Phact
"Phact" Fine Handmade Knife
- Size: Length overall: 8.25" (21.0 cm), Blade Length: 4.0" (10.2 cm), Thickness: .122" (3.1 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 4.8 oz. (136 grams) Sheath: 4.6 oz. (130 grams)
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Steel, Cryogenically Treated, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell HRC 60, Mirror Polished
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Mirror polished
- Handle: Poppy Jasper Gemstone (India)
- Sheath: Hand-carved Leather Shoulder inlaid with Red Rayskin
- Knife: The Phact is a great knife, one that
encompasses the medium-small knife classification applicable to
steak knives, table knives, small game dressing knives, and utility
knives. My Phact pattern is named for a star in the constellation of
the dove, heralded as the bringer of good news and good
messages. If I associate this name to the knife, I would always
consider a steak good news, or even using an elegant knife like this
for a typical cutting chore very good news!
- I used 440C martensitic stainless steel for the blade of this knife;
it's my most asked-for knife steels for a reason. It's
incredibly corrosion-resistant, at home in any kitchen or
eating environment, while being wear-resistant and tough.
I've cryogenically treated this blade with advanced
processing for high martensite development, and
performed multiple
tempering for profuse carbide creation. Consequently, the
cutting edge sharpness will last a very long time.
- The blade shape is nearly straight, so close to being
straight that you have to look down the line of the spine to
see a slight drop. This drop allows an easier sheathing
without the point hanging up in the sheath welts. The blade
is thin, yet has a good, tight hollow grind for a thin, yet
stout cutting edge. The tang is fully tapered for balance,
and I left the spine and handle of the knife clean and even
(without filework) so that uses such as a table knife would make
the knife easy to clean. The knife has a large choil to
delineate the start of the cutting edge, and the grind
terminations are matched and rounded to allow the spine to
support the edge without stress at the ricasso.
- I bolstered the Phact with zero-care 304 high chromium, high
nickel stainless steel bolsters, and they are contoured, rounded and
polished for a comfortable feel. The bolsters are secured
with zero-clearance peened pins and dovetailed to bed the
scales. The front bolster has a wide, flat top even with
the spine for applying pressure, and a bit of curve to
support the forefinger and prevent it from moving toward the
blade in a forward grip. The rear bolster is wide and flat,
aiding in balance and filling the palm of the hand for
control. It also aids in easy unsheathing.
- The handle scales are striking Poppy Jasper gemstone from India.
While there are several kinds of Poppy Jaspers, this is a
rather rare type from India, from old lapidary stock and not
commonly available any more. I was lucky to find it and
snatched up all I could! It's a hard, tough,
cryptocrystalline quartz, with very hard "poppies"
surrounded in pink with dark ruby-red centers. The gem is profuse with
"blooms" and one wonders at how such magnificent patterns
are formed in stone through many millions of years. This
jasper is hard and tough, and durable, taking a bright
glassine finish. It will outlast the rest of the knife; after all it is rock!
- Sheath: The sheath for the Phact had to be as
bold as the knife, so I made one with full panel inlays of rich red
rayskin in medium brown-dyed hand-carved 9-10 oz. leather shoulder.
Rayskin is actually interlocking tiny bones in leathery skin, the
most durable exotic inlay skin available. The sheath is stitched
with brown nylon in a very tight pattern, adding to the stiffness of
the hardened leather considerably. The sheath is lacquered and
sealed for longevity.
- An excellent knife in a recognizable form, built in fine and
bold materials and finish.
Thanks, A. G.!
Hi Jay,
I opened and held Phact this Christmas morning, and . . . WOW. I want to write you a
proper thank you and detailed impressions of this beautiful piece, but right now I'm a
little brain dead after all the holiday festivities, family visiting, and kids running
on a 12 hour sugar high. Let me just say thank you for your masterful work on Phact
and for brightening my Christmas!
God Bless and Merry Christmas to you and your family,
--A.
Hi Jay,
I've been using Phact for 3 months to the day, and it has a special place in my heart and in my family.
Phact makes an appearance at every Sunday/Holiday dinner whether it be steaks, Tri-tip roasts, Picanha, thick
cut pork chops, or bbq chicken. In fact, my kids (10 and 7 years-old) now get excited for a meal when they see
"Dad's Jay Fisher Knife" set at my place at the table.
Your work is truly amazing Jay. Phact is stunning to behold, but more importantly it's a functional work
of art. Even though it was not a commissioned custom piece, it fits my hand like a glove. The 440c handles
every cutting task with ease and cleans up so easily after use, and there's not a single blemish on the blade
after 3 months of use!
On a side note, thank you for you most recent page on Food Safety in Kitchen and Chef's Knives. It is so
badly needed in the culinary industry and clarifies so much misinformation. I try and share the link whenever
carbon steel knives are recommended for kitchen use.
Thank you for your latest comments about your YouTube heat treat videos. I must say I was sorry you
took them down, since a I probably watched them a dozen times, but I understand your high standards and your
desire to present the material in the best possible way. If you do still have them saved on a hard drive
somewhere, I'd love to purchase a copy for my own personal edification and collection.
Thanks again for all of your work and dedication to the profession!
God Bless,
Adam
Please click on thumbnail knife photos