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.
GI Joe Snake Eyes Sword, Official Collectible Katana | United Cutlery Rise Of Cobra Movie Replica Ray Park
1 min read
The Snake Eyes Katana from United Cutlery accurately reproduces that character’s movie sword from G.I. Joe — Rise of Cobra. This full-sized katana was the personal weapon of Snake Eyes, the silent commando portrayed by Ray Park.
In keeping with the high-tech appearance of the movie’s blade, the full tang of the high carbon stainless steel sword is housed in a skeletonized lightweight handle. Some other features are more traditional, like the full length blood groove, but no traditional katana comes with the short section of serrated cutting edge that’s one of the trademarks of the Snake Eyes blade. Decorations are sparse — the hardwood scabbard is bound with wire wrapping, and on the blade of the katana is a red symbol from the Book of Changes which means Water Over Fire.
The sword is definitely not a toy and is capable of inflicting real damage; it’s meant for collectors, not children. A simple wooden stand is included, with space for separate display of both sword and scabbard. Each katana in the collector’s edition series receives a unique serial number, and a certificate of authenticity accompanies each sword.
The original weapon had to be of weapons quality to survive the routines Ray Park performed in the film. Park found the role challenging even though he was already a martial arts expert — to prepare for the role, the actor studied wushu movements and the comic books which inspired the movie in order to get the action right. The Snake Eyes Sword from United Cutlery was also created with determined attention to detail.
For another G.I. Joe sword from United Cutlery, see the Storm Shadow Katana.
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 Snake Eyes Katana from United Cutlery accurately reproduces that character’s movie sword from G.I. Joe — Rise of Cobra. This full-sized katana was the personal weapon of Snake Eyes, the silent commando portrayed by Ray Park.
