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.
Mundial Steak Knife Set by Olivier Anquier | Serrated w/ Hardwood Handle, 4 Piece
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From one of Mundial’s highest quality product lines, this four-piece steak knife set combines the design concepts of French chef Olivier Anquier with the Old World German craftsmanship of this famous Brazilian company. Add renewable Brazilian tropical hardwood to the good ideas in this steak set.
Chrome molybdenum stain-free high carbon steel is at the heart of these fully forged knives, but the most striking part is the ribbed hardwood handle. While most of Brazil’s beautiful woods have come from endangered rain forest and questionable clearcutting methods, a few important species are now farmed and renewable. One of those — Brazilian guajavira — has the stability and hardness needed for the handles of kitchen cutlery. The guajavira handles of this set are both beautiful and functional, holding up well to hand washing and extremes in humidity and temperature. A rubdown with mineral oil keeps the finish in good condition.
These knives are very comfortable to hold with ribbed grips, strong bolsters, and a size that gives diners full control. The serrated blades of this set withstand hard surfaces and encounters with bones. Edges remain serviceable for years without sharpening. Take them to a professional when the set does need re-working.
Mundial’s knives are still made to old standards and are heavier than many modern brands. In a steak knife set, that extra strength and weight isn’t absolutely necessary, but it gives these knives an appearance and quality that’s well above the usual lightweight, modern styles.
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.
The Diamond Edge Pro knife and scissors sharpener from Smith Abrasives combines electric and manual sharpening systems for quick and accurate refurbishing of knives...
From one of Mundial’s highest quality product lines, this four-piece steak knife set combines the design concepts of French chef Olivier Anquier with the Old World German craftsmanship of this famous Brazilian company. Add renewable Brazilian tropical hardwood to the good ideas in this steak set.
