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.
Dragon’s Lair Gil Hibben Sword w/ Display Plaque by United Cutlery | Gold Limited Edition Fantasy Collectible, Battle Ready & Functional
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In 2009, United Cutlery produced a limited run of only 1500 Gil Hibben Dragon’s Lair Gold Editions Swords, and only a few haven’t yet found their way into the hands of proud owners. Your last chance to acquire the pristine version of this gold-plated sword is coming soon.
Termed an adult collectible, the Dragon’s Lair Sword is enough weapon to require the supervision of sensible adults if it falls into the hands of a minor. Children might see it as a pretty toy, but this is 38-1/8 inches of high carbon 440 stainless steel with some of the practical details of an old fighting weapon. By ancient measures it’s a one-handed longsword, but the forward grip and extra set of parrying guards give it at least the look of a two-handed battle sword. This is more interesting than practical, since there’s no place for a second handhold up front without encountering some sharp, decorative blades.
Highly polished, the mirror-bright stainless steel sword is double-edged, but not razor-sharp, and does carry a central fullered blood groove in the spine of the blade. If skewering dragons is your favorite sport, the blood channel will make recovery of the sword a little easier. Bladeguards and pommel of the Gold Edition sword really are plated with 24K gold, not imitation, and the grip is wrapped with real leather.
Gil Hibben’s Dragon’s Lair Sword comes with a decorative wood plaque for secure wall mounting. This fine set includes a certificate of authenticity.
Find this Gil Hibben Dragon’s Lair Gold Edition Sword:
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.
In 2009, United Cutlery produced a limited run of only 1500 Gil Hibben Dragon’s Lair Gold Editions Swords, and only a few haven’t yet found their way into the hands of proud owners. Your last chance to acquire the pristine version of this gold-plated sword is coming soon.
