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.
Wusthof Trident Classic Tomato Knife | Kitchen Cutlery Serrated Deli 5 Inch
56 sec read
The Wusthof Trident Classic Tomato Knife solves a consistently frustrating kitchen problem that only bothers some people. Tomato knives aren’t essential tools unless you spend your days behind a deli counter making sandwiches. For the rest of us, they’re a convenience. Some would even feel guilty for owning one, except that the idea of a serrated slicing blade and a forked tip combined in one slim tool does work so well.
Slicing a tomato perfectly isn’t essential to life, but it does make a great sandwich. For a sandwich that’s perfectly sized for a lunch at work or at home, with tomato slices that aren’t mangled and crushed by awkward fingers, work with a tomato knife like this forged Trident Classic. The serrated edge seldom needs sharpening — slicing without smashing the fruit. When the wheel of tomato falls to the cutting board or plate, lift it neatly with the forked tip and place it on the sandwich stack. Another of life’s small problems fades away.
Wusthof uses the same build here as for its heavier knives — drop forging the tomato knife from a solid bar of high carbon stainless steel and riveting dishwasher-safe polypropylene handle slabs to the full tang. The knife has the look of hardwood handles without the warping problems and food filled gaps. Don’t run it through the dishwasher if you care about the edge and polish — wash and dry by hand.
Not a knife you have to have, but one you’ll like.
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...
The Wusthof Trident Classic Tomato Knife solves a consistently frustrating kitchen problem that only bothers some people. Tomato knives aren’t essential tools unless you spend your days behind a deli counter making sandwiches. For the rest of us, they’re a convenience. Some would even feel guilty for owning one, except that the idea of a serrated slicing blade and a forked tip combined in one slim tool does work so well.
