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.



Bud K Celtic Spear w/ Clyde Caldwell Art Print | Fantasy Savage Pole Weapon Collectible

1 min read

Bud K Celtic Spear w/ Clyde CaldwellDefinitely a nice display piece for those interested in fantasy weaponry, the Savage Celtic Spear from Bud K. appears too advanced to be truly savage. The worksmanship is artistic, not crude nor functional.

Pole arms must be one of the most difficult of the old weapons to duplicate well today — or at least to ship economically. A single shaft of straight-grained hardwood still ranks as the best handle material for quality long arms. This replica with black aluminum shaft and decorative Celtic cross-shaped spearhead must disassemble for shipping. That’s the primary weak point — any other weak points pale compared to it.

Re-assembled with a cast metal spacer threaded in the joint, the shaft of this six-foot spear is sturdy if you can resist testing it much. For display or for more ceremonial uses, the spear is well made and has an authentic look — at least in New Age Celtic terms. The spearhead resembles Celtic weapons from gaming history more than any counterpart from old Europe. No one skimped on steel in this spearhead of 440 stainless steel. Cut from one plate of high carbon alloy, the blade reaches 15 inches in length with a strong tang reinforced by cast metal ornamental fittings. Central to the design is the Celtic cross medallion fastened to the hub of the main blade and two smaller axe-blade wings. The lower end of the spear’s shaft holds a cast metal spiked pommel.

An 18-inch by 24-inch collectible art print by fantasy artist Clyde Caldwell is included with the Savage Celtic Spear and shows the weapon in the hand of a savage warrior princess.

Find this Bud K Celtic Spear:

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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