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.
Case Mother of Pearl Commemorative Pocket Knife, Popular Mechanics Award | Collectible Slimlock Damascus 05170 8173L BG-42
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Model 05170 in the W.R. Case Slimlock series features real mother-of-pearl handle slabs and a BG-42 high carbon stainless steel blade. Be sure to order by model number, since Case manufactures seven different versions of this commemorative knife — each with different types of handle materials.
Designed to pay tribute to Case’s company founder, John Russell Case, the Damascus steel version of this fine pocket folder won Popular Mechanics’ Editor’s Choice Award in 2007. Case continues to make the knife in the BG-42 steel version, taper ground and polished to perfection. Tempered to HRC60, the alloy steel holds an edge well and sharpens easily. Other fittings in the knife are equally well made. The pivot bearing tension adjusts with a screw found in the nickel silver bolster, guaranteeing proper one-handed opening even as the knife ages. The drop point blade snaps into open position with a solidly built stainless steel liner lock.
Although the knife is pocket-sized — 3-1/2 inches when closed — this is a fairly heavy knife for pocket carry. Weighing 6.8 ounces, the Slimlock feels like a fixed blade and rides much easier in the leather carrying sheath that Case provides.
In 2007, John Sullivan — Case Director of Marketing — called the Slimlock “the finest, most modern pocket folder ever offered by Case.” That may still be true, at least in terms of “gentleman’s knives.”
For another modern pocket knife from W.R. Case & Sons, see the Case Stag Trapperlock.
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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Model 05170 in the W.R. Case Slimlock series features real mother-of-pearl handle slabs and a BG-42 high carbon stainless steel blade. Be sure to order by model number, since Case manufactures seven different versions of this commemorative knife — each with different types of handle materials.
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