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.



Lord Dragon Katana Sword Set by Trademark Global | Full Tang Wakizashi & Tanto w/ Display Stand

1 min read

Lord Dragon Katana Sword Set byPlace this three-sword set from Trademark Global towards the top of the list of display-only katana sword sets. Although the swords do have an anime flair, construction is solid and the design really catches the attention.

With full tang blades of 440 high carbon stainless steel, the set of three Lord Dragon display swords shouldn’t be used for cutting practice — but you will enjoy the feel of these nicely balanced blades. Arranged on the black wooden stand which accompanies the set, the swords offer inspiration for fans of gaming and anime epics as well as the sword enthusiast. Tsuba and pommel of cast brass give the swords a strong look, even though the matching grip is less solid. A sheet of embossed pressed metal wraps the wooden foundation of the handle, pinned in place securely through one side of the metal cover. Matching brass fittings on the black-lacquered wooden scabbards continue the dragon theme, but the cast brass dragon pommels steal the show.

The set will take up considerable space on the desktop with a katana 38 inches long, a wakizashi 32 inches long, and a 20-inch tanto dagger. The wooden display stand offers very little stability unless secured to a wall. Each blade shows a false hamon or tempering mark, but none of the swords includes a blood groove or hi. If you’re a stickler for traditional detail, you’ll find plenty of differences between this modern conception and the practical weapons of old Japan. This collectible sword set does meet the expectations of many modern sword collectors looking for physical weapons to match their virtual world experience.

See the Blue Samurai Katana Set from Trademark Global for another bargain-priced three-sword collectible set.

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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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