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.
Hanwei Shuriken Throwing Knife Set | Darts With Arm or Leg Strap Nylon Pouch
56 sec read
If you’ve not practiced with shuriken — thrown weapons which ranged from darts and knives to multi-pronged throwing stars — you might prefer something cheap. If you’re good enough to appreciate the real thing, consider this set of six shuriken from CAS Hanwei.
Made from tempered steel, these blackened throwing darts weigh two ounces apiece and have enough sticking power to be deadly in skilled hands, and dangerous in others. Practice with caution because ricochets can hurt. These six-inch-long darts feature tapered double-edged blades too thick to be good knives but tough enough to stand up to hard hits and bad throws. The set comes in a sturdy nylon fabric pouch which straps either to the ankle or the forearm and keeps the array at the ready. Wire-wrapped shanks provide a good grip and accurately balance the heavy blades.
This traditional style recreates one of the genuine Ninja weapons. Shuriken took many forms, but most were simple and easy to conceal. Plain spikes or slender knives took considerable skill to use as thrown weapons, and the more advanced shuriken overcame problems by feathering shafts or creating multiple points as in the throwing star design. To use this set well, you’ll need many hours of practice and probably some professional instruction. If you want accurate design and the feel of reality, you’ll enjoy this set of six shuriken darts from CAS Hanwei.
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.
If you’ve not practiced with shuriken — thrown weapons which ranged from darts and knives to multi-pronged throwing stars — you might prefer something cheap. If you’re good enough to appreciate the real thing, consider this set of six shuriken from CAS Hanwei.
