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.



Sword of Fury and Might w/ Collectors Display | Medieval Wizard Fantasy Longsword

57 sec read

Sword of Fury and Might w/ CollectorsIf you’re a wizard looking for a good sword that’s bargain priced, or even if you’re a sword collector with a penchant for interesting weapons of good quality, check out the Wizard’s Medieval Sword of Fury and Might. While its origins are speculative (I’ve not been able to match the pattern to video game weapons or movie swords of note), the sword itself is well made.

Materials are what you’d expect from a fantasy sword. The 46-inch longsword is high carbon stainless steel and not tempered for combat or target hitting. While the build of the sword is solid, the bladeguard of cast metal and the rubberized grip might not withstand much abuse. What makes the weapon interesting is the professional way these common materials were shaped and put together.

The sword uses a sturdy rat-tail tang handle design, which ends in a decorative pommel of solid metal. The spiral pattern on the black grip offers firm control as well as an unusual and appropriate look. Designs cast into the bladeguard include a “Green Man” portrait with jade-like eyes (undoubtedly of glass but still nicely done). The wizard sword’s 34-inch blade is very nicely shaped and polished with a slender symmetrical leaf point form and a central, fullered blood groove. Edges are accurately tapered but not sharpened. Although there’s no sheath, the sword does come with a simple wooden wall plaque for easy and secure display.

Many movie replica swords have not been manufactured this well. With its subdued ornamentation and streamlined design, this collector’s blade could be of interest to more than the wizards among us.

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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