Jay Brown Custom Knives | The AD1

Awhile back a friend of mine Jay Brown reached out letting me know that he had started making knives and that he wanted to make one for me. How could I refuse an offer like that? He asked for some basic specifications for the blade. And I told him I wanted. Something small and light, that can serve as a utility knife, bush crafting, and personal protection blade. I’ve known Jay for a more than a few years, we both worked in law enforcement and security. He was my Combat Hapkido Instructor and partner for our GORUCK event. He’s been making knives for about four years now and is showing strong skills. Below is my AD1 from Jay Brown.

AD1 Features and Specs

The AD1 is six and half inches over all with a three inches blade. The blade is one-eighth of an inch thick 80CRV2 High Carbon Steel. Jay uses the “stock removal” method for construction. Taking a bar of steel, grinding it to shape, beveling the edges, heat treating it and tempering the blade. He then finishes the blade by polishing and sharpening the edge with a saber grind. Finally, Jay installs and shapes the coke bottle G10 handle. After tempering the blade, it has a Rockwell hardness of about 60. He can also do blades in stainless steel, but they must be sent out for heat treating.

When I received my knife the first thing that caught my attention is how good it feels in the hand. The grip is smooth and my hand melted into it. Feeling as if it’s custom molded to my hand. Most small knives have a handle that just doesn’t feel comfortable to me. One of the important things to get the best out of a knife is a proper grip allowing you to work more efficiently. The G10 grips and the coke bottle shape work perfect for me. The blade is long enough for the daily utility. Chores that I use a knife for like opening boxes, cutting line and opening bags of corn. Yet could still be pressed into service as a defensive tool.

With its small size the AD1 handles the basic camp chores of shaping cutting wood, getting sparks from my ferro rod. Even batoning smaller pieces of wood for kindling. As a personal defense blade the AD1 is light and quick in the hand with a secure grip. The pouch style sheath is hand crafted out of vegetable tanned 8–9-ounce leather. The knife fits securely and rides comfortably on my belt in any position.

Contract information

If you are looking for a handmade knife with features that can be customized to your tastes reach out to Jay and he can fix you up. A knife like the AD1 is priced at $150.00 and run times are currently about eight weeks. All knives have a lifelong warrantee. Meaning the lifetime of the maker. And are guaranteed to function as a cutting instrument. Anyone interested in a knife can contact Jay at Jrb20503@gmail.com.