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.
Fantasy Anime Ninja Sword Display, Full Tang w/ Black Scabbard | Secret Agent Machete by True Swords
1 min read
Since the Secret Agent Black Fantasy Sword looks somewhat like a machete, owners of this interesting anime weapon are often tempted to use it like one. That it has done a fairly good job of that speaks well of this unusual fantasy sword.
A black cord-wrapped full tang grip and black finish on the heat-treated blade of this 27-inch-long, machete-style short sword give the Secret Agent an anime ninja look. This resembles no genuine ninja sword, though some with a similar appearance have been portrayed in ninja stories. When anime weapons transfer to the real world, the result is often disappointing, but this particular fantasy blade came across with a pleasing amount of strength as well as an interestingly barbaric look. There’s a serrated concave section for sawing through real rope and slashing imaginary cables, and a slender dagger point for stabbing. Even without a careful sharpening, this is a dangerous weapon.
First at risk is the black nylon scabbard, which would be practical enough for another blade style — but not for this pointy sword. The dagger point snags the flexible sheath on entry, a design problem that’s sure to quickly create a few new holes. Sling it over your back for convenient carrying and rapid deployment, but unsling it before you slide the blade home again.
Produced by True Swords, the Secret Agent Black Fantasy Full Tang Sword isn’t entirely practical, but is better in real terms than most fantasy weapons. If you need a machete, buy a real machete — this is an eyecatcher built for the wall, and built accidentally better than it should be.
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.
Since the Secret Agent Black Fantasy Sword looks somewhat like a machete, owners of this interesting anime weapon are often tempted to use it like one. That it has done a fairly good job of that speaks well of this unusual fantasy sword.
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