Hello All,
I have posted this before but in case you have not seen it, here's some background info on the design from Kelly Worden...
RL
THE WORDEN FIGHTER
WORTAC 1 FOLDER
THE TACTICAL ADVANTAGE
by Kelly S. Worden
A SPECIAL EDGE
Personal expression is a rare commodity in today's world, that is unless you are referring to the craft of custom knife making. In our industry no statement could be further from the truth. State to state, or shore to shining shore, the American knife industry stands on its own. Independent, creative and technically progressive.
Custom knives, much like a fine wine, require time and special attention to detail. Rarely do you see true custom knives identically duplicated by other makers. To the trained eye each knife is uniquely different. Attention to detail is the defining key. In an effort to gain personal independence, individual makers create knife designs and blade styles that consolidate their idea of what is functional for the task at hand.
SHARE THE WEALTH
As an avid knife collector and edged weapon instructor I have provided insight and knife design modifications for several makers to further enhance product appearance or tactical functions. Without a doubt, custom knife shows provide the best opportunity to exchange design ideas and to see what's new in our industry.
In attendance at the 1998 Eugene Oregon Knife Show I bumped into low profile legend "Pat Crawford." Pat has been an inspiration and a key maker of tactical knives for a long time. Listing every dynamic cutlery creation in Pat's history would take to much time, besides you only have to "feel" one Crawford knife to comprehend the quality and craftsmanship invested in each unique piece.
Pat Crawford has left his mark in the field of serious tactical knives, currently tactical folders. A quick thumb through the Crawford full color catalog reveals an array of custom offerings Pat and son, Wes, have developed and produced over the years. I think it is save to say, all of Pat and Wes Crawford's bladed products possess the sleek appearance and dynamic quality not found in factory or production knives. Crawford's experience in matching material composition for custom knives is remarkable. Pat believes high tech titanium offers a lightweight durability not indicative of other alloys.
Titanium knife frames, handles, and liners provide a serious corrosion resistant body guaranteed to endure the riggers of time, use, and abuse. After a short conversation, I reluctantly handed Pat a fixed blade I had personally made and designed to accommodate the multi-dimensional needs of civilian, police and military edged weapon tactics. To my surprise Pat viewed my crude little attempt with great interest and didn't even chuckle once. Long story short, a couple of weeks later I shipped the prototype to Crawford Knives in West Memphis, Arkansas.
PROFESSIONAL EDGE
Without much fanfare, in a window of about three months, Pat and Wes Crawford delivered the first Worden Tactical Folder, the "Wortac 1". Wortac 1 is an acronym that stands for Worden's Optimal Response Tactics and the numeral 1 represents the importance of tactics in personal defense. The Wortac 1 is an impressive and versatile personal carry folder that embraces modern technology with historical function and design. Simply described, the Wortac 1 is a large lightweight sub-hilt, pistol grip tactical folder.
Pat Crawford outfitted the Wortac 1 with a 3.9 inch flat ground ATS 34 blade. Additional features include a re-curve blade with a deep belly depth of 1 1/2 inches. A subtle taper drop point tip compliments the grind lines and overall appearance of the non-glare bead-blasted tactical blade. The handle length is a full 5 1/2 inches long and 3/4ths of an inch in thickness. Super sleek user friendly body lines embrace the classic gambler style pistol grip Micarta scale handle. The drop butt handle allows for a no-nonsense comfortable grip equally secure when held in standard, sabre or reverse grip. Seriously impressive is the ease of transition when manipulating the Wortac 1 from grip to grip. Stability and control of the cutting edge is impeccable going from slash to point, or implementing support strikes with the butt of the handle.
HIGH SPEED LOW DRAG
An important element of convenience is multi carry options. Three options offer a deployment advantage extremely functional for almost every personal carry situation. The pocket clip, carry option #1 is a given for most folders. On this particular model the pocket clip is attached with machined set screws close to the blade tang and resting securely on the black micarta scales. This clip mount mandates the blade tip is pointing down when being carried in a pocket or the waistband position. Acquisition and drawing are easily referenced with blade deployment assisted by ambidextrous thumb studs. Additionally the smooth blade opening
THIS DRAW IS FAST!!
Multi-carry option #2 is an inside the pants quick release fixed blade concealex sheath. Designed and manufactured by Bladetech to offer the user fixed blade speed to decrease crucial lag time when tactical situations demand immediate deployment. Thisoption is extremely important when environmental threats are obvious yet unavoidable.
WORK OR RELAX TACTICALLY
Option#3 - When a working knife is needed and the threat of self defense isn't an issue, the convenience of a nylon belt holster may be the choice of wear. Also distributed by Bladetech the nylon pouch mounts to the users belt and the knife is secured by a quick release velcro flap offering a comfortable and acceptable addition to the Wortac 1 tactical carry systems.
DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR KNIFECRAFT
Knife combatives cover a hugh spectrum of lethal maneuvers as well as levels of intent. Most importantly we should not forget our position in the eyes of the law. The level of force implemented to detour the aggressor will be in direct reflection to the depth of our personal responsibilities. Conversely knife tactics require defensive options. Wortac 1 is designed to implement a multitude of striking variables from fist load, to striking knife with blade deployed, to the lethal phases of slash and thrust combination tactics. The classical pistol grip design nestles deeply into the palm allowing for a tightly secured fistload with just enough body handle protruding from both ends of the fist to implement serious support strikes.
