My Sword vs. Their Sword

[SeventhSentinel]

I was inspired by the thread East Meets West. I have always wondered about the weapons of the world facing eachother i.e. Samurai vs Muskeeteer. Basically, if a rapier clashed with a katana what would happen? Stabbing and slashing vs slicing. Could a katana cut through a rapier? Would a scmitar break a katana? etc. etc.

[TimothyKleinert]

Here are the only two articles that I (personally) know about on the topic:

http://www.thehaca.com/essays/knightvs.htm
http://www.thehaca.com/essays/katanavs.htm

The first is one the oft-debated knight vs. samurai, and the second is on katana vs. rapier.

It sum it all up: There are too many variables to give a definitive answer. Counter-intuitively, it's difficult to discuss fighting in generic terms, you almost always need to discuss specific people, times, places, etc. Often it simply comes down to individual skill. Also, it's inappropiate to compare the two, because they existed for different purposes. (I think he likens it to complaring a jungle fighter and a nordic rifleman/solder.)

This is one of those topics that comes up from time to time.

[glad2bhere]

FYI---

Amberger did a pretty decent job of reviewing the historic arguement of thrust vs cut mechanics down through the ages.
See SECRET HISTORY OF THE SWORD by J Christof Amberger by Unique Publications, 1996 (ISBN 1-892515-04-0).

Best Wishes,

Bruce

[pgsmith]

Basically, if a rapier clashed with a katana what would happen? Stabbing and slashing vs slicing. Could a katana cut through a rapier? Would a scmitar break a katana? etc. etc.

If that were to happen, both parties would go to jail, if they survived. Fighting with swords is illegal in today's society. If you are wondering about what would have happened back when sword use was legal, then you can imagine any scenario you choose. Since it's just imagination, the outcome can be anything you imagine it to be. Reality doesn't count for much when imagining.

I think maybe I should just expend my energy training, and leave the imagining to those that enjoy it. Please disregard my cynicism.

Cheers,

[Charlie Kondek]

Dutch and Spanish navies had to deal with Japanese and Chinese pirates so perhaps clashes with these kinds of weapons happened there. Pretty sure it was an even match.