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.



Military Replica Dress Sword, Marine Corps Officers | USMC Mameluke Sabre w/ Scabbard

1 min read

Military Replica Dress Sword, MarineThis replica sword is a faithfully detailed copy of the sabre carried by USMC officers since the late 1800’s. The major differences between this sword and genuine mamelukes costing several hundred dollars are the materials and production tolerances.

The replica Mameluke’s highly polished blade of 440 high carbon stainless steel carries etchings which include the phrase “United States Marines” using the same style and pattern as the genuine military issue dress sword. Fittings are plated steel rather than solid metal as in the true Marine Corps Mameluke, and the handle grip of this replica uses imitation ivory instead of the real material.

Weak points include the plating of the cross guard and the scabbard’s fittings, since wear and tear or regular polishing could eventually wear those pieces thin. Since the temper of the blade isn’t combat quality, some distortion is possible, and the fit of blade to scabbard will vary from piece to piece. Although the blade is stainless and shouldn’t need extra attention, a regular rubdown with light oil will help prevent binding in the sheath.

The replica Marine Corps Mameluke does a good job of recreating a historically important weapon now only used for ceremony. Adapted from the sabre designs of Egypt’s Mameluk warriors, who wielded similar swords in the days of the Ottoman Empire, this light and fast cavalry sword became officers’ issue for several western armies in the late 18th Century. The Mameluke’s connection to the Marine Corps began in 1804 when Prince Hamet, an Ottoman viceroy, presented First Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon with a mameluke in recognition of his heroism at the Battle of Derne during the First Barbary War. The design has changed little since its official adoption in 1825.

Find this USMC Mameluke Sword:

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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