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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 4:20:09 GMT
I'm not exactly sure where to put this sword, but I guess I'll start here and it can be moved if needed. Its not really a Japanese style sword and its not really a fantasy sword. This is the "Waki" from Swamp Rat Knife Works. It is loosely based on a wakizashi, although it doesn't use any traditional material or construction. The steel is a company standard called SR101. It is basically a 52100 ball bearing steel that has undergone proprietary heat treating. This one is differentially treated. The scales are textured canvas micarta and they are riveted through the tang. The tang extends the entire length and height of the handle. Swamp Rat makes all their blades through the process of stock removal, not forging. This one has a full convex grind after the small ricasso with just a hint of a secondary bevel. The tip is ground at a slightly more obtuse angle than the rest of the blade. It has a small guard and an even smaller (and functionally inexplicable) choil. Specs are: OAL: 27in Blade Length: 17.5 in Looks like 3/16in stock Weight: IDK yet. It feel s like a little over 2 pounds. The balance feels great! A single handed grip up by the guard gives a feeling of secure grip and great control over the blade. A two handed grip feels just as good. I haven't done much with it yet, as I haven't been able to get away from the city. I did get a wild hair and decide to try it on a cardboard paper towel tube on my counter. With a one handed diagonal swing it cleanly sliced through the free standing tube, although it did not leave the bottom half standing. The sword has an arm tested hair popping edge. It has been designed and built to take a ridiculous beating, but it looks like it will make a nice slicer as well.          |
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jul 29, 2009 4:22:10 GMT
looks like what they call a "Tactical" sword. personally I don't like them, but there are plenty of people who do. to each their own I guess.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 5:14:49 GMT
Hmm, then perhaps I should pair it up with my "Tactical" tomahawk.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 5:33:38 GMT
Good idea, they would fit together very well.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 6:01:49 GMT
Nice! VERY nice!  For the non-knife nuts out there, Swamp Rat (and Scrapyard) is an offshoot of the Busse Combat brand of knives, perhaps the toughest, most indestructible knives ever made (pricey, too ;D). I'm contemplating saving up the dough for a big Busse myself. Thanks for the pics. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 6:05:57 GMT
It's interesting, to say the least.
M.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 10:19:43 GMT
Nice! VERY nice! For the non-knife nuts out there, Swamp Rat (and Scrapyard) is an offshoot of the Busse Combat brand of knives, perhaps the toughest, most indestructible knives ever made (pricey, too ;D). I'm contemplating saving up the dough for a big Busse myself. Thanks for the pics. If you want a taste of the good Busse life, you might try a Scrap Yard knife first. Scrap Yard generally uses SR77 (S7) rather than Busse Combat's INFI (praise be to its name), but they have recently released several blades in SR101. You can get a 10 in Scrap Yard on the secondary market for less than $250 if you are quick. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 11:41:17 GMT
I like it,I've never been found of the traditional wak or katana look so I usually look for something different and this is different.Yea it definatly has that tactical look that I have liked since Atrim used to make them.The scales look good with the pins attaching them and I like that wavy look to them.I bet it cuts like a beast.I've never heard of swamp rat do you have a link.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 14:41:33 GMT
Seems kinda heavy to be so small...have you done any cutting with it yet? I like the tactical look myself, but it has to be just so...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 21:59:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2009 23:18:03 GMT
Seems kinda heavy to be so small...have you done any cutting with it yet? I like the tactical look myself, but it has to be just so... I would look funny, well funnier than most people, swinging it around in the middle of New Orleans. Standard type cutting will have to wait until I can slip away to my Dad's house. Maybe this weekend. The only cutting I have done was some paper, some hair off my arm, and a free standing cardboard paper towel tube. The tube never had a chance, as it was cleanly sliced in half. The fact that the bottom was not left standing may be more my fault than the sword's. I would agree that it is heavy for its size. It is intentionally overbuilt. The 3/16 stock, the rather thick full convex grind, and the micarta slabs account for the extra weight. Handles like a dream, though. Check the balance:  No, its not on my thumb. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2009 19:21:33 GMT
It does look interesting. The video - - shows off the sturdiness of the blade. Not quite sure of Swamp Rat's marketing strategy for this blade, tho. If I were going for a tool to chop trees, I'd opt for the much less expensive Woodsman's Pal or a good axe. The demonstrator looked like one tired fellow when he finally cut through that tree. Might be good for when the zombies attack though. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2009 21:29:26 GMT
It does look interesting. The video - - shows off the sturdiness of the blade. Not quite sure of Swamp Rat's marketing strategy for this blade, tho. If I were going for a tool to chop trees, I'd opt for the much less expensive Woodsman's Pal or a good axe. The demonstrator looked like one tired fellow when he finally cut through that tree. Might be good for when the zombies attack though. ;D Yes, he assured me that it was a good workout when I spoke with him at Blade Show earlier this Summer. He also said that he would have bent it further during testing, but the cheater bar was already touching the floor.  Swamp Rat's marketing is pretty simple. Swords are cool. Nigh indestructibility is cool. Nigh indestructible swords are double plus cool. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 14:55:18 GMT
Swamp Rat's marketing is pretty simple. Swords are cool. Nigh indestructibility is cool. Nigh indestructible swords are double plus cool. True enuff! If I had some extra coin, I'd be tempted. May see if I can purchase one of their knives instead. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 16:55:24 GMT
It'd be a great sidearm for the impending Zombie Apocalypse that we all KNOW is coming.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 17:22:51 GMT
Swamp Rat's marketing is pretty simple. Swords are cool. Nigh indestructibility is cool. Nigh indestructible swords are double plus cool. True enuff! If I had some extra coin, I'd be tempted. May see if I can purchase one of their knives instead. Just let me know what interests you and I may be able to give you some more detailed information and point you toward a place to buy. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2009 17:24:13 GMT
It'd be a great sidearm for the impending Zombie Apocalypse that we all KNOW is coming. Haha! For sure! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2009 10:21:20 GMT
It'd be a great sidearm for the impending Zombie Apocalypse that we all KNOW is coming. Well, Herbert West IS the reanimator. He's got all his bases covered. He can bring back the dead and then reslay them with his wak. Pretty sweet!  ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2009 4:01:51 GMT
It'd be a great sidearm for the impending Zombie Apocalypse that we all KNOW is coming. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2009 5:50:09 GMT
Guaranteed to go through legions of zombies without needing resharpening. Hopefully I'll be able to make a cutting vid tomorrow. I did some cutting earlier this week at my friend's ranch and it was impressive. My friend said he thought he'd missed the 2L he sliced with it. He never even felt it. After it had slaughtered some bottles, it went through a 3 in tree like it was a big sappy joke.
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For the non-knife nuts out there, Swamp Rat (and Scrapyard) is an offshoot of the Busse Combat brand of knives, perhaps the toughest, most indestructible knives ever made (pricey, too ;D). I'm contemplating saving up the dough for a big Busse myself. Thanks for the pics. 
;D
