Last Chance LT
Last Chance LT (Light)
- Size: Length overall: 8.0" (20.3 cm), Blade Length: 3.5" (8.9 cm), Thickness: .189" (4.8 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 8.5 oz. (241 grams) Sheath: 5.8 oz. (164 grams)
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to HRC58, Mirror Polished
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
- Handle: Snakeskin Jasper Gemstone (Australia)
- Sheath: Hand-carved Leather, Nickel Plated Steel
- Knife: This fine handmade custom knife was
based on the original "Last Chance" knife pattern, which was adapted
in this knife to create a smaller, more compact, yet seriously stout
and strong knife, suitable for daily carry and use. The blade has a
strong tanto geometry, with several deeply hollow ground cutting
edges yielding an acute point and keen secondary razor sharp
edges. The blade spine has a full length top swage to reduce point
profile without sacrificing strength through the axis, and the blade
grind is terminated with a sharp line cutter for quickly
snagging monofilament and small line to sever it. The
knife has a full tang, is one solid piece of high chromium stainless
tool steel from tip to butt, and the tang is fully tapered for
balance with an aggressive full filework pattern throughout. The
handle has deep quillons to guard and secure the hand, and is
bolstered with zero-care 304 high nickel, high chromium stainless
steel. The rear bolsters have a 1/4" through-tang lanyard hole
for additional security. The polished bolsters are dovetailed and bed a pair of bright
red Snakeskin Jasper gemstone handle scales from Australia. This
stone is extremely tough and very hard, and will well outlast the
knife. I polished it to a bright, glassy finish. Veins of gray metallic hematite run through the red jasper
which has some brighter cream-colored layers and some milky quartz
agate seams. The knife feels solid
for its compact form, and the balance point is right at the front
bolster dovetail-to-scale junction.
- Sheath: My client requested a very special
sheath, one that is certainly not my normal fare, but unique and
useful was my objective. He wanted a sheath that could mount
horizontally on his belt, securing the knife solidly, yet have the
capability to remove the sheath without uncoupling and pulling his
belt from the pants loops. I created a double belt clip arrangement
with nickel plated steel belt clips solidly mounted to the smooth sheath
back, with secure retention that will not fall off, yet is easy to
remove with the finger. The clips can straddle a belt loop or mount
anywhere along the belt line in horizontal fashion. In fact, with
this arrangement, the sheath can be mounted in any orientation, even
upside down. If mounted on the back belt line, on the right side,
the blade edge is down with the point away from the right hand. The
knife is secured in the sheath by two means, a flap that is locked
with a nickel plated steel snap, and a welt stack that keeps the
knife from moving out of the sheath. All the sheath parts are
hand-stitched with very tough nylon thread and bonded with
waterproof cement. I topped it off with generous and deep
hand-carving, highlighted the carving and dyed the sheath a dark
maroon color and lacquered and sealed the surfaces.
- A great practical knife for use and carry with a unique sheath arrangement.
Thanks, J. C.!
What a fabulous experience it was working with Jay to modify one of his designs into a new model. The
communication with Jay was a delight, he was very responsive to my ideas and the depth of his experience
is amazing. Both the knife and the somewhat troublesome sheath turned out beautifully and I am, again,
proud to be the owner of a Jay Fisher hand made masterpiece. "Brioney", as I have named my Last Chance LT,
does every task from the most delicate to the roughest with ease and comfort. The custom fitted handle,
the aggressive point and the tanto geometry make any task an easy task. It goes without saying that the
mirror polished blade, gorgeously finished gemstone handle and the ingenious and beautiful sheath
means that this knife is as good to look at as it is to work with.
Thank you, Jay.
--J.C.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos