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.
Spyderco Military Folding Clip Knife | Digital Camouflage or Orange C36GPCMOBK
1 min read
Although Spyderco’s Military Digital Camouflage Knife was designed for military users, it’s one of Spyderco’s best choices for civilians as well, with a rugged build and special features other Spyderco lightweights lack. Anyone interested in a dependable folding clip knife should give this one a look.
Thumb stud opening systems sometimes threaten to carve off the side of your thumb if there’s a little grit in the mechanism. The steel loop of the Spyderco camo knife is a much better method, holding the tip of the thumb securely for smooth and safe opening every time. Keeping the interior of a one-hand opening folder clean often is difficult, especially with a skeletonized build. Spyderco’s Military Camo knife uses a solid frame and reduces those problems with a more protective design. No modern clip knife works well if it’s filled with hay or sand or gummed up with the leftovers of a hunting expedition. With maintenance in mind, Spyderco designed the Military Camo knife with spacers that allow better access to the inside of the handle. Debris is visible and easily removed.
The shape of the 5-1/2-inch handle provides plenty of hand security, and the G-10 slabs were engineered for a non-slip grip. An open length of 9-1/2 inches includes 4 inches of dependable, corrosion-resistant CPM S30V high carbon steel, enough knife for any common task. The secure liner lock gives the Military Camo knife much of the strength of a small fixed blade but releases easily for quick return to the pocket. Only 4.25 ounces in weight, this knife adapts to camping and hiking needs perfectly and makes a good choice for the handyman also.
What impresses me the least is the digital camouflage, of little use in a folding knife bound for the pocket and only increasing the chances you won’t find it if you drop it in the woods or the desert sand. Fortunately, this knife is also available in easily spotted orange.
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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Although Spyderco’s Military Digital Camouflage Knife was designed for military users, it’s one of Spyderco’s best choices for civilians as well, with a rugged build and special features other Spyderco lightweights lack. Anyone interested in a dependable folding clip knife should give this one a look.
