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.



Cold Steel Pistol Grip Sword Cane | Carbon Fiber Shaft | Self Defense Walking Stick

56 sec read

Cold Steel Pistol Grip Sword Cane The 37-5/8″ Cold Steel Pistol Grip Sword Cane looks just like the Pistol Grip City Stick but holds a 25-3/4 inch carbon steel spike in the hollow carbon fiber shaft. A thumb push on the release button and a firm pull on the cast stainless steel pistol grip separates sword from sheath. This cane sword handles like a fencing foil, precise and deadly.

The sword’s carbon fiber sheath uses that modern material to cut weight and add strength to what once was a frail design. Old wooden sword canes were easily broken, weakened by the hollow core. This unbreakable carbon fiber shaft is strong enough to use for self defense by itself, making this a practical item for non-lethal situations.

The Pistol Grip Sword Cane’s sword blade of square steel tapers to a thin spike tip. The 1055 spring steel sword isn’t designed for slashing or chopping, although the thin steel would do crude damage if used in that way. The sword’s tough temper allows parrying and flexing without damage to the blade. Piercing thrusts are the basic movement of this weapon — the strong spike will run through a four-inch wooden post.

A safety lock secures the sword to the shaft until intentionally released, making the sheathed weapon useful as a lashing solid whip or a heavy club depending upon which end strikes the target. One of the most practical Cold Steel designs, the Pistol Grip Sword Cane makes an excellent hiking pole. The smoothly polished and efficient grip fits the hand comfortably without any rough edges that could wear blisters on long treks.

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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