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.
Blue Samurai Sword Katana Set of 3 by Trademark Global | Engraved Kanji Blade w/ Display Stand
55 sec read
The three-piece Samurai sword set with blue scabbards from Trademark Global will be well-received by the newest generation of sword enthusiasts, who grew up on the flashy weapons from their favorite video games. The Blue Samurai Set is an enjoyable blend of color and traditional styling.
Much of the construction detail has a pleasantly authentic appearance — that would include the engraved kanji on the blade of the 39-1/2-inch katana, the largest display weapon in the set. Blades of all three swords are high carbon stainless steel, but shaped and polished rather than ground and honed razor-sharp. Temper quality is low, and the blades shouldn’t be used for cutting or striking practice.
The full tang blades fit traditionally styled wooden handles wrapped with material that resembles the authentic builds. Wrappings were usually ray skin with a grip — or ito — woven from natural cord. The materials substituted here are less-expensive synthetics with a similar look and feel. Other components of cast metal also follow the old patterns but with less strength than in practical weapons.
The set is still an excellent choice for a sword fancier with imagination. The set of three traditional weapons of the virtual samurai warrior — katana, wakizashi, and tanto — comes with a simple black wood display stand for display on desktop or dresser.
For another display set which will appeal to younger (as well as older) collectors, see the Black Dragon Ninja Sword Set.
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 three-piece Samurai sword set with blue scabbards from Trademark Global will be well-received by the newest generation of sword enthusiasts, who grew up on the flashy weapons from their favorite video games. The Blue Samurai Set is an enjoyable blend of color and traditional styling.
