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Wolf Nightshade
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 3:07 pm


These guys arnt the greatest but its an ok video.
x

Some more mixed sword sparring vids.
http://www.rsw.com.hk/videos.htm
PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 5:14 pm


Ha! Longsword vs. Katana... a fantasy that I have always loved. Naturally, longsword is the winner. I am honest, the style and design of longsword/greatsword combat is just much more efficiant. The Katana is too limited in it's parries as well...

Yes, the katana wielder was not as good as the longswordsman, but it's still easy to see the superiority of the sword design. The longsword just requires less movement, it's more economical. One of the big turnoffs of the katana is the complete lack of a crossguard... just the useless tsuba.

Hylonomus
Crew


Wolf Nightshade
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 6:31 pm


I am trying to find some better videos of things like that but it don't look like to many people do these kinds of things.
PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 1:56 pm


Yea, that's a shame. It's difficult enough to find people using longswords and greatswords let alone ones fighting against other sword art practioners.

Hylonomus
Crew


MikaelAuralius

PostPosted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:21 pm


Hylonomus
Ha! Longsword vs. Katana... a fantasy that I have always loved. Naturally, longsword is the winner. I am honest, the style and design of longsword/greatsword combat is just much more efficiant. The Katana is too limited in it's parries as well...

Yes, the katana wielder was not as good as the longswordsman, but it's still easy to see the superiority of the sword design. The longsword just requires less movement, it's more economical. One of the big turnoffs of the katana is the complete lack of a crossguard... just the useless tsuba.


To be quite honest, there is actually a sword that is more effective than both because it combines the best qualities of both weapons.
The Middle Eastern Scimitar has both the weight and striking force of the european broadsword and longsword, while it also has the balanced curved blade of the katana, allowing it to do far more damage to its target when it slashes.
A Longsword/Broadsword cuts with only a single area of the blade, making its effectiveness as a slashing and cutting weapon rather limited. It has more weight than a katana giving its swings more power, which can be used to knock opponents off balance.
A Katana, because of its curved blade cuts with the full length of the blade between the closest portion to the hilt that strikes the target to the tip of the blade. They have less weight, making them more effective for quick strikes, and serve their purpose best when used in very close range. Yet due to their lack of weight they also lack the force that a broadsword or longsword have behind their swings.
A typical scimitar has the mechanics of both of these weapons. It has the weight of a broadsword or longsword, and the curved blade of the katana. As a result the scimitar has the cutting potential of a katana, and the striking force of a broadsword or longsword.

As far as personal preferences go, I'm more of a fan of the lighter swords that allow for more mobility and can serve as effective offensive or defensive weapons. Rapiers, Sabers, and Katanas are among my favorites, though even so, the scimitar is mechanically the most effecient sword design. Having spent time practicing with my katanas and the time I spent studying Fencing (not too long, i didn't really like the sport, well more accuratly, it wasn't what I was looking for), I have aquired a liking for those kinds of weapons. (I'm still trying to find a decent[preferably hand-forged with good-quality steel] Sakabatou, if anyone knows of any shops that sell them please let me know)

Back to the topic of Longsword -vs- Katana.
It is more a matter of personal preference, and also keep in mind that all it takes is one mistake from either side to loose a duel, regardless of the weapon being used. In some cases a handguard can actually get in the way when fighting, An accurate thrust that connects with the handguard can knock the weapon from the person's hands. Though as I said earlier, it is a matter of personal preference. I've outlined most of the mechanics of the weapons and their designs above and both have their strengths and weaknesses.
PostPosted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:27 am


The scimitar is far from a perfect weapon. It is very similiar to a saber, and in some cases almost identical. However, unlike the saber, the scimitar was designed as a pick up and swing weapon against lightly armored opponents.

Longswords were the the same weight, if not lighter then katanas. Katanas were rarely fullered and generally had a iron core, making them heavier.

Longswords were generally thrusting weapons more then cutting weapons, although were effective at both.

The katana is severely overrated. The entire design of the weapon is a product of its drawbacks. Poor quality steel required the use of complex folding and use of clays in heating. The shape of the sword is common as a cavalry weapon, as it usually was before the Edo period, and the distict slanted tip was designed to strengthen the foible, as the previous pointed design often broke off when fighting armored opponents.

Hylonomus
Crew


Wolf Nightshade
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:16 pm


Armor is a big factor every one would need to realy under stand it's a major reason the weapons are the way they are. The Katana was created because the Japanese had a hard time against Mongol armor. I don't know how a Katana would do against full plate. Any way we would realy have to think of it as an unarmored duel.

So we are down to the size, shape and use of techniques I feel the long sword offers more options than a Katana and I feel a sword such as a b*****d sword would have a reach advantage. One other thing I have been thinking about is how a Katana would handel a blow from a biger sword I dout it would get into a situation where it could be snaped but a good hard swing would probably not be to good on it. A long sword or whatever has two edges not just one meaning you could use it just as well on the back swing force the Katana down or to the side and than bring your sword right up under the guys chin or acros his head.
PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:31 pm


A longsword and b*****d sword are the same thing. What many people mistake as a longsword is actually an arming sword or knightly sword. The difference is that the longsword/b*****d sword is longer, and is meant to be used with both hands. The arming sword/knightly sword is one handed and is meant to be used in conjuction with a shield, dagger or mace.

