I've handled a katana before: very blade heavy, and the small guard seems a little inadequate to me.
I find that European long swords are much more user-friendly, with the pommel balancing out the blade, and the much larger cross-guard has me resting a little easier.
When Hank Reinhardt attempted to track down the story of katana cutting through machine gun barrels, it seemed to have happened in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Iwo Jima, Tarawa, and several other islands - this led him to conclude Japanese soldiers had a pathological hatred of machine-gun barrels, and he wondered why they never tried to cut down the gunner.
@lindybeige not entirely, if it were a suppression weapon, he could have a long chain of bullets being fed into the gun, then yes you could fire it long enough to get it soft enough. of course... the only reason you'd do that is if you wanted to ruin your gun. and even then if a machine gunner sees a dude running up with a katana, he's going to fill him full of holes before he could even run long enough to realize what a dumb idea that was.
Well if it is a so bad sword why do some American armys NOW use them? It is a great sword, and you do not need to go tru a armor to kill the one inside. If you make a big dent in it, it will be hard to move. You can just go aroud him and cut him there, the samurais were good at accuracy and did not need a so thin sword. The katana could last for more than 200 years because thay did not break.
@12aikido No modern armies use Katanas or even any sort of true sword. You're obviously really gullible if someone had you believe that. And yes, with a sword you need to go through the armor to kill someone. Even if a big dent made it harder to move in armor, it wouldn't kill. And it wouldn't make it any harder to move, because that makes no sense. There's pretty much no armor that leaves your back unprotected and samurais weren't any more "good at accuracy" than anyone else.
ill bring this out here. Yes Katana are "inferior" in terms of killing power and effectiveness compared to most weapons. But I definitely prefer katana over other blades for the amount of value and pride poured into it. What does these... daggers and shields and guns have? Better ability to harm and kill. Technical, effective, but not one bit appealing, to me.
Then again, comparing katana to most blades is like comparing cookie with a loaf of bread. One taste sweet, latter fills you up better.
"Katanas" are excellent swords in thier respectiv way. There is no such thing as a bad or good weapon. it is like comparing forks with spoons. And to me and many people the katana is -whilst not the most effective - a beautiful sword indeed. your point is oversimplified and therefore invalid. Nontheless your videos are entertaing - thank you for sharing.
Not true, is spent $20,000 on a real Katana from a Japanese sword smith, and after practicing for years I can cut a solid slap of steel in two with ease. During WW2, the Japanese let the Americans win because they didn't want to do any more killing, they could have defeated the Americans easily seeing as they could cut the bullets in half if they were shot at, and slice through enemy tanks.
the problem that the advancement of swordsmithing faced had a lot to do with the whole shinto thing you mentioned. Once the katana was an icon of the primary belief system of the country, sword smiths couldn't exactly go around changing the shape. Imagine if someone tried to redesign a crucifix around a more ergonomic shape? Crude comparison I know, but the point is there wasn't really any motivation to improve the swords anyway because, like you said, they weren't the primary combat weapon
I made earlier a comment about the katana being able to cut steel, made a mistake... that´s the samurai sword... katana swords are rubbish, not high.carbon steel, straight-edged, stupid piece of metal... to make a good sword, you would need Hatori Hanzo Steel.
Secret of the katana was a) ammount of layers made the surface of the katana VERY hard, while the core was soft and resilient, that´s why a katana CAN cut through metal (won´t slice a gun barrel, but WILL DEFINITELY dent it, might even leave it useless in one hit. Its metal engineering...). Once the metal is tempered with that many folds, it can´t be bent, the curve the katana has is given by the cooling effect of having one side cooled first (enters the water first).
@xxrgxxcasco you can dent any piece of metal with another piece of metal with enough force, thats not that special. as to the cut, unless its a very light metal such as aluminum or copper or even tin(but why?) it wouldn't get very far maybe 3 to 1 inches depending on how much force is given and the length of the handle and if the sword is slicing rather than cutting. most people died by the sword from gaps in armor not going right through it.
