First off,,, I don't hide behind forum names, what I got to say I'll say honestly. I do not fabricate stories to create controversy, I have been in this industry and the knife industry longer than most reading this forum. My position as a radio host also offers insight and communication with legends in the arts, not interested in sacrificing my status by spelling any false statements. I am not looking for answers or communication with anyone, just offering a prospective of views that have been personally shared with me over the years. Those mentioned as reference information I consider credible, thus I will share their information as I see fit. I do not consider their personal opinions or experiences as mud-slinging, just information gathering. My personal business, products, or seminars survive well and I do not feel Bram or Dan are competitors or a threat to my success, give me a break....
Due to the weekend coming up, I to have the MARPPIO event, read if you choose but I will not be responding myself until next week. If someone specifically would like me to answer questions they will have to state their real name in writing, simple as that...
Respectfully, Kelly S. Worden
Originally Posted by Dan Anderson
Hi Bester,
Well, this has certainly stirred up a bit of a storm, hasn't it. Well, your questions have been taken up here and there in other forums and depending on who you listen to, the answer varies.
My dealings with Bram have all been on the up and up. It is VERY common knowledge that Kelly Worden is, to put it delicately, not an admirer of Bram. The stories, being what they are, may have elements of truth and elements of untruth. Well, the best thing to do is for you to meet him and ask him for yourself. He is very approachable and has all sorts of documentation regarding any questions you might like to ask. As I said, he has always been on the up and up with me, does not speak desparagingly of others, his students have the best manners of any group I have ever met, and he always credit Remy Presas as being his teacher and inspiration.
Yours,
Dan Anderson
Hello Martial talk Arnisadors..
Well as most of you know I stick to my own community and maintain a busy schedule. I wish I had time to spend answering everyoneÂ’s questions regarding Modern Arnis, politics, and life in general, bottom line it is not possible.
Since Dan Anderson seems to feel I am the root of all BramÂ’s political turmoil I will provide this brief history of how I became involved.
Years ago Bram began communicating with me and Jim Keating, purchasing our video tapes and other products. He purchased most of my videos and a Silent Fighter, reported back and forth about the value and how it improved his training regime. With Jim he purchased most all of Jim’s videos and even attended Jim’s Riddle of Steel camps, two I believe, Idaho and New York. Bram also purchased a great deal of Jim’s plastic knife trainers, much to Jim’s surprise, those soon became a product called Dragon Tooth knives made by Bram. According to Jim, Bram took total credit for the inception of that concept. In reference to video tapes, according to Jim, and others who have reviewed the production Bram copied his Knife Craft “3” volume video tape series and called it Blade Craft. All this is reported first hand by Jim Keating via the “On the Edge” radio show.
Questions regarding the origination of the Gunting knife are also covered there, the original concept was Jim KeatingÂ’s using the Jot Singh Kalsa knife Jot designed and Spyderco produced long before any Roundeye Excelerator or Spyderco Gunting model was introduced by Bram. An article was written and published in Tactical Knife prior to any designs Bram proposed to Bob Taylor of Roundeye Tool and Knife. Listen to that radio audio interview as well or better yet call Bob Taylor he has no problem discussing his first hand experiences. The article in question does exist and the concept of using a knife for a gunting and kinetic opening was the inception of Jim Keating. Bram later attended a seminar in New York and guess what, after a class Jim taught, Bram came to JimÂ’s hotel room to show him a drawing of his unique design? Jim actually had to be physically held back by his student Robert, as he was fairly upset at this personal violation of brotherly love ethics. Believe it or not, Jim is easily contacted as well.
People this effected: # 1. Jim Keating, # 2. Jot Singh Kalsa, # 3. Bob Taylor, # 4. Sal Glessor and Spyderco. Is the Gunting being produced now by Spyderco? No, is there a problem there? Seems to be.
I was personally handed BramÂ’s proposed Conceptual Modern Arnis book by Professor Remy A. Presas, he was pissed off. He told me to write the book, believe it or not.
I met Bram in Atlanta at the Blade Show for the first time later that year, but low and behold having never met Bram personally I was written into his book as if we were personal friends. “Kelly and I, Datu and I, me and Kelly, we are the Black Sheep of Modern Arnis” so on and so on,,, I had never met Bram Frank, I to felt violated, his inclusion of me in his book without my permission and as a Black Sheep was wrong. In Modern Arnis I stood alone and still do. This Black Sheep statement really pissed off Professor, he did not want public dissention in his art. He knew I was going to Atlanta and personally asked me to “Kick Bram’s ***.” Believe it or not…The day I met Bram, I had a long conversation with Bram at the Timberline booth that disrupted the flow of Timberline professionalism. The basis was “Professor does not want his name in this book, he does not want to be tied to Dan Inosanto as a conceptual teacher and quite a bit more. I also clarified that I personally did not want to be included in his book as a Black Sheep of Modern Arnis. Bram’s reply was to ignore Professor’s personal concerns, doubt me, call Randi Shea or Datu David Hoffman, Willy Matias and others within the Board of Directors.
Was Professor upset with Datu Shishir for promoting Bram without consulting Professor himself? Yes he was.
Is there a document on IMAF letterhead Dated October 15th 1996 dismissing Bram from active Modern Arnis participation or representation of IMAF? Yes, seen it, have it, clarified itÂ’s existence as authentic in personal discussions with Randi Shea, David Hoffman, Willy Matias.
Did Joe Lewis have a personal run in with Bram at a Black Tie event and a knife was involved? Ask Joe himself, he is easily communicated with.
Are there other questionable issues surrounding Bram, Modern Arnis, the Gunting knife design, and personal politics, probably. Am I going to waste my time addressing all the problems or directly concerning myself with Bram or Dan? I don’t have the time or desire, if Dan wants to point a finger at someone, point it at everyone listed and do more research himself to find out how others feel about all this crap. I got involved because Bram chose to get involved with many of these people I consider personal friends. Much of this was brought out into the public via public information on and through the A.M. KLAY Radio show “ON THE EDGE.”
In reference to DanÂ’s statement of BramÂ’s endorsement from Datu Shishir, Roland Dantes, or the Senior Masters of the Philippines, well, no disrespect to them but I am curious, do these endorsements somehow invalidate the issues of the past?
Has Bram been invited to disperse all proposed false claims of others by “Going Public on the same Radio Show? Yes he has, and the offer still stands today. He has reported that he felt he would not get a honest opportunity to “Tell his side of the story.” Well it is real hard for me as a radio host to not allow that, it would be real evident if I was to edit any thing he steps forward to clarify. Both Bram and Dan are more than welcome to stand tall and make their side of any story public, “ON THE EDGE!” Dan is coming to Tacoma for a Karate tournament in the very near future, August 2005 I believe, he is teaching a point karate seminar. How about that weekend?
Got personal concerns about my statements, the door is always open.
My office # is 253-564-2867
Respectfully Datu Kelly S. Worden
