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.



Wenger Tool Chest Watchmaker Pocketknife | Swiss Army Micro Knife Tool 16109

1 min read

Wenger Tool Chest WatchmakerThe Wenger Micro Tool Chest Watchmaker’s Knife could also find a place in the pocket of any technician who works with precision parts. Although the tool set is designed specifically for work on watches, the scale of the tools could fit the world of micro-electronics as well.

If you collect unusual knives, you’ll certainly be interested in this one. The 3.5-inch-long pocket folder holds twelve different tools with 19 possible applications. Nine of the tools are sized for micro-tech functions. Only a few of the multi-function blades are included in other Wenger Swiss Army multi-tools.

You’ll recognize items like the corkscrew, bottle opener, awl, and knife blade, but beyond the familiar basics it’s a new tool set completely. There’s a blade for opening the back of a watch’s case, a mineral crystal magnifying lens for focusing on tiny problems, a spring lifter and wire bender, and a set of miniature pin punches. The basic high carbon stainless steel knife blade’s 2.5-inch plain edge solves all sorts of ordinary problems, and the large combination bottle opener and flat blade screwdriver locks in place for tougher jobs. You’ll also find the indispensable tweezers and plastic toothpick in this technician’s knife, and you’re certain to need them.

Wenger’s ergonomic handle design prevents slips and sits comfortable in the hand, but one of the main advantages is that the streamlined grip simply looks good. The micro tool chest from Wenger fits the pocket neatly, and the stainless steel key ring allows users to rig a wrist loop for extra security.

For a more rugged multi-tool designed for the average user, see the Wenger Evo-Grip.

Find this Wenger Micro Tool Chest:

 

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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