lmao a Katana will definitely cut through just anything as long it's properly used. doesn't anyone understand how shields work though? A Samurai isn't going to simply shatter the Spartans shield by landing a direct strike. Swords are designed to pierce but the katanas require a striking tactic. Shields are designed to stave off striking attacks. A Katana is not going to slice through a spartan shield if it's being handled by an expert Soldier. The Spartan is at high risk of impaled though. Although the shield should prove strong enough to defend against striking attacks, A katana will easily pierce though that *****, again, however, that leaves the Samurai open for heavy counter.
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Being able to cut through something that's just sitting there, and being able to cut something in heated combat, are two totally different things. Same reason why breaking bricks doesn't mean shit in martial arts.
Registered: Jul 2005
Location: Captain's Chair, CA
Katana isn't cutting through a heavy bronze shield, which is curved to deflect blows, come on. This doesn't mean the spartan wins though.
Myth Busters tested varies swords against each other, a genuinely forged katana was able to break a cheaply made one, this wasn't a cut though, cheap sword simply broke due to stress.
Katana also faired well against a claymore, since it bent and absorbed the much heavier hit, speaks well of the katana's superior design.
Registered: Jul 2005
Location: Captain's Chair, CA
Because the claymore is a very large and very heavy sword. The katana has a very high level of durability, despite it being a thin blade; it achieves this due to it's superior folding/forging/cooling process.
Registered: Jul 2005
Location: Captain's Chair, CA
Still unlikely to cut through a heavy bronze/wood shield, though.
Under the perfect conditions, where the shield is stationary and the katana has a perfectly clean blow coming down on the shield's from an overhand strike, sure, it might cut in a few inches.
They both have two very different purposes though. A claymore is used for power ....,knocking people down or disorienting them. A Katana is used for swift strikes.. I don't think anyone is arguing the quality of a Katana. The hilt of a Claymore with break far sooner than a claymore
__________________ "If you tell the truth, you never have to remember anything" -Twain
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Unlikely that the Samurai would try to cut through his shield in a fight, yes. It could be done by a skilled/strong samurai, though. Should be no problem, which was my original point.
If you laid the shield on some platform, and the Samurai prepped for the swing, it could possibly be cut through. (what thickness was the iron? What shape was it?)
In the middle of a fight? No, it would never happen.
It's curved to create a cut on regular surfaces. Not on surfaces that are designed to resist such cuts. Additionally, part of a shield's defensive power is that if you hit it, your blade is turned to an angle by the curve, and "skates off" harmlessly.
Katana's have been proven to have trouble cutting through even chain mail. Cutting through a shield is complete nonsense.
"Katanas are powerful swords used with strong techniques, but thinking they could simply cleave through a stout Medieval shield is absurd. Even with a katana a shield cannot simply be sliced through. Medieval shields were fairly thick wood covered in leather and usually trimmed in metal. Not only that, they were highly maneuverable, making solid, shearing blows difficult. More likely, a blade would be momentarily stuck in the rim if it struck too forcefully. Unlike what is seen in the movies, or described in heroic literature, chopping into a shield's edge can temporarily cause the sword blade to wedge into the shield for just an instant and thereby be delayed in recovering or renewing an attack (and exposing the attacker's arms to a counter-cut). Shields without metal rims were even favored for this very reason."
I think a zweihander (sp?) is what Robtard is looking for. A claymore is a large heavy sword, sure. But the sword you're describing seems like a large zweihander.
Registered: Jul 2005
Location: Captain's Chair, CA
Just remembered, in the Deadliest Warrior episode: Spartan Vs Ninja. The fat caucasian "ninja" tried to cut through Spartan bronze armor with his ninjato (similar in make to a katana); it glanced off, barely scratching it. Was funny, as he was so sure it would "go right through", since he had superior tech and materials.
Not sure about "good", maybe good for that time period. Not sure how evolved jiujitsu was in that time period in Japan, same with pankration in Greece. What holds were understood, and how would they apply it with the armor on. Leaning towards the Spartan, even though I think this thread is stupid.
/close thread
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Nov 19th, 2009 04:59 AM
