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.



Forschner Victorinox Butcher’s Knife | Professional Chefs Kitchen Cutlery, 12 Inch 40531

1 min read

Forschner Victorinox Butcher's Knife This Butcher’s Knife from R.H. Forschner Victorinox uses the same simple and reliable construction as the rest of the Victorinox line, with laser-cut high carbon stainless steel blade and tang and a rugged handle of black Fibrox. Chosen by professional chefs as well as homemakers, the Butcher’s Knife offers heavy duty slicing and an edge that lasts.

If you work with large cuts of meat, as hunters or farmers often do, you’ll need a large knife to handle the heavier work. The 12-inch blade of this butcher’s knife is large enough to quarter and divide a large carcass. The budget-conscious chef may have need of it when working with cost-cutting portions. Buying large cuts and dividing them yourself saves money, and a butcher’s knife makes clean and accurate work possible at home.

Shaped for a good grip with formed bolsters at either side of the hand, this knife handles well and won’t slip even if the handle is wet. Use a butcher’s cleaver for chopping large bones, but expect this knife to chop through small ones without damage. Instead of struggling to divide large poultry with a knife that’s too short, the 12-inch Victorinox gives you extra length and leverage and is actually safer to use.

Victorinox knives like the plain-edged butcher’s knife have the extra advantage of being easily sharpened. For everyday touch-up, a sharpening steel is all that’s required; for reworking a damaged edge, an ordinary whetstone will do. For best care of the stain-free knife, don’t put it through the dishwasher. Wash and dry the knife by hand and don’t let food dry on the blade.

Find this Forschner Victorinox Butcher’s Knife:

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...
JT Hats
1 min read

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....
JT Hats
1 min read