Katana vs Broadsword...test cutting- National Geographic

katana · 22nd September 2009, 06:10 PM

Various 'cut' testing has concluded that it is not just the sharpness, or angle that the blade is sharpened , but the 'polish' of the blade that affects cutting performance.

A highly polished blade has less drag as it slices and aids cutting ability. A characteristic of katana blades.

It does not make sense to compare a Katana to a Broadsword. Broadswords were heavier and generally designed to fight against heavily armoured opponents. The katana was not.

Regards David

fearn · 22nd September 2009, 06:43 PM

It's too bad Albion sword videos of the testing with their traditional blades. The videos I remember showed something you can't do with a katana: cutting the mat on an upward diagonal, using the back edge. The demonstrator did that not only with a replica arming sword, but also with a gladius, and in both cases, he did it one handed. Granted the guy was a smith with Conan-style arms, but it was still an interesting demonstration. The Cold Steel videos show similar results.

Bottom line is that a well made western blade (i.e. Albion) cuts at least as well as a katana, and a heavy Chinese dao can cut even better (if you believe Cold Steel). If you use a single demonstrator who is familiar with all the blades and test cuts them all against the same type of target, the katana shows little if any superiority. IMHO, the katana really shines when you have Mr. black-belt kendoka demonstrating against Mr. Joe Average reenactor.

Best,

F

KuKulzA28 · 22nd September 2009, 08:42 PM

Ah kronckew, I expected you to come in and elaborate on that.

I have read that before too, very cool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearn

The videos I remember showed something you can't do with a katana: cutting the mat on an upward diagonal, using the back edge.

Perhaps versatility is something not often tested for? I feel as though all weapons have been developed for the type of warfare encountered or practiced by those cultures... the "soft" iron swords of the Celts was perfectly acceptable at the time considering the warfare and technology but would be near-useless for a Spanish foot soldier in the 14th century.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

A Cat doesn't do anything it doesn't have to .

So true.

22nd September 2009, 06:10 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Various 'cut' testing has concluded that it is not just the sharpness, or angle that the blade is sharpened , but the 'polish' of the blade that affects cutting performance. A highly polished blade has less drag as it slices and aids cutting ability. A characteristic of katana blades. It does not make sense to compare a Katana to a Broadsword. Broadswords were heavier and generally designed to fight against heavily armoured opponents. The katana was not. Regards David

22nd September 2009, 06:43 PM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	It's too bad Albion sword videos of the testing with their traditional blades. The videos I remember showed something you can't do with a katana: cutting the mat on an upward diagonal, using the back edge. The demonstrator did that not only with a replica arming sword, but also with a gladius, and in both cases, he did it one handed. Granted the guy was a smith with Conan-style arms, but it was still an interesting demonstration. The Cold Steel videos show similar results. Bottom line is that a well made western blade (i.e. Albion) cuts at least as well as a katana, and a heavy Chinese dao can cut even better (if you believe Cold Steel). If you use a single demonstrator who is familiar with all the blades and test cuts them all against the same type of target, the katana shows little if any superiority. IMHO, the katana really shines when you have Mr. black-belt kendoka demonstrating against Mr. Joe Average reenactor. Best, F