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.
Kershaw Indian Ford Gentleman’s Pocket Knife | Folding Lockback Stainless Steel Rosewood Handle
1 min read
The Kershaw Indian Ford combines useful modern features with a look that reminds us a little of the classic barlow pocket knife. The traditional look isn’t all there is to the Indian Ford — this modern gentleman’s pocket knife has some of the quality of larger and more dangerous blades.
Not too many years ago, lockback knives were looked upon with suspicion, but it didn’t take long for that idea to become standard on every knife large enough to mimic a fixed blade. Gentlemen’s pocket knives like the Indian Ford didn’t adopt the new idea until much later. The blade of the Indian Ford opens with the familiar thumb notch — still one of the best opener concepts for the civilian pocket — and locks into place with a strong frame lock. Press the notch at the base of the handle to release the blade. In design, the Kershaw Indian Ford still seems ahead of the trends with a look taken from the best new tactical builds. The appearance is clean and modern with satin-finished stainless steel handle components and inserts of traditional South American rosewood.
The Indian Ford’s spear point blade of AUS 6A high carbon stainless steel doesn’t match the quality of larger tactical blades, but the steel is certainly good enough for the light-duty work the 2-5/8 inch blade was designed to do. The blade style handles nearly every ordinary task well.
With no pocket clip, the 3-1/2 inch Indian Ford lays at the bottom of the pocket like a knife from a generation ago. It’s comfortable to use and won’t wear a hole in your pants, as some other modern knives are apt to do. The weight of 2.7 ounces isn’t ultra-lite, but it’s weight well spent on a well-built tool.
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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The Kershaw Indian Ford combines useful modern features with a look that reminds us a little of the classic barlow pocket knife. The traditional look isn’t all there is to the Indian Ford — this modern gentleman’s pocket knife has some of the quality of larger and more dangerous blades.
