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.
Chinese Archaic Bronze Sword Replica by Trademark Global | Historical Collectible Asian Battle Weapon, 23 Inch
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Chinese bronze swords first developed in the late 7th century B.C. and reached a very high level of craftsmanship before iron and steel took over the battlefield. This 23-inch Bronze Sword would probably be the only bronze blade in a modern collection, except for the letter opener on the desk.
This Archaic Sword from Trademark Global will surprise you as soon as you pick it up. The short blade with polished hardwood grip weighs considerably more than a steel longsword and has half the reach. Cast with a massive hilt and a thick blade, the bronze weapon unquestionably could do serious damage, but the speed and durability of steel puts it to shame.
Bronze swords in China overcame some of those problems when smiths created laminated bronze blades. Putting different amounts of tin into the metal resulted in a difference in strength and hardness, so longer blades were poured in two sections. The thick spine of a dao or single-edged blade was tougher bronze with less tin, while the layer of bronze cast as the edge was harder and could be ground sharper. Double-edged swords or jian presented different technical problems. A common solution was a shorter and heavier blade.
The Archaic Bronze Sword comes with a hardwood wall plaque and is cast with simple decorations on hilt and blade. The sword will be a unique piece for most collectors.
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.
Chinese bronze swords first developed in the late 7th century B.C. and reached a very high level of craftsmanship before iron and steel took over the battlefield. This 23-inch Bronze Sword would probably be the only bronze blade in a modern collection, except for the letter opener on the desk.
