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.
Black Prince Sword Valiant Armoury | English Longsword Replica | Edward Prince of Wales
56 sec read
Bear in mind as you heft the Black Prince Sword — named in honor of Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales until his death in 1376 — that this impressive 43-inch diamond cross-section sword is only the hand-and-a-half model. Two-handed broadswords were even heavier. With a sword like the Black Prince, a swordsman could fight with sword and shield, backing up the strongest blows with a second hand on the pommel.
According to Valiant Armoury, this modern version of the ancient English longsword can pierce plate armour one-handed and slash chain mail with a two-handed blow. With four-and-a-half pounds of high carbon steel powering the edge, that does seem possible. The usual Valiant build of carbon steel blade, polished steel fittings, and macassar ebony handle creates this strong and usable weapon. Details match the fine points of antique swords from the time of the Hundred Years War. The Black Prince Sword is a business-like blade which a fighting prince like Edward of Woodstock might actually have carried. Decoration is sparse — the 10-inch cross guard and heavy steel pommel are for catching blades and bashing heads, not for court ceremony.
Hand forged in the Philippines, the Black Prince Sword comes with a leather bound scabbard of good quality and is suitable for display or discreet use. One of the swords in Valiant’s standard series, the Black Prince is considered functional but not true combat quality. Valiant’s standard line is way ahead of most replica swords in both functional standards and design details. If the Black Prince isn’t actually the real thing, it’s a dead ringer for it.
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.
Bear in mind as you heft the Black Prince Sword — named in honor of Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales until his death in 1376 — that this impressive 43-inch diamond cross-section sword is only the hand-and-a-half model. Two-handed broadswords were even heavier. With a sword like the Black Prince, a swordsman could fight with sword and shield, backing up the strongest blows with a second hand on the pommel.
