JT Hats
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.



Boker Ceramic Pocket Knife Plus Anti-MC | Rust Proof Pocketknife Tactical Folder

1 min read

Boker Ceramic Pocket Knife Plus Anti-MC Ceramic blades get better every year, and although owners still need to relearn a few basics of use, knives like the Boker Plus Anti-MC could make you happy simply because they’re razor-sharp and stay that way.

The Boker Plus Anti-MC combines two modern materials to create this elegant pocket folder. Titanium handle construction guarantees that you’re getting one of the lightest and strongest handle builds possible. Joining that to the ceramic cutting blade creates a knife that’s invulnerable to rust and corrosion. If you work around seawater, that’s a definite plus since even stainless steel degrades quickly in that brisk salty air.

Slicing is the strong point of this knife, not prying. Levering with the blade or dropping it on a hard surface could cause major damage, and even cutting requires a different technique, based on straight cuts instead of cutting a curved chip. If you like knives that are sharp, the 3-1/4-inch ceramic blade’s cutting edge is plenty of reason to own this knife. Heavy use might cause micro-chipping of the knife’s edge, but even that doesn’t greatly affect the way the Boker Plus Anti-MC cuts. Micro-chips simply cause the edge to grip a little faster. Run a finger carefully along the edge of a chert arrowhead, and you’ll get the idea quickly.

Although Boker does call this a tactical folder, the clean design and conservative blade style make this a pocket folder nearly anyone can carry. The pocket clip keeps the knife securely in place, and a lanyard hole allows owners to add a wrist loop for knife security in tricky locations. One-handed opening and integral frame lock add to its practicality.

For another ceramic cutter from Boker, see the Boker Infinity.

Find this Boker Plus Anti-MC:

JT Hats
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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