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.
Shaolin Staff | Tiger Claw Iron Staff | Chinese Martial Arts Weapons Polearms
55 sec read
The heaviest training staff of the Shaolin, the Eyebrow Height Iron Staff is at the heart of an old story from Shaolin temple history. Answering the Emperor’s call to repel a foreign invasion force, monks used their iron staffs to beat back invading soldiers — only to find themselves considered the Emperor’s next and greatest threat.
Though that could be legend rather than history, the Iron Staff is a real example of a very tough ancient training system. Using weapons too heavy for actual combat, monks and soldiers developed strength and skill that transferred with lethal efficiency to the faster combat weapons. Many legends focus on heroes who became so powerful that the impractical training devices were their primary armaments.
This hand forged steel staff from Tiger Claw, produced by Chinese craftsmen using traditional methods, outweighs the usual oak or waxwood staff by about seven pounds. Two inches in diameter and 68 inches long, the eight-and-a-half pound metal staff weighs too much for Wushu practice. For less than legendary users, slow movements through traditional forms with this classic weapon in hand will be one of the most effective ways to develop physical power. In use, there’s very little to go wrong with this simple and powerful weapon. Striking targets is possible, but only the strongest training devices will hold up to this staff’s full impact. This iron staff is also a nicely finished weapon suitable for display.
A nylon carrying case is provided but only gives a small amount of padding. Handle the Eyebrow Height Iron Staff carefully to avoid accidental injuries.
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 heaviest training staff of the Shaolin, the Eyebrow Height Iron Staff is at the heart of an old story from Shaolin temple history. Answering the Emperor’s call to repel a foreign invasion force, monks used their iron staffs to beat back invading soldiers — only to find themselves considered the Emperor’s next and greatest threat.
