Article by Janich on Spyderco Warrior in "SWAT magazine"

[Greg Walker]

Last comments on this subject (Spyderco Warrior) from a big fan of this design -

It is wonderfully a Spyderco original design accomplishment in conjunction with the design consultant in Israel who approached Sal for his interest in doing the project.

It bears only a general resemblance physically to the AMK Warrior and is certainly far different materials wise.

Specific training in the use of this weapon has always been recommended in order to realize its full capabilities.

The sheath is 95% adequate design and manufacture wise. The synthetic insert is completely unsatisfactory as it allows for absolutely no retention of the knife if the single strap and snap is not securely in place. The knife literally falls out of the sheath and should never be considered for tactical carry unless this major problem is either fixed with an evolution of the sheath or a custom fit sheath is purchased after the fact.

Additionally, the knife rattles in the sheath and moves up and down in the body of the sheath. This is a "no go" from a tactical carry point of view. This is not a sheath you would be allowed to jump with in an airborne unit. It is also far too large/long to be worn on a Moly unit (body armor) along with all other required by SOP items. A far more compact sheath with Tactical Tailor attachment clips (Tacoma, Washington, based firm - provides superb line of gear that is truly combat tested and is favored by operators from those SOF units at Joint Base Lewis McChord as well as the Stryker Brigade) will solve this nicely.

Not a biggie. Historically production sheathware is always a challenge when it comes to hard use / application bladeware.

Love the Spyderco 21st Century Warrior - nicely done, Sal

I know Al (Mar) would say the same!

[Michael Janich]

Dear Greg:

Thank you very much for your posts and feedback on the book.

I take full responsibility for the technical error regarding the unit designation for the 75th Rangers. I know better, but it slipped by in the edit and proofing of the text.

With regard to the rest of the sources cited in the book, in simple terms, we did the best we could with what we had. Bob Taylor was the primary source of information and was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. Black Belt/Ohara Publications, TRS, and AMK were also very accomodating in their support. The other companies and publications that could have supported the project chose not to, so some materials that I would have liked to use were not included. Please don't take offense at the exclusion of any of your work on the subject as it was not my intent to be disrespectful.

Stay safe,

"The author"

[defenestrate]

I'd just like to note my appreciation of this thread. I knew that the Warrior and the Hobbit/REKAT/etc predecessors had a storied history but all of the posts of folks who are more closely related to the design and use of these models has beeen extremely informative and definitely makes me want to pick one up soon. So thanks, guys.

[Greg Walker]

Mike -

As you know I'm both a retired SOF Operator and historian ... so I tend to catch those things when otherwise they would go unnoticed

Appreciate the kind note and know it is sent in earnest.

I'll sooner or later have my Spyderco Warrior re-sheathed in leather for the sheer fun of it. My Cobra should arrive any day now

Very pleased to see the connection with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation regarding this project. Know the folks there - superb organization.

On good authority it is my understanding Echanis was a "C Company" ranger while in Vietnam. Interesting link on the history of this company is http://oftheirownaccord.com/pics/vhis_c75.htm.

Gary O'Neal, legendary American Warrior, is writing his autobiography for a major publisher. Gary's personal and professional history with Echanis begins in Vietnam and ends with Gary's ODA recovering the bodies of the plane Echanis went down in on Lake NIC and it was Gary's team that escorted Mike home for burial.

On several occasions I've been asked to write a definitive book on Mike Echanis by Paladin Press. I have always politely declined although it would have been a very easy and enjoyable project for me. As I have shared with Gary - in my professional opinion he is the "gate keeper" of Mike Echanis' memory and there is no other or better person to present "The Final Word" on Mike Echanis than he. I am hopeful and have encouraged him to offer us his recollections of Echanis in his upcoming book. If one is not familiar with Gary his website is http://awitactical.blogspot.com/2010...l-founder.html. As one will see Gary was assigned to C-Co, 75th Rangers among many, many other SOF units during his career.

You can also hear a great interview with Gary done by Datu Kelly Worden at http://kellyworden.homestead.com/OnTheEdge6.html

Kudos on all your professional achievements since we first met, Mike. Understand you were recently inducted in to the BB Hall of Fame!

[Michael Janich]

Hey, Greg:

Thank you for your response and the kind words.

I would be very interested in seeing a definitive biographical work on Echanis, especially from Gary O'Neal. Please keep encouraging him to folow through on that project.

Thanks again for sharing your insights and knowledge.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Greg Walker]

Gary's book is an autobiography. I was stunned in the most positive sense of the term when I learned he had chosen to write it (his co-author is David Fished - one of the best in the business). O'Neil is one of the finest SOF operators in the world. His is no manufactured "legend".

If Gary elects to comment on Echanis it'll happen within the content of the much bigger story that is Gary O'Neil's. Again, I hope he does and how ever he does so it'll be the final word coming from the only person truly qualified to put it on the record.

DOL!

[Greg Walker]

FYI - Wikipedia page on Michael D Echanis has been edited / corrected as of this evening.

[Greg Walker]

Hey, Greg:

Thank you for your response and the kind words.

I would be very interested in seeing a definitive biographical work on Echanis, especially from Gary O'Neal. Please keep encouraging him to folow through on that project.

Thanks again for sharing your insights and knowledge.

Stay safe,

Mike

Hi, Mike -

You renewed my interest in Echanis and the Warrior Knife so I've dug back into my research / data and updated/referenced/credited quite a bit of information on Echanis and the knife on Wikipedia. It's a work in progress - I trust you and others interested in these subjects will find the information helpful / educational

[Greg Walker]

Found a slightly used REKAT Savant folder this weekend. Picked it up as the blade (upswept point, Black T coating) is very similar to the Warrior/Hobbit/Pocket Hobbit basic design but without upper edge serrations. Anyone have any further info/thoughts/experience on this model other than discontinued when REKAT closed its doors?

