Jay Fisher - Fine Custom Knives

"Chama" Hunting, Utility, Collector's Knife

The Chama is one of my early patterns, designed with the help and input of a professional hunting guide whose specialty is the great American Elk. The Chama was named for a mountain town in New Mexico that is near elk habitat, and home for many professional outfitting companies and lodges. He wanted a knife that could be used to field dress several of these huge animals without needing sharpened, and could get inside the animal to work. So the Chama is designed as a three-fingered knife, with a handle that is only large enough for three fingers so the handle butt does not protrude from the palm. The blade is a wide, stout dropped point, for skinning and dressing with a deeply hollow ground blade that provides plenty of belly and a razor-keen cutting edge with great serviceability and longevity in the design.

This Chama has a mirror-polished 440C high chromium stainless steel blade, hand-engraved low carbon steel bolsters, and unusual copper ore, Hecla, and calumet stone handle. The copper really stands out against the dark reddish stone, and is tough and resilient. The sheath is made of tan emu skin inlays in hand-carved leather shoulder, dyed medium tan, hand-stitched, lacquered, and sealed.

A beautiful older design that is still a pleasure to make and to see.