Im not a douche. if i was i could point out many flaws in your video even though it was a great video, but i would like to point out thatvto remove the katana from the saya put your hand at the end next to the tsuba and push it an inch with your thumb then draw, this reduces the loosing of the saya over time and remember to keep your blade oiled :)
@wolfyk95 Thanks. Actually, I need to tighten it up a bit. I was thinking of adding a few layers of varnish to the inside, just inside the opening. It is very oily.
@lindybeige If the Katana tends to slide ou of the Saya by itself, just place a small drop of white glue (for wood e.g.) on the inside of the scabbard. It will stay a little elastic and fit the Habaki quite well. If you've put too much glue just remove a little with fine sandpaper :-)
@darrthvader123 There were some very early curved blades from Europe, including the Iberian falcata, the Greek kopis, some Saxon langseax. The European falchion was as early as the 11th century, before the First Crusade, while the eastern scimitar-like designs had not really moved to the Seljuk & Fatamid Caliphates by this point (the eastern land Europeans were visiting).
I have actually used a real katana varying styles made for various reasons. and cut tatami mat, bamboo and cut a pigs rib cage. Impressive.however, Europe made some impressive blades. Last month my buddies and I got together for some sword cutting. I tested my $50 kukri knife and it did about the almost as much of damage
as the katana and its only 22 inches long..Two of the three Katanas I have used were fairly light. and very well balance. The third designed for use against horses was hefty
This is exagerated. I personnaly favor european swords, mainly cause WE cared about balance. A katana is all blade heavy without any kind of pommel to balance it. A japanese sized katana is too long to be good 1 handed sword for an european, and too short to be worth having 2 hands on the handle. But they did develop some pretty impressive metalurgical skills. Some blade structures have 3 different carbon contents. And the simple fact of mastering the quenching induced curvature is impressive.
@lindybeige They did. Sometimes. Not always on purpose (same goes with katana, and any large blade forged from raw steel). Point is katanas are not intrinsically pieces of junk. Some, in fact, were extremely elaborted. Only the merovingian/viking pattern welded blades beat these in craftmanship. But being beaten by the best blades ever forged is somewhat natural. A sword is not only a weapon, it's also a sign of social status. The richer you are, the better the blade you can afford.
Well a katana was made for 2 hands. It was shorter so that was quicker to strike as their fighting technique was to step around your opponent and cut him. If it were longer, it'd be heavier and slower to swing. European knights bashed swords. Making it heavier with more momentum and longer would've been a great idea which they did.
@eatmeaters European knights did not encourage sword bashing, voiding (dodging) so your blade was free to counterattack with was encouraged by medieval fightmasters. Early on, shields would reduce the sword bashing.
Medieval swords were actually quite light and fast, often more so than katana. Even 2-handed longswords were only slightly heavier, and those things are quick.
Heavy momentum based weapons were normally axes instead of swords.
This has been said so many times but those who take the time to study. Seeing it said on video by some one else just made my day. I thank you good sir!
I don't really think that you know enough about Katanas and how they were used to talk about them with this much certainty. If you are going to criticize a tool at least learn how to use it.
@jocularsplash02 This guy has been reading and learning about history for approximately 20years or more by now, do you really think he doesn't know about katana's if he's written and filmed numerous 'fact' documentary's about them. if so you are a anime-watching weaboo who cried. :P
@jocularsplash02 In fact most people don't know the first thing about EUROPEAN swords and fighting techniques while it's rather easy to find informations about the japanese sword. I understand that Lindy's sarcastic way of explaining might hurt the Katanalovers, but if you do know about BOTH japanese and european swords you'd to agree to most of his points...
I've spent a long time in kenjutsu/kendo, I also enjoy the western free-fighting scene. Nice to see someone so knowledgeable.
The only inconsistency or rather omission, while tertiary on the battlefield, the katana "family" (tanto/wakazashi/so forth). Samurai "honor" and the need to obtain or defend such is hardly budo-fiction. Indeed,
The katana's purpose laid in flesh, not steel. The massive eruption of sword schools till the edo period only furthered this.
