Crash Rat

JGarrison Knives

JGarrison Knives

Joined
May 28, 2005
Messages
5,081
Im just curious what Axe afficianados think of the new Swamp Rat Axe offered recently. The specs can be found in the Swamp Rat forum. BTW Ive already ordered one and it will be my first Axe/Tomahawk.
 
I am interested in opinions also. I am thinking of making my first tomahawk purchase. At the moment I am tossing up between the Crash Rat and the K5 with the hammer head. Ideally I want a utility tomahawk that can be carried in the car for emergencies but can also be carried for camping/bushwalking (and which could possibly be used against wild dogs in the bush to protect my own dogs). One of the main uses wood be for chopping (eg. removing wet timber to reach the dry underneath after rain, chopping light timber for fire or shelter). The Crash Rat would be lighter (1/4 inch steel) for carry but would it still be an effective chopper. It doesn't have the hammer end for tent pegs but would the K5 be too heavy to carry when bushwalking. I have bought a few Swamp Rat knives and they are top quality. K5 quality is an unknown to me and there seem to have been supply problems in recent times. I have to make a decision soon because the Crash Rat will only be available at a low price for another few days. The Crash Rat is more expensive than the K5 and doesn't come with a quality sheath. The K5 does seem to come with a very good sheath. I would love to hear opinions from people who have experience of tomahawks.
 
If you've been following the secondary market on special edition Swamp Rats, you'd be crazy not to order at least one Crash Axe.

I think the SRKW Crash Axe will make a nearly perfect ruck/BOB/infantryman's axe. It will be significantly lighter than the K5, and therefore much easier to enjoy when tramping/hiking. And it will still be a good chopper. The K5 may be a better chopper due to it's weight, but will be less controllable due to that same weight.
My thoughts on the K5 are that it is a dedicated combat axe for troops fighing in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is more for chopping down houses than trees. It is for someone who may never use it, but when he/she does, it is under fire, or in worse conditions than you can imagine. Most people will get more day to day utility from something a bit more user friendly, such as the Crash Axe. Comparing my tests with S-7 (I have an old prototype done by Ranger Knives with SRKW/Busse permission) to tests here on BF with the K5, I'm sure the S-7 axe will withstand hard object impacts with less deformation than the 1050 K5. But the K5 offers lateral strength and destructive capability that you won't find elsewhere for less than $350.

Bottom line is that both Eddie and Eric are currently offering incredible deals on axes. Look at what you need it for, and buy accordingly. For convoy operations in Iraq, get the K-5. For air-assault operations in Afghanistan, get the SRKW.
 
Thankyou for your advice. I found it very useful. I have decided to pre-order the Swamp Rat Crash Axe.:thumbup:
 
It looks like it would handle just about anything you threw at it . I can,t seem to find a price on one . How much is it and how can I order one ?
 
JWBirch said:
But the K5 offers lateral strength
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My understanding is that the K5 does not have a hardened handle, if this is the case I would disagree with the above statement. Hardened S7 will offer much greater lateral strength than unhardened steel.

:D:D
 
Eric Isaacson said:
My understanding is that the K5 does not have a hardened handle, if this is the case I would disagree with the above statement. Hardened S7 will offer much greater lateral strength than unhardened steel.

:D:D
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I'm sure it will given equally measured peices. But the K5 has 3/8" 1050 v. the 1/4" S-7 for the CR. Laterally, the wrecking bar has the advantage over the prybar, due to sheer mass in this case.
 
JWBirch said:
I'm sure it will given equally measured peices. But the K5 has 3/8" 1050 v. the 1/4" S-7 for the CR. Laterally, the wrecking bar has the advantage over the prybar, due to sheer mass in this case.
Click to expand...

It is my understanding that the lateral strength of a thicker piece of soft steel will still be less than a hardened piece of thinner steel (in these thicknesses)

Any prying force will be applied to bending the soft steel and if it is hardened steel the prying force will be applied to prying ;)

:D:D
 
JWBirch said:
Laterally, the wrecking bar has the advantage over the prybar, due to sheer mass in this case.
Click to expand...

Assuming similar cross sections, 3/8" steel is about twice as strong as 1/4" steel, however hardened steel is far more than twice as strong as unhardened steel. You can bend 3/8" unhardened steel easily by hand, I have done it on khukuris for example from Khukuri House, it doesn't require much effort. Just grab a piece of tension bar and do some prying with it.

-Cliff
 
The CRASH RAT Specs:
Overall length of 14 1/4"
1/4" thick
3.75" cutting edge
3.5" Long spike
Steel = SR77 (modified S7) 55-57 Rc
Canvas Micarta Handles

 
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