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 Rajah II Knife by Andrew Demko | Kukri Nepal Replica w/ Grivory Handle

1 min read

Cold Steel Rajah II Knife by AndrewThe six-inch blade of the Rajah II serves either as a camp knife or a brush chopping bush knife with enough weight and size for effective work. Built in the style of the famous Gurkha kukri, this design by Andrew Demko adds modern materials and Cold Steel’s high-tech features to one of the favorite knives of Nepal.

Unfolded, this 14-inch-long knife of AUS8 high carbon stainless steel feels almost like a machete but is small enough for finer work around camp. Equally good at slashing or piercing, the kukri puts the weight in the forward half of the blade for a more deadly impact. For light chores, the Raja II works like a small camp axe, but the reverse curve of the plain-edged blade is much better at slicing. Draw a rope or seat belt across the recurve and it pulls the blade deeper into the cut. The knife works quickly but with an edge you can maintain with a honing slip.

In the Rajah II, Grivory handle grips add strength and durability equal to metal without adding unnecessary weight. Developed for the high stresses and temperatures of automotive applications, the Grivory forms an efficient shape that lends itself well to many grip styles. The Rajah II even works well reversed in an underhand grip. Pressure on a thumb plate swings the blade open and locks the knife blade in working position. An improved Tri-Ad lock shifts strain from the blade to the stainless steel liners of the handle through a strong locking pin.

The Rajah II’s pocket clip mounts to either side of the grip so owners can configure the knife for either right or left-hand deployment. The long handle of the Rajah II won’t fit the pocket well, but the clip allows mounting the knife directly on the belt.

Try the S&W Search and Rescue Kukri if you’re looking for a dependable fixed blade based on the same concept.

Find this Cold Steel Rajah II:

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.



Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pack | Cody Lundin…

Designed by Doug Ritter of “Equipped to Survive,” the Adventure Medical Kits Pocket Survival Pak earned positive reviews from survival instructor Cody Lundin and...
JT Hats
1 min read

Buck X-Tract Multi-tool, One Handed | Lockback Combo Edge…

Multi-purpose gear for hikers, backpackers, and other outdoorsmen gets better every year. If you make the Buck 731 X-Tract LED Multi-Tool part of your...
JT Hats
1 min read

Leatherman Super Tool 300 New | Stainless Steel Locking…

Leatherman’s back with an even stronger version of the original Leatherman Super Tool. The Super Tool 300 Multi-tool offers the strongest pair of multi-tool...
Sharon
1 min read