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.
Brom Eragon Sword Licensed Official Replica | Fantasy Display Longsword w/ Sheath & Plaque
59 sec read
If you’re looking for the true Sword of Brom, the quest becomes complicated. Brom, the mysterious old storyteller who befriended the young Dragon Rider Eragon in that epic story, actually carried two.
This sword that might be considered Brom’s everyday personal weapon isn’t flashy — the 41-1/2-inch longsword has the subdued look of a weapon that’s all business. The double-edged blade isn’t sharpened, and this licensed replica of the sword shown in the movie Eragon isn’t intended for striking targets or swordplay. Built for display only, the high carbon stainless steel blade with tan-wrapped grip and cast metal cross-guard and pommel hangs proudly on the hardwood display plaque provided with the set. If you choose to carry the sword, a leather-bound hardwood sheath is also provided. The sword set also includes a certificate of authenticity.
Brom became the magical teacher of Eragon in a story some critics accused of borrowing heavily from the theme of Star Wars. In fact, later in the epic Brom even revealed himself to be Eragon’s father — another familiar plot. During their last battle together, Brom handed this sword to Eragon and unleashed a second, more magical red blade. When mortally wounded in that fight, Brom gave Eragon his mystical weapon, the sword Zar’roc. Zar’roc’s red blade undoubtedly would have caused a stir anywhere the old man went. The old Dragon Rider Brom knew better than to ask for trouble — this other nondescript sword was the weapon he favored in public.
For a sword from the evil side of the Eragon epic, see the Sword of Durza.
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.
If you’re looking for the true Sword of Brom, the quest becomes complicated. Brom, the mysterious old storyteller who befriended the young Dragon Rider Eragon in that epic story, actually carried two.
