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 need a good reason to buy this survival knife, consider that Mission Knives has a knife built of the same titanium alloy that’s been soaking in seawater for five years without a hint of corrosion. Ordinary stainless steel won’t do that. A little rust on the blade isn’t such a big deal, but the edge always goes first. In rough conditions, this knife stays sharp.
Mission designed the MPS10-Ti, ground from one piece of light but strong titanium alloy, for the survival packs of military pilots. Unlike steel knives, the MPS10 does not get brittle in subzero cold — titanium is unaffected by extreme temperatures. The flat design makes this knife the favorite of law enforcement and search and rescue personnel as well — fully functional, full sized and yet discreet. Total weight of the 9-3/4 inch survival knife with Kytel sheath is only 9.4 ounces. If you’re a hiker concerned about weight but wanting a full-length usable survival blade, this is five inches of lightweight cutting edge you’ll hardly feel on your belt. The serrated edge slices rope and harnesses belts with ease, but smooth cutting requires a plain edge. The combo blade provides both.
Flat steel knives may be practical, but if you use them for long you’ll have blisters to match the outline. Titanium’s no different in that sense, and if you do need a comfortable workhorse. Mission offers G10 handle slabs and titanium mounting screws. Convert the flat design to a more conventional handle for the hard jobs. Mission knives are popular with people who need the best — names like SEAL and SERE come instantly to mind.
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.
Designed by Doug Ritter of “Equipped to Survive,” the Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pak earned positive reviews from survival instructor Cody Lundin and...
Multi-purpose gear for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoorsmen gets better every year. If you make the Buck 731 X-Tract LED Multi-Tool part of your...
Leatherman’s back with an even stronger version of the original Leatherman Super Tool. The Super Tool 300 Multi-tool offers the strongest pair of multi-tool...
If you need a good reason to buy this survival knife, consider that Mission Knives has a knife built of the same titanium alloy that’s been soaking in seawater for five years without a hint of corrosion. Ordinary stainless steel won’t do that. A little rust on the blade isn’t such a big deal, but the edge always goes first. In rough conditions, this knife stays sharp.
