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.


Final Fantasy Nodachi Sword, Prettz Legend of the Crystals | Long 67.5 Inch Blade w/ Scabbard by Trademark Global

1 min read

Final Fantasy Nodachi Sword, PrettzIf you’re a fan of the Final Fantasy story, you may recognize the Trademark Nodachi Sword. This hefty weapon was the favorite of the story’s main character, Prettz. If you haven’t seen the story, VHS may be your only chance to see “The Legend of the Crystals” in the U.S.

Prettz, the nodachi-wielding and bomb-throwing motorcyclist who’s the hero of this four-part saga, makes short work of enemies with this powerful blade. Based on an old infantry weapon from Japan, the 67-1/2-inch nodachi matches the weapon in the movie only in appearance. The orange and black woven grip and colorful yellow tassel conceal construction of decorative quality — not the full tang often advertised. To ease shipping and manufacturing difficulties, the Final Fantasy Nodachi was manufactured in two pieces which thread together using aluminum fittings. Lacking a full length tang, final weight of the weapon drops by about two pounds compared to stouter versions.

Although it’s good enough for display, the fittings won’t hold up to impacts and prevent any serious swordplay. The nodachi’s 38-inch blade slips into a black scabbard with a three-inch-wide hand-crafted tsuba.

Released on DVD in Japan, the four-part Legend of the Crystals takes place five hundred years after the original setting of the Final Fantasy story. The new saga keeps many of the old concepts but presents them in new ways. You’ll recognize creatures like the chocobos, but don’t expect the same old thing.

If you’re interested in a nodachi that does have strong full tang construction, see the Trademark Full Tang Nodachi.

Find this Final Fantasy Nodachi Sword:

Find this sword on eBay:

[phpbay]Final Fantasy Nodachi Sword, 2[/phpbay]

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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