Hylonomus
Crew


GenkiPseudo

PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:34 pm


Wolf3001
Armor is a big factor every one would need to realy under stand it's a major reason the weapons are the way they are. The Katana was created because the Japanese had a hard time against Mongol armor. I don't know how a Katana would do against full plate. Any way we would realy have to think of it as an unarmored duel.

So we are down to the size, shape and use of techniques I feel the long sword offers more options than a Katana and I feel a sword such as a b*****d sword would have a reach advantage. One other thing I have been thinking about is how a Katana would handel a blow from a biger sword I dout it would get into a situation where it could be snaped but a good hard swing would probably not be to good on it. A long sword or whatever has two edges not just one meaning you could use it just as well on the back swing force the Katana down or to the side and than bring your sword right up under the guys chin or acros his head.


The katana would suck against full plate, as would most swords. The idea against full plate is to put enough force on it to crack the plate, hence we have weapons such as greatswords and claymores.
PostPosted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:30 pm


Angel_Abaddon
Wolf3001
Armor is a big factor every one would need to realy under stand it's a major reason the weapons are the way they are. The Katana was created because the Japanese had a hard time against Mongol armor. I don't know how a Katana would do against full plate. Any way we would realy have to think of it as an unarmored duel.

So we are down to the size, shape and use of techniques I feel the long sword offers more options than a Katana and I feel a sword such as a b*****d sword would have a reach advantage. One other thing I have been thinking about is how a Katana would handel a blow from a biger sword I dout it would get into a situation where it could be snaped but a good hard swing would probably not be to good on it. A long sword or whatever has two edges not just one meaning you could use it just as well on the back swing force the Katana down or to the side and than bring your sword right up under the guys chin or acros his head.


The katana would suck against full plate, as would most swords. The idea against full plate is to put enough force on it to crack the plate, hence we have weapons such as greatswords and claymores.


Actually you would never use a sword to bludgeon plate mail. Claymores and Greatswords were designed to cut through lightly armored opponents, and pierce armor. Longswords and greatswords alike both had a style of fighitng "Halfswording" that was used for fighting heavily armored opponents. This technique is where you grip the blade with your hand and pierce weak points in armor as well as strike with the crossguard and pommel. Greatswords even had the first quarter of the blade dulled, as well as a second crossguard a quarter or halfway down the blade to protect the hand.

A better weapon to use against an armored opponent is a mace or warhammer. Some axes were designed for use against heavily armored opponents as well, these usually contained a special armor spike on one end, and a thick, chisel-like blade.

Hylonomus
Crew


Aiki-Hooligan

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:53 am


I still just asume go with a mideval broadsword or hand and a half sword. *nods* the Kendo and such are overatted thanks to hollywood. Think about it....who were knights fighting back in the day? Barbarians,brigands,etc,etc,etc....basicly everyone and their brothers...who was japan fighting? Themselfs. They didn't and couldn't possible compare themselfs against other sword styles since they were an isolated nation.
PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:58 pm


Aiki-Hooligan
I still just asume go with a mideval broadsword or hand and a half sword. *nods* the Kendo and such are overatted thanks to hollywood. Think about it....who were knights fighting back in the day? Barbarians,brigands,etc,etc,etc....basicly everyone and their brothers...who was japan fighting? Themselfs. They didn't and couldn't possible compare themselfs against other sword styles since they were an isolated nation.


Well, Japan had experience fighting China, Korea and Mongolia. However the armor and weapons of these nations don't come close to the craftsmanship and sophistication of the armor and weapons of medieval and rennisance Europe.

Europeans did contact Japan and trade with them, some wealthy Samurai bought plate mail to replace their sub-par armor system.

Hylonomus
Crew


Wolf Nightshade
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:53 pm


The japanese were forced to use different forging methods from what I have heard witch would have a major effect on how the swords could be made from what I have read the fule for there forges was not as good as in other places. For the most part China and Japan had the same weapons for a long time and being on that island made it hard to make things we see in Europe.
PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:22 am


Hylonomus
Aiki-Hooligan
I still just asume go with a mideval broadsword or hand and a half sword. *nods* the Kendo and such are overatted thanks to hollywood. Think about it....who were knights fighting back in the day? Barbarians,brigands,etc,etc,etc....basicly everyone and their brothers...who was japan fighting? Themselfs. They didn't and couldn't possible compare themselfs against other sword styles since they were an isolated nation.


Well, Japan had experience fighting China, Korea and Mongolia. However the armor and weapons of these nations don't come close to the craftsmanship and sophistication of the armor and weapons of medieval and rennisance Europe.

Europeans did contact Japan and trade with them, some wealthy Samurai bought plate mail to replace their sub-par armor system.



Correct ! BUT, that wasn't long until we forced open their ports. We had evolved LONG beyond anything they had. Their isolation was their own undoing almost.

Aiki-Hooligan


Vicious_Truth
Captain

PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:43 am


It is a matter of preference and skill than what sword is better because truly it is not the sword that kills for a sword cannot act on its own but its the person who uses their skills and abilities through out a battle and or duel. I myself would choose a katana as a primary style from the japanese above others and my second pick would be a knighly sword. Since I am not tall enough nor have the arm length to wield a great sword / b*****d sword .
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The United Martial Artists Guild

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