Sweet hamon on that M9!
I think Vic is right, might just need to polish it some more.
MRpink, did it look like that originally or did you touch it up?

not my picture, but I think that's how they look originally. i think the flash from the camera or the lighting sometime washes them out but they're there.

some other SR hamon:

Looks good HD, you make some good looking steel look awesome!

Horn Dog.....very nice as always!!! I love it.

Looks great Vic - sorry to see and hear about the Rat teeth (machine) marks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I was hoping the convex process would have left a moderately smooth blade under the coating. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

Eric confirmed they ARE differentially heat treated and the Swamp Rat's new web-page has the Waki listed showing it to be differentially heat treated as well.... I guess the new web page is to help accomodate the Blade Magazine influx of business and orders for the Waki...... So, much for everyone who bought extra Waki's for investment.

I am guessing that Jerry must have come up with some new sort of differential heat treatment for these swords. Like MRPink said, all of the temper lines in the past have been very clean and straight. It can be hard to get a decent picture of, but in hand with decent lighting, the SR-101 temper lines are quite easy to see even with MANY types of satin to rough finishes.

Maybe Jerry learned how to taper the temper from edge to spine somehow (?????).
If so, I think it would be good to know. As the more grinding that is done, the more hard edge could be removed (?????). - Another mystery. But, I don't really like NOT knowing what I have.

Eric said he can't say anything more about the temper other than it IS differential. Which means Jerry has either not provided Eric with any other info or instructed Eric NOT to disclose further info. But, I really want to know more and kind of feel like I SHOULD know more. At some point, I think it is important to know at least a little more about how the blade is made. I don't need to know the secret process. But, at least a bit more specifics about the construction/makeup of the blade. I will have to go start beating on him for more info. Anyone who wants to help, feel free to join in.

.

Here is a bit better pic (newer camera, better lighting) of the Desert Jack for you MRpink:




Here are some other good Swamp Rat temper line pics:


Customized Camp Tramp (borrowed pic):



Customized Battle Rat (borrowed pic):




My Camp Tramp:




I don't have a good pic that shows the Temper line on my Battle Rat, but it is easy to see in hand.

But, to those not as familiar with SR-101 Temper lines (I know MRpink, Vic and many others are quite familiar), notice how ALL previous Swamp Rat temper lines have been very uniform. And although they can be hard to get decent pictures of as the lighting has to be just right, I think you can tell from the above pics that the temper lines tend to be obvious.

If the Waki had a similar temper line, it might have still been hard to get to show up in a picture, but it would be easy for Vic to see by now with the amount of polishing he has done. So, I have to assume Jerry has a different technique for the temper lines on the Waki.

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I am really not at all concerned about the hamon line or lack of it. We have all seen the video of just what this blade can do. Performance is the thing, and uncoated blades just cut better.

I suppose that is plenty fair enough to a point. My only concern is how much of the "Hardened" edge is actually there vs. softer spine. It might be good to know when doing grinding.

I am confident in the performance and the warranty.

Honestly, I am just WAY curious. I like to know these things just to know.

For me, while performance does trump aesthetics - especially on this Waki, I do LOVE the looks of the Hamon. The simple straight Swamp Rat Hamon isn't as sexy as a true clay hamon. But, I still like it a lot. I think it would have been very cool to have on the Waki. But, if they had to make changes to improve performance, then I prefer performance.

Minor wish, but I wish I could have both performance and sexy hamon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

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When I get the time I will further polish the edge. Maybe the hamon will appear then.

Only Hamon I care about is Hamon eggs !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Great job with the vexing Vic !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />