Bladerigger Origins...

[MrG]

Just wondering...

How did James Piorek get his start? Does he still have the first knife he ever made? Who are his favorite makers? What knife does he carry? Does he use all the products that he makes? What is his favorite carry system? What was the very FIRST system he made, and who has it? Does Mr. Piorek train, and in what art?

Like I said, I was just wondering, cause I LOVE all his stuff, and I KNOW a lot of you do too. Also, has Mr. Piorek ever considered making a folding knife? Can you imagine a folding Jashido Compact?! How cool would THAT be? Or a folding Kozuka?

Also, why are all his products named with a "V"(V-Gar, V-Stat, etc.)?

Whew, that's a lot of questions!

 

You know, I've been dealing with James for a while now, and I don't know the answers to any of these questions either. If you ever get a chance to talk to him, please do. He's really friendly and very open.

Zog

 

[Missing Link]

I think James traces his knife-making roots to a hobbie that he was pretty good at. He decided to give it a shot as business, and Blade Rigger was born (1987?). He broke into the industry through the "back door" of harnessing systems, which are still unparallelled in practical effective personal security, and once in the door, made a name for himself as a premier blade system manufacturer.

I don't think that James has a favorite, and if he did, he'd never admit it (just like a parent would never admit having a favorite child). These systems literally are James' babies

He does use his tools, and whenever he comes out with a new one he's like a kid with a new toy. He wears it around, draws from it, and basically beta-tests it himself to make sure that everything is perfect... The great thing about James is that even though he's made hundreds of knives, he is excited about every single blade he makes. He really enjoys his work.

The "V" in the names indicates systems that utilize Velcro. The "V" in V-Gar and V-Belt refers to the earliest versions of both respective items, which relied on velcro for "micro-size adjustments.

I know that other people have talked to James, and probably know more specifics than do I. Please... weigh in.

I do hope to see James featured in more magazine articles; I think he is definitely deserving!

Jed

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[This message has been edited by Missing Link (edited 01 September 1999).]

 

[Don Rearic]

I know through conversations with James that he has a background in the Fillipino Martial Arts and probably a firm grounding in some Japanese Arts as well, as do I. I guess that is why we get along!

I always thought the "V" Prefix meant for Very fast, Very invisible, Very effective and Very sharp...I am being facetious, maybe...all those descriptions fit!

A JSP Folder? I just got off the phone with James a few minutes ago and we were discussing the weakness of the folder vs. the fixed blade...we were discussing the Chris Reeve Sebenza and the REKAT Rolling Lock and how they have taken the folder to its' zenith of strength...we were just yacking and he suggested a few things, and I said, "Why don't YOU make one then?" The response was, "I do not really have the time Don..." And when you look at all the fine equipment that pours out of his shop, and he is always designing, manufacturing or testing something...you begin to see that James wishes there were about 40 hours in the day...everything I have from James works as intended, PLUS, does some things that James never intended...this takes an immense amount of time and I can clearly see how he runs out of time daily...

I love this stuff!!!

 

[MrG]

First of all, thanks for all the replies

I just got the all black Bandando...dudes, this is one sweet weapon/sweatrag/hankerchief/fashion accessory! And just like all of James's stuff, who the hell knows it's a weapon?! It's a bandana, for God's sake! I stuck a size C battery in the stash pocket and snapped at a cardboard box...HUGE hole! Another snap, and on the return the battery hit me in the thigh by accident....HUGE bruise! OUCH!!!

So...I feel kind of silly I couldn't figure out the "V" thing...duh, VELCRO. I still want to know what knife does James carry, personally. And who his influences are, and where does he see JSP 10 years from now.

And you KNOW a folding JSP knife HAS to be coming...

BTW, how about a JSP backpack, with a manrikigarrote stored in one of the shoulder straps, a blade on the bottom, and maybe a harness for a Wang Bo stick on the side...?

Whew again! Let me wipe my sweat with my Bandando...

 

[Attila]

MrG:

James carries a custom Doshido with a shark skin laminated sheath on an execulite tm shoulder harness. I had a chance to scope it out in Atlanta when we were hanging out. Sweet knife! I also have a custom Doshido, but mine is single edged while James's is double. I think I'm gonna send mine to him soon to give it a double edge & also get another sheath for it, a black manta ray laminated one ^_^



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Attila

 

[Colin Thompson]

MrG,

I carry the Manrikigarrote in its velcro belt pouch on a CamelBak shoulder strap when cycling. I think it would be simple to adapt this carry method to most backpacks.