Destructive Sword Test.... Machine Gun vs. Katana

ariel · 16th August 2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Ariel

The blade was made specifically for this test by the sword maker why is it stupid? The maker did this to prove a point that properly made blades can hold up to great amounts of punishment. It is not like they took a Masamune out of the museum and shot at it.

Lew

I missed the point. If it is a new sword and if it was made specifically as a "crush dummy", then... go ahead! Make my day!

BSMStar · 16th August 2006, 01:07 PM

How did they make such a crash dummy?

Jeff, you may be interested in this.

Making of Katana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9ofKvsMDgc&NR

katana · 18th August 2006, 10:14 PM

Found this ....thought it may be relavent...

As Odin says in the Hovamal:

"Praise no day 'til evening;

no wife 'til on her pyre;

no sword 'til tested;

no maid 'til bedded;

no ice 'til crossed;

no ale 'til drunk."

Ah, and I'm following his advice.......but still trying to find an ale I shouldn't praise

Rivkin · 18th August 2006, 11:00 PM

I think 9mm civilian is by far incapable of penetrating steel targets. Would the results be different if instead of a sword one would use a steel prybar ? I don't know, but I would think that any properly prepared steel bar would do even better than a sword due to its geometry - I doubt if 30 cal rifle with ordinary bullets can penetrate more than 5mm of steel, 20(?)mm if one is using AP.
This reminds of the story a few years ago when a big "sensei" in an american nihonto community seriously damaged reporduction of a XVIth century helmet using a reproduction katana. It was covered as an example of immense quality of japanese style weapons and immense talents of the "sensei". Shortly after it the whole bunch of different "reenactment" people started to squash helmet using axes, warhammers, swords, maheiras, god knows what else. Some failed miserably, some completely wacked their test subjects.

I think the same effect is here - people do not act surprised that bullets are stopped by a synthetic fiber similar to that used in pantyhoses, but we don't see very foten what happens when bullet meets sword.

BSMStar · 21st August 2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

- people do not act surprised that bullets are stopped by a synthetic fiber similar to that used in pantyhoses, but we don't see very foten what happens when bullet meets sword.

Keep in mind for the 50 cal...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.50_BMG

"The M2 would, however, go on to function as an anti-armour machine gun, and decades later, be used in high-powered rifles..... During World War II it found its usage in penetrating lightly armoured vehicles, including aircraft."

I agree that a 9mm ain't that impressive. One shot at that. But seven rounds of 50....

That's just crazy. I would not want to try stopping just one round of 50 with today's body armor.... wouldn't that be suicide?

Rivkin · 22nd August 2006, 12:37 AM

aircrafts were usually made from wood, dural or other similarly non bulletproof materials. light armored vehicles (APC) usually have 5mm or so of armour. Sword is like 25mm wide - it is a completely different class, more like a tank.

BSMStar · 22nd August 2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

aircrafts were usually made from wood, dural or other similarly non bulletproof materials. light armored vehicles (APC) usually have 5mm or so of armour. Sword is like 25mm wide - it is a completely different class, more like a tank.

The quote from the link, talks about the development of the 50 cal from Browning (around WWI) to WWII where it was used for anti-aircraft (due to its reach) and anti-armor (due to its penetration). Of course as new weapons are introduced, new armor is developed. If I recall, the Britt’s started using their 88s against developing German armor since nothing else seemed to penetrate it. Today, you tend to "melt" your way through the "new" armor, and so it goes... back to the armor chalk board.

Cutting seven of these 50s in half with a sword, what can I say... I am easy to impress (it made a nice tank).

But the real question... since not all "tanks" are equal, (and are you suggesting this is true) do all swords have the same "strength" to stand up and split 7 rounds of 50?

16th August 2006, 01:07 PM	#2
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	How did they make such a crash dummy? Jeff, you may be interested in this. Making of Katana: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9ofKvsMDgc&NR

18th August 2006, 10:14 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Found this ....thought it may be relavent... As Odin says in the Hovamal: "Praise no day 'til evening; no wife 'til on her pyre; no sword 'til tested; no maid 'til bedded; no ice 'til crossed; no ale 'til drunk." Ah, and I'm following his advice.......but still trying to find an ale I shouldn't praise

18th August 2006, 11:00 PM	#4
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	I think 9mm civilian is by far incapable of penetrating steel targets. Would the results be different if instead of a sword one would use a steel prybar ? I don't know, but I would think that any properly prepared steel bar would do even better than a sword due to its geometry - I doubt if 30 cal rifle with ordinary bullets can penetrate more than 5mm of steel, 20(?)mm if one is using AP. This reminds of the story a few years ago when a big "sensei" in an american nihonto community seriously damaged reporduction of a XVIth century helmet using a reproduction katana. It was covered as an example of immense quality of japanese style weapons and immense talents of the "sensei". Shortly after it the whole bunch of different "reenactment" people started to squash helmet using axes, warhammers, swords, maheiras, god knows what else. Some failed miserably, some completely wacked their test subjects. I think the same effect is here - people do not act surprised that bullets are stopped by a synthetic fiber similar to that used in pantyhoses, but we don't see very foten what happens when bullet meets sword.

22nd August 2006, 12:37 AM	#6
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	aircrafts were usually made from wood, dural or other similarly non bulletproof materials. light armored vehicles (APC) usually have 5mm or so of armour. Sword is like 25mm wide - it is a completely different class, more like a tank.