James grew up on an Ozarks farm where tools like axes and picks were still used in the daily routine and the blades of stockman's pocketknives served their original functions. Receiving his first pocketknife at age four he got it open by himself nearly a year later and spent his formative years wandering the woods with a succession of ever larger knives, a book of matches and a rifle.
A veteran of Vietnam, James also served in Alaska during a stint in the Army, receiving his first intensive culinary training by setting a record for extra KP at Ft. Richardson.
Settling in the Pacific Northwest after his discharge, James crewed on sailing yachts in local races, backpacked hundreds of miles of mountain trails in search of good trout fishing, and occasionally attended college.
His first serious job as a civilian resulted from answering a Seattle Post Intelligencer want ad requesting someone who could lift 120 pounds repeatedly and wasn't afraid of fire. James apprenticed to John Frazier -- the most knowledgeable traditional foundryman in North America at that time -- for the next six years.
Returning to the Ozarks James made his living by growing ginseng on a hand-terraced wooded hillside and selling handmade wood turnery, furniture, sculpture and architectural carvings. James harvested trees from his own land, processing logs into posts and beams and turnery billets with saws, axes, froes and planes. Since many tools he needed were no longer available, James built his own forge from a barbeque grill, a vacuum cleaner and a 55 gallon steel drum, found a chunk of railroad track for his first anvil, and taught himself blacksmithing -- creating his own knives and tools from scrap steel and sweat.
Changing economic pressures eventually forced James back to the restaurant industry in Branson, Missouri, and later to even more success as a maintenance engineer for one of Branson's largest condominium resorts. Finally escaping to Indiana, James now makes his living telling true stories as a freelance writer.
DMT Diamond Sharpening Stone | Fine Grit Whetstone W4F 4 Inch
56 sec read
DMT’s W4F Diamond Pocket Whetstone has the fine grit matrix you most often need when touching up a blade edge at work or far from home. This 4 by 7/8 by 3/16-inch sharpening stone weighs only a little more than three ounces, including the neat stitched leather sheath. Ultralight travelers could save a little more weight by leaving the sheath at home. Just be careful the whetstone doesn’t wear a hole in your pocket.
When new, the surface of the steel matrix (which actually carries the fine diamond grit) will cut faster and rougher than expected. As the surface wears, the stone produces slower results but a more finished edge. After that first rough layer wears away, the stone stays virtually unchanged for years. Natural or ceramic stones quickly develop dips — not so much a problem with knife blades as with chisels or planes, which must stay perfectly square. Diamond stones continue to give accurate results for years of heavy use.
The fast cutting action and light weight of this small but efficient honing stone make it a great choice for campers, hunters, fishermen, and hikers. You can even skip the honing oil since the diamond stone works either wet or dry. To prevent buildup of metal particles on the surface, moisture the stone with a few drops of water before use and rinse it clean when you’re done. While this grade of stone won’t create a mirror polish on a blade, the edge it leaves is good enough.
James grew up on an Ozarks farm where tools like axes and picks were still used in the daily routine and the blades of stockman's pocketknives served their original functions. Receiving his first pocketknife at age four he got it open by himself nearly a year later and spent his formative years wandering the woods with a succession of ever larger knives, a book of matches and a rifle.
A veteran of Vietnam, James also served in Alaska during a stint in the Army, receiving his first intensive culinary training by setting a record for extra KP at Ft. Richardson.
Settling in the Pacific Northwest after his discharge, James crewed on sailing yachts in local races, backpacked hundreds of miles of mountain trails in search of good trout fishing, and occasionally attended college.
His first serious job as a civilian resulted from answering a Seattle Post Intelligencer want ad requesting someone who could lift 120 pounds repeatedly and wasn't afraid of fire. James apprenticed to John Frazier -- the most knowledgeable traditional foundryman in North America at that time -- for the next six years.
Returning to the Ozarks James made his living by growing ginseng on a hand-terraced wooded hillside and selling handmade wood turnery, furniture, sculpture and architectural carvings. James harvested trees from his own land, processing logs into posts and beams and turnery billets with saws, axes, froes and planes. Since many tools he needed were no longer available, James built his own forge from a barbeque grill, a vacuum cleaner and a 55 gallon steel drum, found a chunk of railroad track for his first anvil, and taught himself blacksmithing -- creating his own knives and tools from scrap steel and sweat.
Changing economic pressures eventually forced James back to the restaurant industry in Branson, Missouri, and later to even more success as a maintenance engineer for one of Branson's largest condominium resorts. Finally escaping to Indiana, James now makes his living telling true stories as a freelance writer.
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DMT’s W4F Diamond Pocket Whetstone has the fine grit matrix you most often need when touching up a blade edge at work or far from home. This 4 by 7/8 by 3/16-inch sharpening stone weighs only a little more than three ounces, including the neat stitched leather sheath. Ultralight travelers could save a little more weight by leaving the sheath at home. Just be careful the whetstone doesn’t wear a hole in your pocket.
