Awesome comparison review Vic. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I haven't had a chance to use my Waki yet. But, your review pretty much sums up what I expected.
I expected the Waki to offer and deliver more power if gripped at the back or if using it's optional two handed grip. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
And I expected the lighter and shorter oal Northwind to be more nimble and long machete like - yet still cut and chop very well..... as I pretty much already knew. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I expected BOTH to be sufficiently tough and BOTH are GREAT tools. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
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While writing this, I pulled out my Northwind and it bit me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
I still have my Northwind's old (now worn) card-board blade cover. I keep Ren-Wax on the blade, but 0170-6 is as prone to rust as SR-101. So, I don't store in it's leather sheath (Northwind came with leather sheath). Actually, I never store ANY of my knives in leather sheaths. But, I do keep quite a few of the blades in kydex if they come with kydex.
I normally" only grab that VERY sharp blade by the handle. But, I had it standing vertically between my credenza andknife storage drawers under my credenza (too long to fit in drawers ). The handle fell back, so I pulled it out by the blade cover tip with my right hand and stupid for a second reached with left hand to grap the back closer to the handle to not beat it up when dragging it out from between the tight spot it was in. And right as my left hand was reaching the blade the cardboard slipped forward to expose blade. I just "barely" touched the blade and I got a nice little slice on my left index finger. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />
I try to be careful with these sharp things. They do bite. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
My Cheness Katana still makes me quite nervous when handling. Honestly, the Northwind is 2nd behind the Katana. Their size along with those VICIOUSLY sharp convex edges require respect and attention. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
My Waki doesn't have that type of edge yet..... Someday. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
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