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.
Grimmjow Jeagerjaques Katana, Arrancar Army | Bleach Anime Zanpakuto Sword, Full Tang Blue
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This reproduction of the personal katana of Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, an evolved hollow or demon from the Japanese manga series Bleach, faithfully reproduces the details of the ordinary version of Grimmjow’s magical sword. When the sword of this high-ranking member of the Army of Arrancar does transform, it changes Grimmjow as well.
The sword’s tsuba matches the crooked S of the katana shown in the series, and the scabbard and grip of the weapon are replicated in the correct blue color of Grimmjow’s ordinary or physical weapon. Tsuba and pommel are cast metal with an antique bronze finish. The sword shows the traditional full tang construction with hardwood handle and hardwood sheath. The 41-inch-long, 440 high carbon stainless steel katana provides 27 inches of un-sharpened cutting edge. A woven blue cord ito overlies the simulated white rayskin covering of the handle. Although the sword is an accurate reproduction of the anime weapon, it’s built for display purposes only.
Grimmjow’s sword plays less of an active role in the combat than most of the Bleach weapons, since Grimmjow prefers fighting hand-to-hand. In response to Grimmjow’s battle cry or shikai, the katana changes Grimmjow into a panther-like human protected by white armor. Blades protrude from his forearms and calves, his teeth grow long and sharp, and claws develop on his hands and feet. In addition to the physical changes, Grimmjow acquires special spiritual combat powers.
See the Kisuke Urahara Katana for an example of a different magical weapon from Bleach.
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.
This reproduction of the personal katana of Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, an evolved hollow or demon from the Japanese manga series Bleach, faithfully reproduces the details of the ordinary version of Grimmjow’s magical sword. When the sword of this high-ranking member of the Army of Arrancar does transform, it changes Grimmjow as well.
