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.



Japanese Samurai Katana, Fully Handmade | Aluminium Iaido Sword, Lightweight Practice 634

58 sec read

Japanese Samurai Katana, Fully Handmade The secret of this beautiful katana’s amazing speed is the aluminum alloy blade. Designed for the practice of Iaido or “drawing the sword,” the Fully Handmade Aluminum katana matches the dimensions of a true combat sword but reduces the total weight by nearly a pound.

The lighter weight allows easier and faster handling, extending practice times without over-stressing wrists and arms. The polished blade does not look cheap and from even a short distance could be mistaken for stainless steel. Since aluminum lacks the strength and hardness of steel, more care will be required to use this sword properly, but unless abused it should keep its authentic look.

The unsharpened blade includes fullered hi’s or blood grooves along the spine and shows a hamon or tempering mark on the edge. The mark is only decoration, etched and polished on the metal, but does contribute to the sword’s authentic look. Fittings on the aluminum sword are cast brass, lightly polished, and show intricate patterns. White rayskin covers the hardwood handle, and a dark cotton cord ito adds the traditional grip. Black piano lacquer covers and preserves the wooden scabbard. Made with the same care as Fully Handmade’s steel katanas, the sword can be disassembled for maintenance or repair. You’ll find a maker’s signature etched into the metal tang.

Protect this iaido katana in transit with the black cloth carrying case that comes with the sword. For more long-term storage, the company provides a tube-shaped box. Both the aluminum blade and the highly polished scabbard could accumulate scratches if you’re not careful.

See the Hanwei Tsuru for an Iaito sword made from stainless steel.

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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