[Greg Walker]

Added to Wikipedia Echanis page again today - Inclusion / Reference to Michael Janich / Spyderco Warrior booklet and quotes as well as recent Black Belt article on Echanis.

Vietnam military service of noted authors/writers Chuck Karwan and Steven Dick (See below) -

Note: Another highly accomplished Vietnam combat veteran, Chuck Karwan, knew and trained with Echanis at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Karwan, a West Point graduate, was also an Airborne/Ranger School/Special Forces Officer Course graduate and gifted CQB instructor. Karwan served 9 years with both the 5th and 10th Special Forces Groups. He was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" Device for his actions in Vietnam. He left the Army in 1978, the same year Echanis was killed (http://www.tactical-life.com/online/...947-sept-2008/). Another well known Ranger is Steven Dick. During the peak of the Vietnam War Dick served as a LRP with E Company, 20th Infantry, later re-designated as the legendary Charlie Company-Rangers, 75th Infantry. He took part in the usually deadly and always dangerous behind the lines long range five to six man patrols that gave meaning to the phrase silent and deadly. Dick was with C Company, 75th Ranger Infantry in 1969 in An Khe, Vietnam. Steve Dick recalls seeing Gerber's MKII fighting knife at the unit which would support Echanis' most likely becoming aware of the knife as a LRP/Ranger edged option when he got to the unit in 1970 (http://www.tactical-life.com/online/...egend-returns/). Today Mr. Dick is editor in chief of Tactical Knives Magazine.

[Greg Walker]

Now parallel discussion threat on Echanis - http://hockscombatforum.com/index.ph...0.0.html:cool:

[Greg Walker]

This tread is now a number of years old. However it was updated in late 2012 by someone apparently very close to the Echanis family ("RushCreek75, Page 11/12 of thread). Observations that are significant include those from Mike Janich, Bob Duggan (ESI International and posting as "Swallow"), Datu Kelly Worden, Bob Taylor then and myself posting ("Kasik", "Sierra 912", "TheMint") - historically some good stuff - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...hael-D-Echanis

[Greg Walker]

Just had nice talk with Bob T.

Only correction he offers is that the Warrior with white handle given to Bob Brown at SOF was made by custom maker D.R. Roen, not Al Mar Knives.

Thank you Bob!

[Greg Walker]

According to archives Charles W. Sanders ("Chuck") and Echanis went to same high school in Ontario; Sanders was extra ordinary athlete to include star football player; he trained extensively in Judo as a youth and teenager and continued with distinction while at the University of Oregon after high school; while in the Army he was awarded the Soldier's Medal (highest non combat award for heroism a Service member can receive) for saving the life of a fellow Soldier during a climbing accident. Sanders was 31 when he was killed along with Echanis and Nuygen "Bobby" Nuygen in Nicaragua. He, Echanis and Nuygen are all buried in Ontario, Oregon. Sanders was also awarded Hwa Rang Do black sash ranking during the same time period that Echanis was in southern California at the La Habra HWD school / at Fort Bragg.

[Greg Walker]

Hi, Mike -

You renewed my interest in Echanis and the Warrior Knife so I've dug back into my research / data and updated/referenced/credited quite a bit of information on Echanis and the knife on Wikipedia. It's a work in progress - I trust you and others interested in these subjects will find the information helpful / educational

Mike,

Thank you for discovering the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and recommending to those involved in the SpyderCo Warrior Knife project as the recipient for any royalties coming from the knife's sales.

Great organization and the money goes to whom it is intended.

[Greg Walker]

The included link reflects the most up to date, accurate and properly referenced information on Michael D Echanis to include extracts from both his and SGT Charles W. Sanders' obituaries as published by the Daily Argus - Observer, Ontario, Oregon, in September 1978.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Echanis

Farang!

[Greg Walker]

MJ - want to reaffirm kudos on one specific portion of the Spyderco booklet - the accurate disassociation of MDE from the Warrior Knife concept and true history. That is due entirely to Wanner/Taylor with custom/specialty makers of the knife in its variations part of their history.

Echanis' off the cuff suggestion regarding serrations was just that.

He strongly favored the Gerber MKII and it was and remains this knife - which is his signature piece cutlery wise.

[Greg Walker]

MJ - see the Echanis thread on Hock's site for update on who Nuygen "Bobby" Van Nuygen was. Just posted.

[Greg Walker]

The Wiki page on Michael Dick Echanis is now complete.

It is revised, referenced throughout and as accurate as possible in every respect.

My thanks to those folks who knew/were with Echanis and Chuck Sanders beginning with their growing up years in Ontario, Oregon; during the HwaRangdo Hand to Hand Combat and Special Weapons Course at Fort Bragg, NC; and concluding in Nicaragua during Echanis' tenure at EEBI and upon the recovery of his body and transport home to Oregon for burial.

As Wiki is a living document it will likely be updated as bona fide and accurate/referenced information becomes available.

However, for now, the Man, the Myth and the Legend are fairly represented for perhaps the first time since September 8, 1978.

DOL/GW

[ceya]

Greg, Mike, Sal, and others involved, I say thanks for keep history of the Warrior going.

I have only the REKAT Hobbit from 1995 got it at James Keating's Riddle of Steel.

It is green and tip is not sharpened (another Riddler got that one).

Trainer came with it also.

I had an Al Mar Warrior as well, I got it from a Japanese knife seller who sold Al Mar knives outside of Tokyo.

I got my Col Nick Rowe knife from him as well. There was another model dedicated to Col Rowe which was not like the Bowie version.

Semper Fi,
CEYA!