When more toughness is desired, ATS-34 High Molybdenum Hot Work Stainless Die Steel can take a real beating. And when the demands of geometry, usage, grain pattern, and pure brutality require it, D-2 Extremely High Carbon Stain Resistant Die Steel can handle nearly everything asked of a cutting tool. Jay also works with Pattern Welded Damask and other unusual materials by special request. His hollow grinds are some of the crispest, most accurate, most geometrically stable in the business. One look says it all.
Handles are the link between the cutting edge and the human hand.
So there are as many materials and styles as there are hands on earth. It takes a very determined individual to attach a glistening chunk of gem to a rigid bed of polished tool steel, and Jay does it with elegance. He only uses nature's best, not plastics weakly imitating God's geological creations. Jay sometimes constructs gemstone mosaics, inlays, gem carving, and gem engraving in his pieces. He uses hardwoods too, and some ivories, horn and bone.