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Waki, Rucki weights.
- Thread starter stormbird
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2010
- Messages
- 2,690
You can't really want GOUT! You can use your new Ruki without side effects or health problems!
Waki vs Rucki... During the brief time I've had both blades together I have formed some strong impressions regarding how they differ. First of all it feels like most of the 5 ounce weight difference is located in the handle of the Waki. One handed the Rucki is the faster blade (for me).
I look at the Rucki as a defensive weapon first, bush blade second, chopper third. For my intended use while motorcycling on remote roads it is perfect. Some of the states I travel through don't recognize my cwp and require a firearm to be unloaded, locked in a case, etc. The Rucki will provide a fast defensive option if I ever need it.
If you are looking for a chopper the Waki is your blade. The two handed grip is very secure and comfortable. The balance of the Waki feels like it would impact the target with more force than the Rucki could ever generate. To me the Waki feels like it would make a very efficient chopper. And, if you are bigger and/or stronger than I am, a fine weapon. Just my 2¢ based on nothing but chopped air.
I look at the Rucki as a defensive weapon first, bush blade second, chopper third. For my intended use while motorcycling on remote roads it is perfect. Some of the states I travel through don't recognize my cwp and require a firearm to be unloaded, locked in a case, etc. The Rucki will provide a fast defensive option if I ever need it.
If you are looking for a chopper the Waki is your blade. The two handed grip is very secure and comfortable. The balance of the Waki feels like it would impact the target with more force than the Rucki could ever generate. To me the Waki feels like it would make a very efficient chopper. And, if you are bigger and/or stronger than I am, a fine weapon. Just my 2¢ based on nothing but chopped air.
Stormbird,
Thanks for clarifying handle material to weight.
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I generally agree with your assessment on Rucki vs. Waki.
To add my two cents:
The Waki with two hands makes for a better chopper and a more powerfull two-handed weapon compared to the Rucki. I don't consider myself small or weak, but the Waki weight at 31-33 ounces is a bit hard to control with one hand. I can chop with the Waki with one hand - where the one hand just needs to control the direction of the Waki in "One" direction till impact. But, if needing to control the Waki and change directions such as machete type slashing back and forth, I feel the Waki is too heavy for any significant amount of one hand use. - Maybe OK for a few one-handed swings and slashes here and there, but easily best with two hands.
The Waki is "Pretty Good" as a chopper. But, if I wanted a dedicated chopper, I feel there are probably better options: axes, heavy Parangs and such.
And, I don't really care to "Slash" in the field with "Needing" both hands.
I don't have a true (Factory) Rucki, but instead, I chopped the handle of my Waki to make my own Rucki prior to the release of the factory Rucki. Since I didn't really want this blade as a dedicated chopper, I always wanted more of a single-handed tool with a bit less weight - More of a Super-Powered machete type tool - more conducive to easier carry and easier one-handed slashing.
IMO, the longer handled Waki is quite a bit large for carry - anywhere.
My Rucki has a slightly shorter handle than the factory Rucki. Currently, my handle length is about 6.125" - 6.2" or so. But, I am not completely done with mine. I want to re-build the handle to have a bit more swell in the middle grip area and significantly more swell at the rear (more like a Kukri or Gladius to help secure grip and balance). I like the look and grip(traction) provided by the factory grooved scales, but with just a bit of use, the scales get fairly abrasive on the hands if not wearing gloves. When chopping, the Rucki moves around in your hand creating hot spots more than a 10" bladed chopping knife. With a 10" or so blade, I sometimes pivot chop, but can also just grip the handle to reduce movement. But, with the larger Rucki, there is more pivot action in the hand, where traction grooves at the middle two fingers would probably be OK, but the little finger and palm area by the little finger (opposite the thumb) get pretty raw with use. So, as much as I like the look of the factory grooved scales, I might likely ditch mine and start from scratch to create a smoother handle where the shape of the handle provides grip and control vs. the grooves.
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Also, my Rucki is stripped to full satin and ground to full convex.
It had been clearly stated that the Waki's were Differentially Heat Treated.
On ALL of my other SR-101 differentially heat-treated blades (Battle Rat, Camp Tramp, Chopweiler, M9, etc.) that were LE (Factory Satin) o CG's that were stripped, I can clearly see a distinct and clearly defined (typically fairly straight) temper line.
But, for some reason, I can not see any signs of a temper line in my Waki. Others who have stripped their Wakis have said the same - can't see a temper line. I don't know why....And I never saw an explanation for why there isn't a visible temper line ????....
