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.
Lord of the Rings Isildur Sword w/ Plaque | LOTR Replica Collectors Fantasy Longsword by United Cutlery
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One of the many legendary and often magical weapons from the Lord of the Rings saga, the Sword of Isildur would make an excellent display piece for the fantasy weapon collector. Less ornate than many LOTR blades, the Sword of Isildur looks like it was built for combat.
United Cutlery produced this 47-1/2-inch longsword and built the weapon with display standards in mind. Quality materials include cast metal pommel and handguard and a grip wrapped with woven leather. The blade itself has the weight of a battlesword but is made from a lower grade of 420 high carbon stainless steel. A blood groove runs down the spine of the blade. Decoration is limited to a simple etching on the base of the blade and a “one tree” symbol cast in the pommel.
Because this is a rat tail tang sword, that blade puts considerable stress on the handle. Trying out the sword on a real target could damage this display quality weapon. United provides a lacquered hardwood wall plaque for display of the Sword of Isildur.
Practical issues aren’t unusual with reproductions of magical weapons, and in this case, the technical barriers are more than magical. The sword is too heavy for its light construction and too large for a normal person to grip and swing. Isildur, the wielder of the sword, was no ordinary person. Tolkien described him as seven feet tall and of massive stature. The Sword of Isildur from United Cutlery gets the look right.
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.
One of the many legendary and often magical weapons from the Lord of the Rings saga, the Sword of Isildur would make an excellent display piece for the fantasy weapon collector. Less ornate than many LOTR blades, the Sword of Isildur looks like it was built for combat.
