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.
Rosewood Straight Razor Blade by Bear & Son | Slip Joint Pocket Knife Shaver 4 1/8 Inch
55 sec read
The Bear & Son Rosewood Razor gives knife lovers a new shaving option — a straight razor with a truly American look. If you enjoy the versatility of the professional straight razor and the solid construction of American folding knives, you’ll like this classic slip joint build.
This is a straight razor you could actually carry in your pocket, since it’s built in the same style as a slip joint pocket knife, and with much the same look. Genuine South American rosewood handle slabs and nickel silver bolsters resist moisture and corrosion and hold up well to the extreme tropical climate of the typical morning bathroom. The hollow ground straight razor blade includes a finger choil for better control of the three-inch-long hollow ground cutting edge.
Opening the slip joint razor knife is a two-handed operation. Like any simple pocket knife, the blade holds in place with the pressure of a springbar spline in the handle. The spline keeps the blade in either closed or open position and releases under slight pressure.
Like nearly everything Bear & Son makes, there’s a little more to this high carbon stainless steel razor than you’d expect. Bear & Son products tend to be a little heavier than other brands. The company’s focus is on quality, cutting costs by making all parts onsite instead of skimping on materials.
To guarantee a razor edge without sharpening skills, try the DOVO Shavette — a straight razor with disposable blades.
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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The Bear & Son Rosewood Razor gives knife lovers a new shaving option — a straight razor with a truly American look. If you enjoy the versatility of the professional straight razor and the solid construction of American folding knives, you’ll like this classic slip joint build.
