Swamp Rat Roden Waki

**Lonely Raven** · 08-24-2011, 12:21

I really hate to do this...but honestly, I just can't imagine myself actually *using* it like I want to (like a machete). Seems a waste of a $500 sword. Though I'm sure I'll miss it when the Zombies attack...

The last of the Swamp Rat Waki in rare Orange and Black G10 $525 shipped

I got it as a birthday present to myself, and it's pretty much sat on a shelf. Never used for anything, still in it's cardboard shipping sleeve.

I'm not sure I really need any trades right now. I'm selling down gear I don't use to pay bills.

**AaronAlso** · 08-24-2011, 13:07

Knives, Flashlights, Hammocks are my weaknesses; in that order. That thing looks like one sweeeeeet blade. Definitely beats my Tromatina machete on style points. To be honest the GF would probably use it on me if I dropped that kind money though.

For others, whom maybe interested, do you have specs as in bblade length, steel type, ect - or a link to them?

wish I could, but already getting the business for $350 I spent on second hand gear already this week.

**Lonely Raven** · 08-24-2011, 13:11

Here is specs and info from the original Pre order in 2009. They stopped making these last year after a couple price increases. There are other brands that sell similar wakis, but they are more than this!

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/cg...;f=10;t=006703

**Lonely Raven** · 08-24-2011, 13:15

A cut and paste about the steel from their forums:

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SR-101 is the Swamp's name for their particular heat treatment of 52100 ball bearing steel.
52100
Carbon 0.98 - 1.1
Chromium 1.3 - 1.6
Manganese 0.25 - 0.45
Phosphorus 0.025 (max)
Silicon 0.15 - 0.35
Sulphur 0.025 (max)

1060
Carbon 0.55-0.65
Manganese 0.60-0.90
Phosphorus 0.04 (max)
Sulphur 0.05 (max)

It is a more complex alloy than 1050 or 1060, with a much higher carbon content, and a lower tolerance allowed for the presence of Sulphur in manufacturing. It has long been considered a premier blade steel, for a long time was only available to those who forge blades (as it didn't come in flat bar stock until very recently), and thus is not very prevalent in the production knife world. Its high regard isn't mystical but rather very practical---the quality of the steel is extremely high due to its industrial application, meaning that the consistency/accuracy with which it's components are assembled makes it a very consistent steel to work with.

Much, in terms of blade performance, is dependent upon heat treatment and geometry, of course, but in general the comparison would be that SR-101's resistance to abrasion, deformation and blunting will be much higher than 1060's, and even more when comparing to 1050. Edge holding in almost all uses will be much higher. 1050/1060 will have more ductility than SR-101 and so are very rugged choices for impact tools (axes, swords, etc.) but really that's the only advantage they'd have--the ability to take extreme bends and not break. SR-101's greater strength will also allow it to support a much thinner cutting edge than either of those two.

Now, many of Swamp Rat's larger knives are differentially tempered, about 58 HRC at the edge but closer to 50 HRC at the spine, which gives the blade quite a bit of ability to flex but still spring back to true, without sacrificing edge holding.

I know of one knife maker, Matt Roberts, who made use of 1060 steel for a time, and was achieving high-50's HRC edge hardnesses with it in large bowies, but for the most part these low carbon steels are considered barely adequate as modern cutlery steel. Once you get into 1070 and above (with 1084 being the gold-standard of all the 10-- series knife steels) you're into better performance potential, though again it's up to the maker to realize this potential.

**taylo** · 08-25-2011, 07:56

Man that is awesome. I'd rather have that than a pistol for home protection. Wish I could afford it.

Wanna do Karate in the basement???
Yep

**Lonely Raven** · 08-25-2011, 07:59

Wow, I just checked eBay, the past few of these have sold for $25 to $50 more than I'm asking. I was afraid I was asking too much...I think I'm just selling to the wrong crowd. Backpacking with a 3lb sword just doesn't sound right. LOL

I'll leave this up for a couple days, but it's probably going to eBay soon.