The design of the Wortac came from the mind of Kelly Worden. Datu Worden is a renowned martial artist. He like the late Bob Kasper, and James Keating, have refined blade fighting to a level of subtle effective simplicity.
Pat Crawford built the first custom Wortacs in the 1990s. A Worden/Crawford/Al Mar automatic version was created in in the late 90s.
Timberline introduced the production Wortac in 2000 and reportedly sold more than 10,000 of them in 2001. I can attest to these knives and the CRKT Kasper Fighting Folder (KFF) both being popular. I like many people owned both. If I remember correctly the prices were around $ 50.
The Timberline Wortac came in large and small sizes and with black plastic or dark brown stabilized wood scales. I preferred the large version with 4 inch blade.
The Wortac was smooth opening and very ergonomic. I cant say why they didnt survive while the CRKT KFF has been continuously available to this day. I know that of the four I owned, two of them had lock problems. The liner lock bar would slide on the blade tang. It wouldnt close all the way on your hand but a slippery lock erodes your confidence. I sold them all eventually but renewed my acquaintance with the knife two years ago by buying the large partial serrated one pictured below. Handling and using the knife made me wonder why I had ever given them up. This old one is buttery smooth, locks up tight, and is very sharp. It feels good and moves quickly in my hand, exactly what Datu Kelly intended.
About two years ago I heard from Kelly that an updated version was planned with Timberline. It would be the large version with upgraded materials and a carbide glass breaker. The Timberline Wortac Gen II was released in July and is available directly from Kellys website now and with all Timberline dealers soon. It is priced reasonably at $ 79.95 MSRP.
The physical specs on the knives are similar with Gen II being a little longer with the glass breaker. The materials are the major difference.
These are big tactical knives. The ergonomics are excellent. They feel solid in your hand and can be used closed as a fist load or even a sap.
The balance is very good with the blade open and the knife moves quickly from forward to reverse grip.
The swedge on the Gen II is slightly bigger than the original Wortac. To me it looks better. The edge came very sharp and was easily made razor sharp.
The Gen II came a little tight so I loosened the pivot. This required removing the pocket clip and the use of two Torx bits. Strangely it was a T8 on the left side and a T9 on the right under the pivot. I was able to attain a position where the knife flicks open with your thumb but locks up solid.
The original was a superb tactical folder and the Gen II is even better. The original was produced in Taiwan while the Gen II is a product of China. The quality of the Gen II is excellent.
Any cons? I doubt if the coating on the Gen II blade is a true Titanium type. It appears to be more like the coating Cold Steel uses on their AUS-8 blades. Im not sure how durable it will be since there is already some loss at the edge of the spine. I will let you know.
If you like tactical folders, especially those designed by real deal blade masters, this knife is for you. They should be available through dealers soon and are available on Kelly Wordens website right now.
Pat Crawford built the first custom Wortacs in the 1990s. A Worden/Crawford/Al Mar automatic version was created in in the late 90s.
Timberline introduced the production Wortac in 2000 and reportedly sold more than 10,000 of them in 2001. I can attest to these knives and the CRKT Kasper Fighting Folder (KFF) both being popular. I like many people owned both. If I remember correctly the prices were around $ 50.
The Timberline Wortac came in large and small sizes and with black plastic or dark brown stabilized wood scales. I preferred the large version with 4 inch blade.
The Wortac was smooth opening and very ergonomic. I cant say why they didnt survive while the CRKT KFF has been continuously available to this day. I know that of the four I owned, two of them had lock problems. The liner lock bar would slide on the blade tang. It wouldnt close all the way on your hand but a slippery lock erodes your confidence. I sold them all eventually but renewed my acquaintance with the knife two years ago by buying the large partial serrated one pictured below. Handling and using the knife made me wonder why I had ever given them up. This old one is buttery smooth, locks up tight, and is very sharp. It feels good and moves quickly in my hand, exactly what Datu Kelly intended.
About two years ago I heard from Kelly that an updated version was planned with Timberline. It would be the large version with upgraded materials and a carbide glass breaker. The Timberline Wortac Gen II was released in July and is available directly from Kellys website now and with all Timberline dealers soon. It is priced reasonably at $ 79.95 MSRP.
The physical specs on the knives are similar with Gen II being a little longer with the glass breaker. The materials are the major difference.
These are big tactical knives. The ergonomics are excellent. They feel solid in your hand and can be used closed as a fist load or even a sap.
The balance is very good with the blade open and the knife moves quickly from forward to reverse grip.
The swedge on the Gen II is slightly bigger than the original Wortac. To me it looks better. The edge came very sharp and was easily made razor sharp.
The Gen II came a little tight so I loosened the pivot. This required removing the pocket clip and the use of two Torx bits. Strangely it was a T8 on the left side and a T9 on the right under the pivot. I was able to attain a position where the knife flicks open with your thumb but locks up solid.
The original was a superb tactical folder and the Gen II is even better. The original was produced in Taiwan while the Gen II is a product of China. The quality of the Gen II is excellent.
Any cons? I doubt if the coating on the Gen II blade is a true Titanium type. It appears to be more like the coating Cold Steel uses on their AUS-8 blades. Im not sure how durable it will be since there is already some loss at the edge of the spine. I will let you know.
If you like tactical folders, especially those designed by real deal blade masters, this knife is for you. They should be available through dealers soon and are available on Kelly Wordens website right now.
