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.



Kershaw Folding Pocket Knife w/ Wood Handle | Lockback Double Cross Wharncliffe Blade

1 min read

Kershaw Folding Pocket Knife w/ WoodClassic pocket knives were nearly left behind when one-handed opening clip folders came along, even though modern clip folders lacked the grace of the old styles. Kershaw’s Double Cross combines the best features of the modern pocket folders in a familiar, classic style. This traditional pocket knife with a blade opening from either bolster offers one-handed opening and lockback for both blades.

Only 3-1/2 inches long when closed, this beautiful wood-handled pocket knife sports end bolsters of polished nickel that ride smoothly in the pocket without wearing holes in your jeans. Both the main blade, a 2-3/8-inch long clip point, and the secondary Wharncliffe blade at 1-7/8 inches open with thumb studs and allow convenient one-handed action. While the AUS6A stainless steel blades are similar in purpose, these two variations in blade style offer different approaches to common chores. Wharncliffe blades cut off cleanly due to the straight edge and are good for piercing because of the slender point. The stronger point of the clip blade and the clip’s curved cutting edge allow more accuracy in carving and shearing.

Liner locks have been standard features on classic pocket knives for some years now, but Kershaw is the first large scale manufacturer to use one liner lock to secure both blades of a pocket knife. Making that liner lock work for both blades saves weight and reduces the width of the handle. The Double Cross uses brass and stainless steel liners, as do most of the classic patterns, and is not noticeably bulkier. The weight of this versatile knife is only 2.2 ounces.

Expect other companies to mimic what Kershaw has already done with the double-locking Double Cross.

Find this Kershaw Double Cross Pocket Knife:

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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