But, Eric "Did" state:
"The edge is approx 58 - 60 RC. . . The body of the sword is spring tempered at around 48 - 52 RC.
It is differential because the two hardnesses are different."
So, all I can figure/assume is that somehow the "Process" for tempering the Wakis was different (???)
I like the "Look" of a temper line, but I guess the Waki's have proven their toughness pretty well. Personally, while I would love a nice looking hamon, I would rate toughness more important than the added coolness factor of a hamon.
--------
My version of the Rucki with micarta scales weighs about 24.5 ounces - again with slightly shorter handle than the factory version and some minor weight reduction from coating removal and full-convex grinding (probably around .0.5 - 0.75 ounce or so ?????). Even still, at 24.5 ounces, it is not exactly light, fast and nimble, but on par with heavy machetes and some longer Goloks, similar length Parangs and such.
I would say 24.5 ounces (to 27 ounces) with a blade at about 17" still slightly leans a bit more towards being a chopping tool and while decent at some slashing use, it would tend to get tiring much quicker than a lighter machete if used as a slashing tool. I think for effective slashing, 17 - 21 ounces or so is much more managable. In any event, the overall mass of the Waki at around 31-33 ounces vs. probably 26-27 ounces for the Rucki adds in chopping power for the Waki. But, also, the Waki gains a huge advantage if using two hands vs. one - where two hands add much more power and control for chopping.
--------------
In regards to your "Intended Use while motorcycling on remote roads it is perfect. Some of the states I travel through don't recognize my cwp and require a firearm to be unloaded, locked in a case, etc. The Rucki will provide a fast defensive option if I ever need it." ....
I would recommend extreme caution.
If by "Remote roads", you are referring to off-road woods, camping, hunting trails and similar that don't have much "Public" use, you might be OK.
But, I am pretty certain - especially when you mention "states you travel through" most cities and states do NOT allow carry of such a long blade in most areas outside of private property. If pulled over by an officer on a "Public road", you would be subjected to state laws and city laws both. Further, you would have to deal with general scrutiny of whatever given officer. I am pretty certain MOST officers would consider a Rucki to be an extremly "Offensive" weapon.
In some areas, carrying such a large blade (which would most certainly be viewed as an extreme weapon if carried on your person on public roads) might result in a much larger violation than carrying a gun without a license. The laws on blade lengths and blade types vary a LOT within the US, but I am pretty sure, in most cases, you would most likely be in violation of most blade laws around the country.
If you lived in the UK, you would probably go to jail for life.
.
Thanks for clarifying handle material to weight.
-------
I generally agree with your assessment on Rucki vs. Waki.
To add my two cents:
The Waki with two hands makes for a better chopper and a more powerfull two-handed weapon compared to the Rucki. I don't consider myself small or weak, but the Waki weight at 31-33 ounces is a bit hard to control with one hand. I can chop with the Waki with one hand - where the one hand just needs to control the direction of the Waki in "One" direction till impact. But, if needing to control the Waki and change directions such as machete type slashing back and forth, I feel the Waki is too heavy for any significant amount of one hand use. - Maybe OK for a few one-handed swings and slashes here and there, but easily best with two hands.
The Waki is "Pretty Good" as a chopper. But, if I wanted a dedicated chopper, I feel there are probably better options: axes, heavy Parangs and such.
And, I don't really care to "Slash" in the field with "Needing" both hands.
I don't have a true (Factory) Rucki, but instead, I chopped the handle of my Waki to make my own Rucki prior to the release of the factory Rucki. Since I didn't really want this blade as a dedicated chopper, I always wanted more of a single-handed tool with a bit less weight - More of a Super-Powered machete type tool - more conducive to easier carry and easier one-handed slashing.
IMO, the longer handled Waki is quite a bit large for carry - anywhere.
My Rucki has a slightly shorter handle than the factory Rucki. Currently, my handle length is about 6.125" - 6.2" or so. But, I am not completely done with mine. I want to re-build the handle to have a bit more swell in the middle grip area and significantly more swell at the rear (more like a Kukri or Gladius to help secure grip and balance). I like the look and grip(traction) provided by the factory grooved scales, but with just a bit of use, the scales get fairly abrasive on the hands if not wearing gloves. When chopping, the Rucki moves around in your hand creating hot spots more than a 10" bladed chopping knife. With a 10" or so blade, I sometimes pivot chop, but can also just grip the handle to reduce movement. But, with the larger Rucki, there is more pivot action in the hand, where traction grooves at the middle two fingers would probably be OK, but the little finger and palm area by the little finger (opposite the thumb) get pretty raw with use. So, as much as I like the look of the factory grooved scales, I might likely ditch mine and start from scratch to create a smoother handle where the shape of the handle provides grip and control vs. the grooves.
