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.
Drawer Knife Tray Storage for 14 | J.K. Adams Ash Wood for Kitchen Cutlery & Sharpening Steel
1 min read
The best storage system for fine kitchen cutlery is still the wooden storage block. If that’s not an option you like, J.K. Adams does make alternative systems like this 14-knife storage tray made from American ash. The tray fits an average kitchen storage drawer and doesn’t even require much space. With this tray, your knives will be within easy reach, and you’ll still have complete use of your counter top.
Only 17 inches by 9-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches deep, the tray should leave much of the drawer available for other tools while keeping your good knives organized, safe, and sharp. Natural, oiled ash wood resists splitting and wicks away moisture which could harm your knives’ blades. Knives store in two alternating rows with the larger knives towards the front of the drawer and the smaller blades in the back row of slots.
This large, in-drawer tray holds 6 large knives and 8 smaller ones plus one sharpening steel. Many different brands of cutlery should fit. Just make sure the drawer is large enough to accept the tray, and that the depth of the drawer is at least 3-1/4 inches. That should be plenty of room to clear the handles when the drawer closes. The storage tray will hold carving, santoku, chef’s and bread knives, but oversized blades like cleavers will need a different home.
Storage trays should be oiled occasionally, and it’s always good practice to dry knives before putting them away.
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 Diamond Edge Pro knife and scissors sharpener from Smith Abrasives combines electric and manual sharpening systems for quick and accurate refurbishing of knives...
The best storage system for fine kitchen cutlery is still the wooden storage block. If that’s not an option you like, J.K. Adams does make alternative systems like this 14-knife storage tray made from American ash. The tray fits an average kitchen storage drawer and doesn’t even require much space. With this tray, your knives will be within easy reach, and you’ll still have complete use of your counter top.
