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.


Butterfly Knife Training by Ellington Manufacturing | Martial Arts Balisong Practice

1 min read

Butterfly Knife Training by EllingtonThis inexpensive mock butterfly knife by Ellington Manufacturing is designed only for safe training. Construction is similar in weight and action to the real thing, but durability is minimal. Still, balisong adepts need to start somewhere, and this simple and safe trainer is that set of “training wheels” you’ll need. Before you wear it out, you should have acquire the skill needed to use the real butterfly knife well.

The overall length of 8-3/4 inches when open includes an unsharpened 3-3/4 inch steel blade. Handle components are all metal, and the total weight of nearly five ounces is about average for a pocket balisong. Fittings are designed to be tightened with an allen wrench and should be checked before practicing or whenever you notice a loose feeling to the trainer. The Ellington trainer isn’t bulletproof, but it is built of durable components and will survive drops that might crack parts on other less rugged trainers.

Don’t expect playing with this mock knife to be as satisfying as operating the real thing. Using it could save you some painful lessons, though. In most martial arts, students begin with mock weapons that approximate the weight and feel of the genuine item. Practicing with a safe version paves the way for genuine skill.

Find this Butterfly Training Knife:

Find this knife on eBay:

[phpbay]butterfly knife training, 2[/phpbay]Butterfly Knife Training by EllingtonThis inexpensive mock butterfly knife by Ellington Manufacturing is designed only for safe training. Construction is similar in weight and action to the real thing, but durability is minimal. Still, balisong adepts need to start somewhere, and this simple and safe trainer is that set of “training wheels” you’ll need. Before you wear it out, you should have acquire the skill needed to use the real butterfly knife well.

The overall length of 8-3/4 inches when open includes an unsharpened 3-3/4 inch steel blade. Handle components are all metal, and the total weight of nearly five ounces is about average for a pocket balisong. Fittings are designed to be tightened with an allen wrench and should be checked before practicing or whenever you notice a loose feeling to the trainer. The Ellington trainer isn’t bulletproof, but it is built of durable components and will survive drops that might crack parts on other less rugged trainers.

Don’t expect playing with this mock knife to be as satisfying as operating the real thing. Using it could save you some painful lessons, though. In most martial arts, students begin with mock weapons that approximate the weight and feel of the genuine item. Practicing with a safe version paves the way for genuine skill.

Find this Butterfly Training Knife:

Find this knife on eBay:

[phpbay]butterfly knife training, 2[/phpbay]

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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