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.
J.K. Adams Wooden Knife Tray | Cutlery Drawer Storage Maple ID-616 Large
51 sec read
The J. K. Adams ID-616 (top tray of the three shown) also comes in unfinished pine, so check the product when it arrives to make sure you’ve received the much superior Vermont maple version. Sixteen-and-a-half inches long by nine wide, the two-inch thick maple knife rack slides in one side of a kitchen utensil drawer. Slots hold six full-sized kitchen knives and six more steak knives or paring knives. The slanted handle rest allows easy access to your favorite cutlery. Edge-down storage and organized space prevents the jumble of sharp edges that threatens both fingers and blades.
J. K. Adams has manufactured high-quality Vermont maple knife blocks at its factory in Dorset, Vermont, since 1944. Adams knife storage systems are guaranteed against defects for five years after purchase — Vermont maple should hold up long after that, since the local hardwood is especially dense and stable. Be careful of the new pine versions, however. Pine could be easily damaged by blades and split by accidental levering.
Wooden knife blocks offer the best protection for your good knives. To care for your maple storage rack, oil the wood thoroughly with light mineral oil before the first use. Dry your knives completely before placing them in storage to avoid problems with trapped moisture. Water absorbed by unoiled wood could cause the rack to swell and crack.
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 J. K. Adams ID-616 (top tray of the three shown) also comes in unfinished pine, so check the product when it arrives to make sure you’ve received the much superior Vermont maple version. Sixteen-and-a-half inches long by nine wide, the two-inch thick maple knife rack slides in one side of a kitchen utensil drawer. Slots hold six full-sized kitchen knives and six more steak knives or paring knives. The slanted handle rest allows easy access to your favorite cutlery. Edge-down storage and organized space prevents the jumble of sharp edges that threatens both fingers and blades.
