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.
From Valiant Armoury of Grapevine, Texas, the Praetorian Sword was hand-forged in the Philippines in the style of the Roman Legion’s Praetorian Guard main weapon: the gladius. This particular model takes inspiration from the Mainz gladius, which developed after that Roman camp was founded in Moguntiacum in 13 B.C. This sword is actually more interesting than the story. Although it isn’t rated as a combat sword — Valiant produces cutting grade swords as well as collectible replicas — the Praetorian shows considerable quality and detail while not exactly matching the ancient pattern.
Macassar ebony rings alternate with brass to create the bold look of the grip and pommel. The three-pound weight certainly gives the Praetorian the feel of a real weapon, even though the leaf-point blade arrives unsharpened. Designed in an age when bronze and iron ruled the battlefield, this sword forged in modern steel would impress even the warriors of the old days.
Take extra care to properly oil and maintain the sword, because Valiant uses no stainless steel in this gladius. The Praetorian is hand forged from high carbon steel that darkens with age and use. Most manufacturers have shifted away from that towards the stainless alloys, but now that the new has worn off the idea many now promote their steel as stain-free — rustable, but shiny. Many of the old high carbon alloys were rust-resistant with proper care and held an excellent edge. A good sword needs to come down from the wall now and then, even if just for a polish.
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.
From Valiant Armoury of Grapevine, Texas, the Praetorian Sword was hand-forged in the Philippines in the style of the Roman Legion’s Praetorian Guard main weapon: the gladius. This particular model takes inspiration from the Mainz gladius, which developed after that Roman camp was founded in Moguntiacum in 13 B.C. This sword is actually more interesting than the story. Although it isn’t rated as a combat sword — Valiant produces cutting grade swords as well as collectible replicas — the Praetorian shows considerable quality and detail while not exactly matching the ancient pattern.
