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.



Topeak Alien II Bicycle Repair Multi Tool | Bike Cycling Folding Toolkit w/ Storage Bag

1 min read

Topeak Alien II Bicycle Repair MultiThe Topeak Alien II had better be good, because it’s 10.21 ounces of steel to hang on the bike. But, with even more tools than the original Topeak Alien multi-tool, this compact toolkit could be the key to riding home instead of pushing the bike. It’s a little extra weight, but well spent.

The Topeak Alien II contains enough tools for major problems and minor adjustments. Two spoke wrenches will true the wheels (if you’re careful — some say a spoke wrench should not be in the hands of amateurs). Tire levers make fixing your own flats possible, although to do that, you’ll need to add a patch kit to the gear. Altogether you’ll have 26 important tools to choose from and be well prepared for solving your own problems, including fixing broken chains (the last reason I walked the bike home, so I need one of these myself). There’s even a storage compartment to hold two extra chain pins. Here as well, you’ll need to provide the pins yourself.

One big advantage of the Topeak Alien II is the compact storage. The kit locks together in one nearly solid chunk when folded, but the halves slip easily apart for better access to bits and blades. Folded and locked together, the toolkit slips into a tough nylon fabric storage bag. The bag includes a belt clip, but the kit is small enough — only 3.4 by 1.7 by 1.6 inches — that it fits into a cargo pouch below the bike seat with plenty of room to spare.

See the Wenger EvoGrip for a lightweight multi-tool with tools less focused on bike problems.

Find this Topeak Alien II:

 

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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