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.


Jet Li Sword of the Nameless Warrior | Hero Replica Wu Min Snowflake w/ Scabbard

1 min read

Jet Li Sword of the Nameless Warrior This replica sword — a copy of the weapon wielded by Jet Li in his portrayal of the hero Nameless — transforms a fanciful design into what appears to be the real thing. The Snowflake Sword of Wu Min is unusual even among fantasy weapons, beginning with carbon steel stock a full half-inch thick.

The heavy double-edged sword is lightened only a little by the unique blood groove — a slot running nearly half the length of the blade. Materials used in this sword were chosen to closely resemble weapons of ancient China with polished hardwood scabbard, antiqued metal fittings, and leather wrappings on grip and sheath. The engraved inscription on the blade translates as “Ean Shong” or Hero. Full length of 34 inches and a sharpened blade of 24 inches give this interesting display sword functional balance, although at nearly five pounds, it’s not an easy sword to handle.

In the movie Hero, which became the highest-grossing Chinese motion picture in history when released in that country in 2002, the Snowflake Sword executed the special technique of the professional assassin called Nameless. Years of training equipped Nameless with a unique method called “Death at Ten Paces.” Within that distance of his target, Nameless was unstoppable and capable either of either infallibly killing or critically injuring his opponent.

For fans of Jet Li or fans of the movie, this sword would be a valued reminder of an excellent story and one of the best martial arts movies ever made. The sword comes with a headband which matches the one worn by Jet Li as the ancient hero.

Find this Sword of the Nameless Warrior:

 

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.


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