BUT MY JAPANESE ANIMES SAID THAT A KATANA WAS FOLDED OVER 10,000 TIMES AND COULD CUT THROUGH A BROADSWORD BECAUSE BAKA GAJIN WESTERN EUROPEANS USED STUPID FLAT WEAPONS.
JAPANESE KATANS ARE THE EPITOME OF SWORD CRAFTING DESIGN AND ARE THE BEST SWORDS EVER CREATED, AND IF AMERICA WASN'T SUCH A BARBARIC COUNTRY AND ATTACKED JAPAN, JAPAN WOULD STILL HAVE THE GLORIOUS SAMURAIS TO FIGHT FOR HONOR.
HOW DARE YOU INSULT THE KATANA, I SHOULD CUT OFF YOUR HEAD IN A SECOND YOU BAKA GAJIN.
Not much after Japan encountered western culture, modern martial arts born. They have roots in the ancient japanese fighting techniques; those are often not of practical use (i'm talking about martial arts involving weapons: Aikido, Iaido, Kendo) because make reference to a condition that no longer exists. The review that made them MODERN martial arts, and non "keep teaching how to kill another samurai" martial arts is the spiritual, ethical side extrapolated and set in first place in teaching.
Katana did not change is because of the isolation of Japan, at least until XIX century: no confrontation with other cultures, no need to develop proper technologies. The opposite of Europe, where a lot of cultures shared interest for a small continent (and even if it wasn't enough, interest also for middle-east, north Africa and later all the colonies we had), and always at war with each others, with strong external cultural influences. This brought to an evolutive pressure Japan did not have.
Of course Katana was not designed to be used on battlefields. Naginata, bows and other weapons were better for a large proportion fight. Also, other weapons were easier to use and cheaper to craft. Katana was maybe better in duels, when two trained warriors confronted each other. It was also a status simbol i think.
There is one advantage in keeping the design of a sword. you are able to constantly improve your technique instead of having to lear how to handle the newest generation of swords ;)
To be fair, the changes in European swords were gradual; not overnight. There wouldn't ever be a point where someone spontaneously had to learn an entirely new generation of swords. Instead, the swords evolved /according to every generation's needs/. This included small changes over hundreds of years which resulted in the diversity of European swords. As a result, with this model you are /also/ able to constantly improve your technique.
You do realize 20th century katanas were made with modern day steel and not period metal, right? Thus, it is entirely possible to cut through a hot machine gun barrel with one because they were made out of the same stuff.
ehm, maybe because the katana was designed to be resistant and cut things, and a gun is designed... well to shot, i dont think that comparison is the most adequate, also, if a katana cuts into a gun, wouldnt loss its sharpness? i think that katanas are not very reliable in that way
@lindybeige Just wanted to say tank you for finaly downplaying the katanas. Im having a feud with a frend who keeps praising those stupid swords, and telling me that i am an idiot for saying I consider european swords and sworsmanship far better, even though when he saw the video all he said was "Well, he is English they spit on everything, it doesent count".
@lindybeige Knives are shorter, therefore have a stronger center mass in the middle of the blade. This imbecile failed to point out it was not by choice that the english or Japanese made weapons the way they did, it was evolution. Japan suffered cultural stagnation for the longest period with little access to outside societies, while the english were raping, pillaging, and fighting nation, forcing them to adapt
@sTeF8eO perhaps to modern standards it is... but to past lifestyle killing ones enemies was not necessarily seen wrong... many samurai engaged in duels simply to make a reputation out of themselves
@shoopoop21 Mainly iron, some bronze. There were no factories. Early guns often made by welding a lot of strips and bands together - not the most reliable.
Dear Lindybeige, I love your videos and have seen all of them, but Isao Machii can cut through metal, and few samurai wore full metal armour until the peak of Sengoku Jidai. And the sword itself (referring to the Katana) was specifically designed to fit samurai combat styles; no other sword would have worked as well and when used properly is probably the finest blade out there. But only in proper hands, as a sword alone what you said is correct.
@Nickkraw On the Isao Machii cutting through metal, look at ThegnThrand's video "Viking Challenge! Long Sword cutting Steel Plate Thrand , Reply to Samurai Challenge" his viking sword cuts similar metal, but in his other videos, the same sword is unable to cut through armour.
