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.
With H&K’s liner lock system, this tactical folder opens and closes with just one hand, without the complications of a true automatic knife. Thumb studs and locking system work as well for lefties as for the right-handed user. Fully open, the drop point blade locks securely — release the lock with the push of a thumb, and the blade folds back into the handle with only a little back pressure. Closed length is 4-3/4″, and the handle of aircraft-quality aluminum is large enough to grip easily. Textured synthetic inlays provide an extra non-slip gripping surface.
The blade and metal parts of the handle show a smooth bead-blasted finish that’s polished but low glare. H&K chose 154CM stainless for the blade, with rust resistance and the ability to keep a razor edge. At less than half a pound including the reversible stainless steel pocket clip, the tactical liner lock is still large enough to qualify as a dependable and fast emergency knife. In everyday use the convenience and solid feel would be addictive.
H&K (Heckler and Koch of Germany) manufactures an extensive line of weapons including pistols and assault rifles intended for police and military use. H&K knives built to the same standards are highly rated by the same elite users. Many of the tactical knives are true automatics, but H&K also builds practical one-handers and assisted opening knives for the general public. This tactical liner lock is a good example of how their high-grade military designs are adapted for civilian use.
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.
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With H&K’s liner lock system, this tactical folder opens and closes with just one hand, without the complications of a true automatic knife. Thumb studs and locking system work as well for lefties as for the right-handed user. Fully open, the drop point blade locks securely — release the lock with the push of a thumb, and the blade folds back into the handle with only a little back pressure. Closed length is 4-3/4″, and the handle of aircraft-quality aluminum is large enough to grip easily. Textured synthetic inlays provide an extra non-slip gripping surface.
