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 Of the Rings Gimli Battle Axe by United Cutlery | LOTR Collectible Fantasy Replica

1 min read

Lord Of the Rings Gimli Battle Axe byA faithful reproduction of one of the main weapons wielded by Gimli son of Gloin in the movie version of The Lord of the Rings, the Battle Axe of Gimli looks like it should actually work. With twin 11-1/2-inch-wide blades of 3/8-inch-thick tool steel, even though this fantasy axe has false edges, it still shows some potential for real two-handed mayhem.

But don’t try it out on real targets, since the two steel blades are fixed to the wooden shaft through fittings of brass-plated cast metal. While the axe looks solid enough, this isn’t quite a functional design. Accurately proportioned for the shorter but more massive dwarven race, the shaft is only 37-3/4 inches long — a little too short for two-handed use by human standards but well made of polished hardwood wrapped with genuine leather. Antiqued finishing gives the axe the appearance of age and use.

According to Tolkien’s fantasy history, dwarven warriors were always prepared. Like the rest of his kin, Gimli was ready for battle at a moment’s notice and carried not just this heavy double-bladed axe, but a beard axe, a walking axe, and two throwing axes during the long campaign through Mordor. Hefting this one alone is enough to inspire a healthy respect for dwarves.

Manufactured for United Cutlery, this LOTR battle axe comes with a parchment of authenticity and a hardwood display plaque decorated with silkscreened symbols. All hardware needed for hanging the wall plaque and mounting the Axe of Gimli is included with purchase. Fans of the Lord of the Rings saga should be well satisfied with the quality of this detailed replica axe.

Find this Gimli Battle Axe:

 

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.



Hand Forged Roman Sword, Authentic Replica | Historical Gladius…

Fans of the Gladiator movie starring Russell Crowe will remember and admire this type of sword. Heavy but very efficient, the gladius became one...
JT Hats
57 sec read

CAS Hanwei Scimitar, Collectible Display | Turkish Kilij Replica…

Scimitars like this CAS Hanwei version made the mounted cavalry of Arabia some of the most feared warriors of their day. Patterned after the...
JT Hats
1 min read

Trident Fantasy Battle Spear w/ Hidden Lance | Demon…

The Demon Guardian offers two weapons in this display version of a uniquel battlefield trident. Leave it in one piece as the trident, or...
JT Hats
1 min read