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 Storm Shadow Katana, White w/ Display Stand | United Cutlery Rise Of Cobra Collectible Sword
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Faithful to the details of the katana wielded by Cobra agent Storm Shadow, bodyguard of Cobra Commander in the movie G.I. Joe — Rise of Cobra, this movie replica sword from United Cutlery should please any collector of movie memorabilia.
The white scabbard and grip, offset with polished metal fittings, include many traditional features as well as high-tech characteristics taken from the movie. Double fullers run the length of the high carbon stainless steel blade, and the sword’s full tang rests in a traditionally styled hardwood grip overlaid with real rayskin. Instead of the old-fashioned woven cord ito, the grip’s binding is a wrap of white leather. There’s enough extra metal in the construction that the sword looks a little heavy.
Along with the katana, new owners receive a matching display stand with separate racks for the white hardwood scabbard and the unsheathed sword. The stand’s emblem matches the red insignia etched in the katana’s blade. The hexagram from the I Ching or Book of Changes symbolizes the interaction of K’an or water with Li or fire. The two elemental forces don’t mix well, and the characters Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes didn’t either. At times close friends and at times bitter enemies, the two members of the Arashikage Ninja clan created much of the story’s drama through their constant rivalry.
This numbered replica of the sword wielded by Korean martial artist Byung-Hun Lee in his role as Storm Shadow comes with a certificate of authenticity.
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.
Faithful to the details of the katana wielded by Cobra agent Storm Shadow, bodyguard of Cobra Commander in the movie G.I. Joe — Rise of Cobra, this movie replica sword from United Cutlery should please any collector of movie memorabilia.
