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.
Ka-Bar Besh Boga Neck Knife, Titanium Nitride | Womens Self Defense Dagger by Brent Breshara
1 min read
The Ka-Bar Besh BOGA Neck Knife is the production version of a women’s self defense knife designed by Canadian Special Ops soldier Brent Breshara. The Besh BOGA features Breshara’s unusual “Besh Wedge” point — a strong design which puts a third cutting edge on the dagger’s chisel-shaped tip.
Made in China from 3Cr13 high carbon stainless steel, the cutting edge of the knife is hardened only to HRC54-56 — enough for a sharp cutting edge but demanding regular upkeep if well-used. The one-piece knife provides the bare minimum needed for a last-ditch defense. Breshara’s acronym for the knife, “BOGA,” stands for “Back Off — Get Away!” That’s the real purpose of the knife — presenting just enough threat to deter an undecided attacker.
Only 5-1/2 inches long, the Besh BOGA is completely titanium-nitride coated for extra corrosion resistance and weighs just 1.5 ounces. A short handle and single finger choil provide a minimal grip behind the two-inch-long cutting edge. The Besh Wedge point gives the tip of the knife extra strength, but the handle design of the Besh BOGA doesn’t make this a good piercing tool. Owners may find the fingernail file built into the blade’s spine to be the most frequently used part of the knife.
Ka-Bar offers three carrying options with the knife and its ABS plastic friction-fit sheath. Wear it with the belt clip, or the Velcro arm bands, or around the neck (inverted) from the 550 neck cord.
Try the Folts Minimalist Neck Knife from CRKT if you want an ultra-light last resort knife of better quality.
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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The Ka-Bar Besh BOGA Neck Knife is the production version of a women’s self defense knife designed by Canadian Special Ops soldier Brent Breshara. The Besh BOGA features Breshara’s unusual “Besh Wedge” point — a strong design which puts a third cutting edge on the dagger’s chisel-shaped tip.