--------
Also, my Rucki is stripped to full satin and ground to full convex.
It had been clearly stated that the Waki's were Differentially Heat Treated.
On ALL of my other SR-101 differentially heat-treated blades (Battle Rat, Camp Tramp, Chopweiler, M9, etc.) that were LE (Factory Satin) o CG's that were stripped, I can clearly see a distinct and clearly defined (typically fairly straight) temper line.
But, for some reason, I can not see any signs of a temper line in my Waki. Others who have stripped their Wakis have said the same - can't see a temper line. I don't know why....And I never saw an explanation for why there isn't a visible temper line ????....
But, Eric "Did" state:
"The edge is approx 58 - 60 RC. . . The body of the sword is spring tempered at around 48 - 52 RC.
It is differential because the two hardnesses are different."
So, all I can figure/assume is that somehow the "Process" for tempering the Wakis was different (???)
I like the "Look" of a temper line, but I guess the Waki's have proven their toughness pretty well. Personally, while I would love a nice looking hamon, I would rate toughness more important than the added coolness factor of a hamon.
--------
My version of the Rucki with micarta scales weighs about 24.5 ounces - again with slightly shorter handle than the factory version and some minor weight reduction from coating removal and full-convex grinding (probably around .0.5 - 0.75 ounce or so ?????). Even still, at 24.5 ounces, it is not exactly light, fast and nimble, but on par with heavy machetes and some longer Goloks, similar length Parangs and such.
I would say 24.5 ounces (to 27 ounces) with a blade at about 17" still slightly leans a bit more towards being a chopping tool and while decent at some slashing use, it would tend to get tiring much quicker than a lighter machete if used as a slashing tool. I think for effective slashing, 17 - 21 ounces or so is much more managable. In any event, the overall mass of the Waki at around 31-33 ounces vs. probably 26-27 ounces for the Rucki adds in chopping power for the Waki. But, also, the Waki gains a huge advantage if using two hands vs. one - where two hands add much more power and control for chopping.
--------------
In regards to your "Intended Use while motorcycling on remote roads it is perfect. Some of the states I travel through don't recognize my cwp and require a firearm to be unloaded, locked in a case, etc. The Rucki will provide a fast defensive option if I ever need it." ....
I would recommend extreme caution.
If by "Remote roads", you are referring to off-road woods, camping, hunting trails and similar that don't have much "Public" use, you might be OK.
But, I am pretty certain - especially when you mention "states you travel through" most cities and states do NOT allow carry of such a long blade in most areas outside of private property. If pulled over by an officer on a "Public road", you would be subjected to state laws and city laws both. Further, you would have to deal with general scrutiny of whatever given officer. I am pretty certain MOST officers would consider a Rucki to be an extremly "Offensive" weapon.
In some areas, carrying such a large blade (which would most certainly be viewed as an extreme weapon if carried on your person on public roads) might result in a much larger violation than carrying a gun without a license. The laws on blade lengths and blade types vary a LOT within the US, but I am pretty sure, in most cases, you would most likely be in violation of most blade laws around the country.
If you lived in the UK, you would probably go to jail for life.
.
DWRW,
Excellent assessment. I'm pretty careful regarding knife laws in Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and California. The states I ride in the most. WY recognizes my Idaho cwp, and I'm in the process of obtaining another OR permit. CA outside LA, and a couple other areas has no limit on a folding blade size. I lived in San Diego for seven years and carried a Rajah 2. Fortunately I don't spend time in the cities, and my camping gear strapped to my bike gives a clear indication of why I'm carrying a bush blade. Still, you are right to say one must practice caution, sometimes LE personnel have a vague understanding of the laws they enforce.
Excellent assessment. I'm pretty careful regarding knife laws in Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and California. The states I ride in the most. WY recognizes my Idaho cwp, and I'm in the process of obtaining another OR permit. CA outside LA, and a couple other areas has no limit on a folding blade size. I lived in San Diego for seven years and carried a Rajah 2. Fortunately I don't spend time in the cities, and my camping gear strapped to my bike gives a clear indication of why I'm carrying a bush blade. Still, you are right to say one must practice caution, sometimes LE personnel have a vague understanding of the laws they enforce.