Re: Euro Swords
Originally posted by Deshi
Guy,
In fact, over this weekend, I'm hoping to have my MA instructor do a goza cut with his katana and my basket-hilt broadsword to compare damage differences. (Of course, I suspect the broadsword won't fare well.... but why not?!?! :-) )
Good luck in your pursuits. There is as much garbage and speculation in the Euro side of things as there is in Japanese. Keep clear of the SCA and you should do alright.
Gary Beckstedt
"He who dies with the most toys... is still dead."
If you want to know why not, it's a matter of blade geometry and the design of the swords. Your basket hilt sword was designed essentially for hacking, hard straight cuts with no perpendicular motion to assist the cut. These weapons were used with shields, and the sword had to take abuses that the katana was not meant to withstand. The katana on the other hand is designed to slice. Although both swords should cut, each is designed with different tactics in mind, so the cut shouldn't be about determining which sword is "better".
And there's really nothing wrong with the SCA, I used to be a member way back when it was just people getting drunk and hitting each other with sticks. I admit it's gone too wierd for my personal tastes and if you remember that SCA combat is to historical combat what Taco Bell is to fine French cuisine, you'll be all right. Say what you like about them, they have the best food and usually all the mead and homebrew you can drink...forget the stick fighting and just go to eat.
Dan Beaird
The best time to be a hero is when all the other chaps are dead, God rest 'em, and you can take the credit.
H. Flashman V.C., K.C.B., K.C.I.E.