I think the ricasso length is sometimes determined by the guard length. The longer the guard comes down in front of the index finger, the more forward the choil can be away from the guard. This will make sharpening with a stone easier.
I dont think either one of these knives have a particularly long ricasso. They look pretty good to me. These knives are patterned after what is sometimes called the ABS look. The ABS teaches that the width to height ratio of the ricaso should be about 1 to 1.41. The 1 being from guard to plunge.
Just my opinion. Lin