Isao Machii cut through a thin sheet of metal by cutting at where it is weakest; the nearly paper thin edge of the sheet. This has been replicated with straight edged swords.
watch?v=reec-2QBGw4
All weapons are designed to fit into their appropriate context.
There is literally no evidence that the katana "when used properly" is the finest blade out there; that's merely orientalist hype.
Is this because you have information that directly contradicts the things that were said in this video, or is it because you just don't like what he says?
@Zyamaman He's quite obviously European, so he favors the European swords over the japanese ones which are much more superior in my opinion, they're so much faster and lighter, and much more effective.
@darrthvader123 not true really....because a katana wasn't to great in war with people wearing armor just like most sword that were that light. It was really good for fighting people without armor, but really thinking about how lethal swords are in general I would only go as far as saying it was one of the best 2 handed swords used without a shield because it faster and safer with a single edge. It is kinda like the grosse messer
What? European weapons (at the right point in time) were almost entirely designed around penetrating metal plating and joints. Hence why western swords have nice slim pointy tips and the Katana lacks one completely.
This is true, but European swords were longer and much lighter. The european longsword could be wielded with one hand or two easily. If I had to choose I'd want the long sword.
Stop watching TV infotainment shows which don't use experts, don't tell us anything about the materials being tested, use inconsistent testing conditions, and skew the results with inept handling.
Lighter? Faster? Are you dense? It's a clumsy hunk of steel that restricts itself to a limited fighting style of great big swipes. Nearly every other contemporary blade is superior in nearly all aspects.
@darrthvader123 It is a pretty poor case for bias to say that his race must make him biased. An alternative explanation is that he is educated in European swords as well as Japanese swords. Often people just learn about Asian swords and assume that the traits that make them good are unique.
In your opinion, do you think a samurai armed with a naginata or yari would be more potent on the battlefield than a samurai with only a katana? Naginata vs Katana do you think the katana would lose?
On April 6th 2008 a law came into effect banning samurai and other curved swords with a blade length of 50cm or more, there are some exceptions for registered martial artists, re-enactors and certain genuine Japanese swords.
@DetailedSubset It didn't ban the swords, it just banned the importing and selling of them - and even then it got amended in 2008. Stupid law passed in a hurry as a knee-jerk reaction to one attack.
Are you trying to imply that because lindybeige owns a katana he's going to run naked into a church and start slashing parishioners? You may be reading the daily mail a bit too much.
@BigHossHackworth As far as I know, not really. Sometimes a hand was used on the back of the blade to steady it (check Lindybeiges other video "A point about scimitars" for a rough idea), but they seemed not to grab the blade as you would with half-swording.
@BigHossHackworth Sort of. The way to brace a katana to pierce a particularly troublesome armor was to place your other hand on the back of the blade pushing away from your body while having the handle pulling towards your body. Or at least that is what I was taught in my kenjitsu class.
Probably worth mentioning that Miyamoto Musashi (epic samurai fella, still a legend in Japan) fought most of his 60+ duels with a big stick. Yeah, he wrote books on strategy and developed a totally kick-ass two katana style. But whenever he actually had to fight anyone to the death, he seems to have preferred getting them angry by arriving late before throwing a knife at the bugger and bludgeoning them to death with a bokken/bokuto.
I can already tell the Katana you hold isn't that of old Koto origin. The ancient blades that were hammer folded over 500 times were almost paper thin, and sharp as hell. I'm not going to go into a whole defensive state as you have a right to your own opinion, but please do make the effort to do ample research. From the looks of your katana, it looks machined, mass produced and not crafted by a swordsmith. I've seen modern day practicioners of bushido use Koto blades to cut metal and more.
@TheElem3nts I plan to make a second katana video, which will make the point that some medieval katanas were much whippier than others, which were dirty great cleavers (though none was paper thin). Yes, my katana is modern and is so-so.
