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.
Puma Packer Camping Knife, Lockback Folder | Large Green ABS Grip Handle, Gold Series 230465
57 sec read
Puma’s recommended knife for backpackers — the Puma Packer — actually is slightly heavier than other Puma folders with the same blade length. The extra-large handle adds practical working strength — a handy feature for anyone who needs a good camp knife — but increases weight to 4.2 ounces.
The Packer isn’t one of Puma’s prettiest knives. Green ABS plastic handle scales are crosshatched to provide a firm grip in tough weather conditions, but only look functional. The knife’s die-cast bolsters are zinc-coated, and all metal parts are sandblasted, including the blade. That decreases the luster and seals pores in the metal against corrosion. The 2-3/4-inch-long 440A high carbon stainless steel blade is hot drop-forged and hollow ground. Each blade tests between 55 and 57 on the Rockwell scale, giving the knife good edge-holding ability without being too hard to sharpen easily.
This slip joint knife opens with two hands but provides a thumb slot — not just a notch — in the back of the blade for easier operation. Fully opened, the knife locks in place with a steel liner lock, making it safe for all types of camp work. The 4-1/3-inch length of the handle makes the knife comfortable to use with nearly a full-sized feel.
The Packer comes with a black nylon fabric belt pouch, so you don’t have to carry this hefty folder in your pocket. A small lanyard hole in the rear bolster allows attachment of a wrist loop.
See the Puma Earl Lockback for another practical folding knife from Puma.
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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Puma’s recommended knife for backpackers — the Puma Packer — actually is slightly heavier than other Puma folders with the same blade length. The extra-large handle adds practical working strength — a handy feature for anyone who needs a good camp knife — but increases weight to 4.2 ounces.
