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.



Epicurean Cutting Board w/ Groove, Composite | Eco Friendly Cascade Gourmet Series

1 min read

Epicurean Cutting Board w/ Groove,If you thought bamboo cutting boards were “green technology,” you’ll be even more impressed by the cutting boards of the Epicurean Gourmet Series. Epicurean uses recycled and scrap materials to create cutting boards and utensils even better than those made from strictly natural components.

Looking for a natural cutting board that’s dishwasher safe? Stop looking, you won’t find one. But, the Epicurean Gourmet cutting board comes very close, combining natural fibers with epoxy resin for a classic look that goes in and out of the machine without damage.

The non-porous surface of Epicurean boards won’t harbor bacteria — a claim verified by the National Sanitary Foundation. Epicurean claims these boards also won’t dull the edges of knives as quickly as poly or wood, but you’ll have to verify that through actual use. Lighter in weight than wooden cutting boards, the Epicurean Gourmet series features a slate-grey core layer sandwiched between two surface layers with a look of natural wood. These board also include a black juice groove cut 3/8 inches deep in one side for serving, and on the reverse, a completely flat side for prep.

Originally, what went into Epicurean cutting boards were the wood scraps left over from construction of skateboard parks. Chipped and combined with food-safe epoxy resin, the waste wood made cutting boards with what Epicurean claims to be the best cutting surface available today. As demand increased and the supply of leftover bits of skateboard parks ran low, Epicurean turned to pulp wood and other sustainable natural fibers for backup raw material.

For a beautiful “green technology” cutting board with a more natural look, see the Terre Verde Bamboo Cutting Board.

Find this Epicurean Cutting Board:

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.



Electric Scissors & Knife Sharpener by Smith Abrasives |…

The Diamond Edge Pro knife and scissors sharpener from Smith Abrasives combines electric and manual sharpening systems for quick and accurate refurbishing of knives...
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Fiskars Scissors Sharpener | Shears & Scissor Blade Restoring…

You’ve probably accumulated quite a few pairs of inexpensive scissors that are too good to throw away but not sharp enough to work well....
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