Soul Calibur 2 Weapon Guide

Soul Calibur 2 boosted a huge amount of weapons, totalling 11 per character (when all are unlocked). This enables all kinds of style of play and gives that extra bit of variation to a battle. Of course, this is a Maxi shrine, so we'll just be looking at his. ;) -

Soryuju (1P) and Soryuju (2P)

In-Game Description: "A nunchaku that Maxi created when he set out once again on a mission of revenge. The name means 'Gathering of Revived Dragon," and presumably it indicates his determination to avenge his crew. Since he made it himself, it is well-balanced and exceedingly easy to handle."
Note: Your basic weapon with no added properties. 1P Soryuju is black and silver, 2P Soryuju is reddish (wood) and gold. You'll be using this more than anything else, purely because you're given no other choice in the game's standard modes. In Weapons Master mode and the 'Extra' modes, however, you probably won't even touch it.
Properties: "Most familiar and well-balanced weapon for him." In other words, no extra properties.

Tetsuryu

In-Game Description: "A nunchaku consisting of nothing more than two iron bars chained together. It was created for sheer offensive power. Unfortunately, because it is difficult to grip, it is hard to make use of the full destructive power it can deliver."
Note: Nothing very special. In fact, I'd advise you to avoid it. You don't want to get too far from your opponent if you're Maxi, so having the ability to knock the enemy back further isn't really a bonus!
Properties: "Powerful single strikes, but lacks offense." Decreases offensive power to 85% of standard. Increases ability to knock enemy back (in my experience).

Chained Kozuka

In-Game Description: "Two short swords, each with a short blade and long hilt, connected with thread. It was originally conceived by a street performer as a prop for use in acrobatics. It definitely lacks the sturdiness of a real weapon."
Note: One of Maxi's biggest weaknesses is his short reach, so any weapon that increases his reach is good. True, your defense is decreased, but a Maxi master can overcome this with ease. Modified Flail or Fuzoroi is better, though.
Properties: "Long reach, but lacks defense." Decreases defense to 70% of standard. Increase reach.

Fatibal

In-Game Description: "Special nunchaku made of wood from the Palisander tree. It was made to match Maxi's Shissen Karihadi fighting attacks as well as the strength of his arms. Created by one of Maxi's crew, it is the ultimate Maxi-specific weapon. It does still have the unavoidable weakness of all wooden weapons, but nevertheless there is no other weapon that fits Maxi as well as this one."
Note: A good weapon for a purely offensive character. A boost to attack power is always a bonus! On another note, this is Maxi's weapon from Soul Calibur 1, with which he killed Astaroth (sadly, as we all know, the giant resurrected... X3).
Properties: "Good offense, but lack defense." Decreases defense to 70% of standard. Increases offense to 130% of standard.

Raimei

In-Game Description: "Nunchaku that is said to be able to generate lightning. It once belonged to the famous martial artist Li Wang, but because he never took an apprentice it went unused for a long period after his death. It is said that the wielder can increase the strength of the lightning by focusing his will."
Note: Similiar to the Falcon weapon, and I don't like it very much. Good offense, but you take damage and can be open to attack!
Properties: "Offense increases with Soul Charge, but wielder receives damage." If you Soul Charge, you are damaged but get an offense bonus. These effects decrease over time.

Fuzoroi

In-Game Description: "An unusually-shaped Nunchaku with two differently-sized rods. Like a western flail, it is used by gripping the longer end and swinging it. It appears to have been created primarily as a foot soldier weapon. Its weight balance is poor, and using it to defend against attacks is difficult."
Note: Another reach increasing weapon, you need to choose which one you prefer - this or Modified Flail. My preference is for Modified Flail, but it really depends on which negative effect you feel you can handle better.
Properties: "Long reach and good offense, but vulnerable to impact." Increases offense to 120% of standard. Increases reach. However, you become vulnerable to impact.

Modified Flail

In-Game Description: "A European weapon consisting of a long rod chained to a short rod with an attached point. It is swung while gripping the longer stick. Thius particular one is an experimental weapon created by Maxi by cutting down the size of the longer end to convert into a nunchaku. Since it was not designed to be used this way, if not handled skillfully it will injure the wielder instead."
Note: Another reach increasing weapon, you need to choose which one you prefer - this or Fuzoroi. My preference is for this weapon, but it really depends on which negative effect you feel you can handle better.
Properties: "Long reach, but guard is penetrable." Reach is increased, but when your are hit when guarding 20% of damage is allowed through."

Falcon

In-Game Description: "A modified nunchaku with a blade on each end. Its damage-dealing ability is greatly increased, but in turn, it requires great skill to handle. Li Long, a Chinese martial artist, was famous for using this weapon. It is said that its sharpness increases in proportion to the wielder's stength of will."
Note: Not a very good weapon, unfortunately. The offense bonus is very good, but getting in enough Soul Charges to make it worthwhile is hard. There are far better choices in Maxi's inventory (sorry, Li Long fans! XD).
Properties: "Offense increases with Soul Charge, but requires energy to wield." Soul charging gives you an offense bonus. This effect decreases over time. Health decreases when using this weapon.

Soul Edge (Complete)

In-Game Description: "An evil blade with a reputation for devouring souls. This weapon is also known to be a shape-shifter - which form it takes depends on its current owner. The forms it has taken are legendary, as are the souls of the renowned warriors it has consumed. Only those with great mental discipline can retain their will while wielding this weapon. Not only does it promise death to one's opponent, it threatens the life of the wielder as well."
Note: An excellent weapon, provided you're not one for drawn-out battles. And who is, really? Maxi is a get-in and take-them-out-NOW kinda guy.
Properties: "Fearsome demonic weapon said to penetrate defenses..." Increase offense to 130% of standard. Opponents who are hit by this weapon when guarding still receive 40% of the damage. Decreases health over time.

Vajra

In-Game Description: "The Vajra is said to be the weapon of the esoteric Buddhist Gods and can be seen on various Buddhist items such as statues. It is said to have the power to destroy the enemies of Buddha. It possesses great destructive, but unleashing that power requires its wielder to literally fight with the dedication of the martyr."
Note: Woah... that is one heck of a power boost. In fact, it happens to be one of the biggest power boosts in the game! When you get that good a boost, though, you're bound to have a huge negative effect to balance it. Can you fight without blocking? Just how skilled are you? You'll soon find out...
Properties: "Legendary weapon. Wield it to discover its true power!" Increases offense to 180% of standard. However, when using this weapon guarding is ineffective.

Termite Snack

In-Game Description: "An old nunchaku left behind in storage in Maxi's home of Shuri in Ryukyu. It is believed that these are the very first nunchaku he used when he began his training. It isn't very useful as a weapon, but perhaps it might cause an opponent to let down their guard."
Note: Just a weapon for fun, this. Don't even think about using it against real people, because you'll lose! Ah, Maxi's first weapon. Back when he was a teen. Can you imagine what he was like...?
Properties: "Old and decrepit weapon filled with memories of a raging adolesence." Decreases offense to 80% of standard. Decreases defense to 80% of standard. Changes hit sound.