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.
Slimline Hunter by Bear & Son Cutlery | Hunting Lockback Folding Knife w/ India Stag Bone Handle
56 sec read
The India Stag Bone Slimline Hunter from Bear and Son Cutlery of Jacksonville, Alabama, will be a useful companion anywhere you’d need a rugged light hunting knife. The knife lives up to its name, with a blade well-designed for field dressing small game.
The trailing point style of the Slimline’s hollow ground blade puts more strength in the point and a strong convex cutting edge near the tip. The blade separates joints easily and also allows the controlled cut you need to open a carcass without damaging what’s inside. There’s plenty of plain straight edge for heavy cutting, whether it’s meat or wood you’re working on.
The handle of this small lockback knife uses a grip of jigged India stag bone. The jigging gives the bone the texture of natural antler and ensures that each knife will be slightly different in pattern. These very stable bone slabs sit between solid nickel steel bolsters. All materials used in the knife, including the high carbon stainless steel blade, are resistant to temperature extremes and wet conditions.
Only 4-1/2 inches when closed, the Slimline Hunter is a little too much knife for the pocket. The heavier build of a Bear and Son’s knife rides best on a belt, and purchase of the Slimline does include a well-made stitched leather sheath. Slip the Slimline in the sheath and snap the cover shut for secure transportation wherever you go.
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 India Stag Bone Slimline Hunter from Bear and Son Cutlery of Jacksonville, Alabama, will be a useful companion anywhere you’d need a rugged light hunting knife. The knife lives up to its name, with a blade well-designed for field dressing small game.
