James Gibson is a native East Tennessean. Born and raised in and around the Great Smoky Mountain area, he has a passion for the outdoors which includes hiking, hunting and fishing.  He made his first knife in 1980 and in 1998 he took a class at the American Bladesmith Society (ABS) school.  James continued his training with workshops in Handle & Guards as well as the Art of Damascus These classes were instrumental in helping him earn a a Journeyman rating in 2003 with the ABS. He is a flintknapper of 29 years and was the co-host of the Clinch River Knap-in for ten years and enjoyes attending may Knap-ins. James is an Outdoor Survival specialist with primitive skills, survival skills and bush craft skills which he has taught for over a decade.  He is also well studied in the Art of Ninjutsu and currently holds a 6th degree black belt.