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.
Godfred Sword by Hanwei | Danish Viking King Replica Damascus Steel Blade w/ Leather Scabbard
56 sec read
King Godfred of the Danes ruled the Frisian Coast of Europe in 800 A.D., wielding the sword that inspired this reproduction by CAS Hanwei. The Godfred Sword from CAS Hanwei could be better than the original.
The Hanwei version uses folded steel to form the blade through a process unknown in Godfred’s day. In this modern version of Damascus steel, the hot billet folds over itself repeatedly until enough forged layers form that the steel reaches maximum strength. Thirty-four-and-3/4 inches long overall, the sword’s 28-3/4-inch, double-edged blade holds a deep central fuller which lightens the weapon without weakening the steel. Total weight of the Godfred Sword is 2 lbs. 7 oz.
The woven leather grip overlays a hardwood core surrounding the strong steel tang. Damascus pommel and bladeguard also match the original Viking design. A scabbard of hardwood covered with leather accompanies this weapon. Bronzed fittings complete the scabbard, which fits to the belt with simple leather straps and hooks.
Built for one-handed use, the sword meets or exceeds the quality of the actual weapons of King Godfred’s time. Forged at one of two Hanwei foundries in China, this Godfred sword was created by advanced modern processes and skilled hand labor. Improvements in technology and better materials allow CAS Hanwei to produce weapons of genuine combat grade with the look of the ancient swords and the higher quality of modern high carbon steel.
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.
King Godfred of the Danes ruled the Frisian Coast of Europe in 800 A.D., wielding the sword that inspired this reproduction by CAS Hanwei. The Godfred Sword from CAS Hanwei could be better than the original.
