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.
Case Russlock Knife 260 w/ Amber Bone Handle | Collectible Tommy Hart Vault Pocketknife 1953L
1 min read
Designed by Tommy Hart, one of Case’s master cutlers, the Russlock 1953L was first available in 2000 and is one of the popular Many Case designs are currently being considered for the Case “Vault.” Beginning in 2008, the Vault program retires selected knife patterns for a period of three years to increase their popularity as collectibles.
Although any of Case’s best knives are collector’s items, the possibility of withdrawal from the market does increase their chances to gain value. The Russlock may have a better chance than most. The Russlock series is stamped with a number honoring the company founder, Jack Russell Case, who died in 1953; and the Russlock was one of Tommy Hart’s last design efforts before Hart died in 1999.
The Case Russlock features a unique rotating tang for efficient one-handed opening, plus a strong liner lock, and was considered high-tech at the time it was first issued. Pressing the tang lever against the side of the leg — or any handy object such as a fence post — swings the blade open, making the knife a real one-handed opener even if you’re wearing gloves on a freezing cold day. The single California clip blade of high carbon stainless steel covers most chores well enough and gives the knife an especially sleek look. This version features jigged amber bone handle slabs and nickel silver bolsters with an engraved shield inlaid in one side.
This large knife makes short work of pockets, since the tang protrudes when the knife is closed. A sheath is not provided at purchase, but Case does make a Cordovan leather belt sheath which fits any of the company’s large folders, including the Amber Bone Russlock.
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.
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Designed by Tommy Hart, one of Case’s master cutlers, the Russlock 1953L was first available in 2000 and is one of the popular Many Case designs are currently being considered for the Case “Vault.” Beginning in 2008, the Vault program retires selected knife patterns for a period of three years to increase their popularity as collectibles.