Held in reverse grip with the blade extended, the base of the fist rests directly against the grooved thumb ramp ensuring a firm grip. A reinforced position is achieved by pressing the thumb down on the handle butt and contracting the little finger deeply into the sub-hilt finger choil.
A sub-hilt fighter is deployed with a sabre grip using four simultaneous actions to execute snap cuts or go to point. The sub-hilt choil is a half circle arc that forms a 60 degree finger wedge separating the index finger from the middle finger to create an interactive thumb and forefinger action for blade manipulations.
The action is best described in segments: 1) Begin with a snapping wrist extension that drives the thumb forward on the thumb ramp; 2) Simultaneously squeezing the index finger quickly into the choil; 3) Contracting the lower fingers of the fist to tighten and secure the body handle into the palm; 4)Extend or retract to control weapon range while snapping the wrist downward for blade edge engagement. Additional body components are implemented in an actual engagement, beginning with elbow position rotations that add snap and speed to the movement. Body pivot, hip placement, and footwork are also vital links in executing a snap cut or extension thrust with precision. Backcuts are also part of the snap cut tactics family, equally effective, but technically quite different.
SERIOUS GO-JUICE GETS OUT OF CONTROL
Over the years I have instructed a variety of military units, most notably the Army Special Forces, Rangers, and the USAF Combat Controllers. Tactical knife training is direct and neutralizing. The psychological crossover and adrenal dump of tactical engagement with a knife creates a trance like mind set and energy transference to instinctual senses. Military mind set develops and allows this metamorphose to become conditioned. If there is a distinction in actual military or civilian capabilities, it is psychological control and release of adrenal dumps during high stress situational training. Police tactics suppress aggressive adrenal loads in an effort to maintain control of the situation without disrupting our social guidelines. Civilians are at a distinct disadvantage when trying to develop aggressive or killer instincts. Adrenal dumps occur in uncontrollable levels and without knowledge of how to govern or direct spontaneous energy. Those unfamiliar with extreme levels of adrenaline would most likely over react. A few possibilities include feelings of rage, confusion, verbal rambling, tunnel vision, audio exclusion, sickness, nausea, loss of muscular control, and neural shut down. Serious issues to deal with if you are still engaged in an emergency or conflict of any kind.
AWARE AND PREPARED
Physical engagement is just one possible threat we must deal with every day in over increasingly violent society. Environmental control and conflict avoidance techniques offer a rational option to physical confrontation especially when accompanied by a spouse or dependents whose personal safety rests on the tactical decisions "we" as combatants make. That being the case, today's advocate of self defense must evolve tactically and be highly versed in evasive tactics as well force escalation methods. Additionally some form of awareness training for family members should be discussed to assist in evasion and avoid hostage manipulation or leverage scenarios from occurring
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Knife combatives is far from a new aspect of our industry. More often than not the term combatives has applied primarily to military or police training and tactics. Conversely with the influx of crime and assault in our cities and communities, civilians are taking personal defense strategies into their own hands. Seeking realistic training in edged weapons from the few qualified instructors or programs worldwide is not an easy task. Check out Jim Keating, Mike Janich, Richard Ryan, Bram Frank, or Hock Hockheim. All offer training in defensive knife tactics. Now the beauty of the free world is to have a choice. With the diverse background of these instructors, each has something to offer. Chances are all our curriculums have overlapping concepts and applications yet as instructors we each implement our own unique approach to share that information. Take your time and choose a program that's right for you. Keep in mind knife programs encompass a wide spectrum of tactics. Many highly skilled military instructors have made the effort to adapt battlefield knife combat maneuvers into mainstream society. The result is tactical applications very few civilians can psychologically integrate or even apply under the guidelines and laws set forth to describe the level of force allowable in an actual self-defense situation. These edged maneuvers are best described as high speed "life's on the line" knife tactics. Sometimes applicable, but sadly in the eyes of the law sometimes .out of control. Check your local carry laws and always consult legal counsel before making any statements. Remember, verbal babbling under stress, could be used against you. Once we protect ourself or family physically we must also protect ourselves in the legal system.
THE WORTAC 1 TACTICAL FOLDER FILLS THE VOID
As a knife combative instructor with a diverse background in striking and controlling systems, I believe in isolating each distinct level of force during training procedures. Actual blade deployment with a folder isn't always quick enough when surprised. Using the Wortac 1 folder and the multi-carry system fills just that void, from physical threat to engagement of defensive strikes quickly. The Wortac 1 is a quick draw folder. Because of body design alone you are not searching for it. An integral grooved thumb ramp and deep finger choil are accessible as a reference area during acquisition and deployment actions. First line of defense is a fist load for physical disengagement techniques, and if backed into a corner accelerating to threat neutralizing with slash and thrust control or finish tactics.
The Wortac 1 has received rave reviews from the knife industry in general. Just one grip and you will be convinced of the tactical advantage. Crawford Knives will custom produce one personally for you. Basic tactical models start at $400.00 Contact Pat Crawford at (870)735-4632 or
www.crawfordknives.com or Kelly S. Worden at (253)564-2867 or
wordenk@earthlink.com
