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.
SOG Hand Axe, Small Camp Ax w/ G-10 Handle | Specialty Knife & Tool Black Oxide F09-N
54 sec read
This lightweight camp axe from SOG Specialty Knife and Tool cuts weight down to sensible levels and still performs reliably and well. Ground from one piece of high carbon 420 stainless steel, there’s not much in this axe to break so you won’t need to worry about repairs.
G-10 handle slabs bolted to the steel tang give a solid grip and provide finger notches for extra security. Overall weight of 18.6 ounces is light enough for backpacking and justifiable if you plan to stay for a while. The 11.1-inch-long axe provides 2.4 inches of cutting edge and handles small chopping chores well. A black oxide finish gives the axe a tactical look, and a nylon belt sheath makes it easy to carry or to stow in other gear.
While it’s a good axe, small camp axes don’t handle every type of camp work. This axe is only 0.186 inches thick, so the back of the axe head won’t drive stakes efficiently. The short handle places your fingers in close proximity to anything you’re hacking, so be careful that you don’t smash your fingers if you’re chipping a notch in a large log or splitting some kindling for the fire.
Hardened only to Rockwell 51 to 53, the axe edge is tough but will need sharpening frequently. The F09-N Hand Axe was forged in China to SOG’s specifications.
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 lightweight camp axe from SOG Specialty Knife and Tool cuts weight down to sensible levels and still performs reliably and well. Ground from one piece of high carbon 420 stainless steel, there’s not much in this axe to break so you won’t need to worry about repairs.
