that the guys will move the process forward. Learn more about the entire experience on a special page here.
In the fall of 2022, I was asked to be interviewed on a podcast coming from 101 WINS Radio in New York City. They were doing a podcast for Halloween, and were interviewing people on their greatest fears. One contributor claimed her greatest fear was chopping off her finger while using the cutting board.
They interviewed me to get my take on this danger and fear, and it was a fun piece. I talked a little bit about history of my knifemaking, knives, cutting boards, and safety. At the end of the podcast, they asked me what really scared me and I told about an encounter when I was young, in the swamps of southeast Texas... you'll have to listen to get the story.
One interesting factor about this podcast was the quality. The quality of sound and voice from their professional studio in New York City was good, but the sound and quality of my voice from the Clovis Sounds Studio in Clovis, New Mexico is exceptional! I was so happy that the work we've been doing in the studio is paying off. Especially considering that we used an internet podcasting host that meant broadcasting across the country from New Mexico to New York!
There are many places you can see my work, just do an internet search using the terms Jay Fisher and Knives. You'll see quite a few locations and resources of my career and pursuits. If you come across a substantial article or mention of my work in a publication or online resource that I should include, please let me know.
I'm honored to be in any source or article, and I could not do this without the help and support of people who browse this site, my clients, patrons, friends, and family.
Thanks for taking the time to be here!
