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.
Sabatier Laguiole Steak Knife Set | Black and Brass 6 Piece
55 sec read
Built in the style of the workmen’s pocket folding knives which first originated in the French village of Laguiole, these six steak knives mimic the design but not all the quality of this old French pattern. The full tang plain edged blades ground from stamped steel do flex with a little side pressure, and the handle assembly uses small brass rivets and black polymer handle slabs that definitely call for hand washing. Dishwashers could do some damage to the set.
Look closely at the junction of the brass fittings with blade and handle, and you’ll see gaps where water and food could linger. The stress of a dishwasher could gradually loosen the construction. Hand washing avoids that problem, but getting the knives truly clean by hand will be challenging.
In another important detail, some corners have been cut. The trademark Laguiole bee at the base of the blade is steel, not the traditional brass of the real Laguiole knives.
With care most problems can be overcome, and this knife set does offer a traditional Laguiole appearance. Not every tableware pattern harmonizes with this slender pistol grip style, a relic from the countryside of France and Spain where the original folding knives became the standard pocket blade. Many different types were designed to meet customer requests, with some models built for carpenters or sheepherders and others made for waiters and chefs. As serving knives the patterns lost their original folding joint but not their rustic look.
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...
Built in the style of the workmen’s pocket folding knives which first originated in the French village of Laguiole, these six steak knives mimic the design but not all the quality of this old French pattern. The full tang plain edged blades ground from stamped steel do flex with a little side pressure, and the handle assembly uses small brass rivets and black polymer handle slabs that definitely call for hand washing. Dishwashers could do some damage to the set.
