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.
Mundial Future Knife Block Set 10 | Contemporary & Modern Kitchen Decor, Stainless Steel
57 sec read
Mundial of Brazil presents this fine set of forged all-stainless steel knives in a futuristic matching knife block to accent the beauty of your kitchen as well as handle all stages of the work. Traditional craftsmanship combines with modern manufacturing methods to give Mundial customers the best of both. Expect knives with an old world build and a few major (but good) changes.
Flat ground blades of high carbon stainless steel match full tangs to handles of 18/10 cutlery grade stainless steel for a strong seamless build with cutting edges that last and grips that won’t blemish. This heavier construction includes bolsters forged the full width of the blade. This is a very strong build, but if you’re accustomed to modern stamped knives or slim Japanese styles, that bolster could be awkward.
The set includes small peeling and paring knives, a six-inch utility knife good for slicing odd vegetables or boning meat and poultry, and three eight-inch knives — chef’s knife, bread knife, and carving knife. Add the sharpening steel and kitchen shears plus a matching carving fork, and even the beginning chef will be fully prepared for both kitchen work and dining service.
Mundial’s wood knife block is finished to match the metallic sheen of the knife set. The finish is stain resistant and easy to clean as well. Hand washing of all pieces in this set is recommended — handles aren’t likely to stain, but the harder steel of the blades could spot if blades aren’t properly cleaned and dried.
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...
Mundial of Brazil presents this fine set of forged all-stainless steel knives in a futuristic matching knife block to accent the beauty of your kitchen as well as handle all stages of the work. Traditional craftsmanship combines with modern manufacturing methods to give Mundial customers the best of both. Expect knives with an old world build and a few major (but good) changes.