@lindybeige This is a well made video on the art of the Katana trying to be achieved in this day and age. Search for a video called Handmade Portraits: The Sword Maker
@TheElem3nts What does the design of Lloyd's katana have to do with his points about their use? It may very well be mass-produced, but pointing that out doesn't refute what he says. Anyone can Google antique katanas, or even go a museum, and see that almost every one is almost exactly this design (and your wakizashis and 'na-gee-nar-ters' ;p e.t.c. are just cut down versions of normal katana blades). Also, paper thin blades? Please. Even modern scalpels aren't paper thin.
@TheElem3nts Folded 500 times?!? Science says no. The master bladesmiths of japan says no. A steel folded 16 times is 65+ THOUSAND layers. No katana EVER had that many layers. And paper thin?!? Because you want your sword to break? And sharp as hell because you never plan on facing armor? I have held nihontos (both new and antiques) in my hand. They are NOTHING like what you describe. In fact they vary a LOT of variances...some antique katanas were pretty horrid in fact.
For someone urging other people to do research before they speak, you sure could follow your own advice...
500 folds? Do you have any idea how many layers that would produce? Go ahead and make the calculation - see if there's even a point in writing down a number this large...
Just so you know - no blade, EVER, was folded more than 12 times.
After 20 folds, you just decarbonize your metal.
The remaining 480 is pure masturbation - fun, but ultimately fruitless...
@TheElem3nts a katana was foldet max. 20 times.. more would be bad for the steel, also, a katana ist tewice as thick as an european longsword ;) but yes, a katana k´can be sharp as hell.. but more sharp= more brittel ;)
@TheElem3nts On koto blades cutting metal, sheet metal can be cut fairly easily - /watch?v=reec-2QBGw4
Compare the same sword that cut the sheet metal against thin wrought iron munitions armour - /watch?v=avnjDouvuRc
Not that other swords are necessarily better (there is not really a best sword) but many of the feats done to show off katana are not as impressive as they look, many other swords can do the same thing.
there is a certain part of the mysticism that should be dismissed. Katanas are excellent duel weapons and are stupidly good for slashing, but it is not an ultimate weapon. sure it is a very beautiful weapon crafted for nobility made bu extremely good swordsmiths that compensated the lack of good Iron ore with sheer talent, but the katana is not a smashing weapon designed to go through objects, it is designed to slash at opponents.
On some Japanese blades there was a very little spade-like piece extrusion used for cleaning the ears, was that used to clean out dirt/blood on the battle field?
saying the katana is just a bit of sharp steel is like saying the christian crucifix is just a couple of bits of wood nailed together..... its true.. but if you say it in the wrong crowd you might end up missing a few pieces of yourself
I studied Iaito and kendo.....the katana is a yard of sharp steel...it does what any other yard of sharp steel does...no more no less. The mystique surrounding it is nonsense.
I realy enjoyed this video, and correct, mostly. the only thing is that the Katana should have been static in design, it has not, but the exprementing is mostly in length.
I agree that a katana is no more effective than a longsword-a good slice and the guy's pretty much dead, I have looked at both the celtic swords and the katanas, and both have their own beauty. personally I prefer a greatsword (just my style). I have seen both swords made, and the methods by which they are made are also very similar, in all I think the katana is waaaaay too...glorified, it is basically just another sword with one edge and a bad stabbing point.
This is an excellent video that does a bit to de-hype the overtly mythical nature of Japanese swords. Do not get me wrong, I like Japanese swords, I just don't live in anime world, and love it when people talk practically about these things. No myths, no illusions.
I have always regarded the katana as far closer to a rapier in terms of practicality. Both were essentially "dress swords", for use in a civilian context, and symbol of status. The katana is seen as the family heirloom, and badge of the family, but in practical terms, they were probably too expensive to replace, so damaging one in battle would have brought great dishonour... by which I mean financial woes. Great video, though i'm sure it will piss off a few people who live in fantasy world.
you ppl need to look at this if you think its *so* inferior "Japanese Katana VS European Longsword - Samurai sword VS Knight Broadsword" they right here say its a better weapon. if you do note, the katana slices through the cabbage cleaner then the broadsword btw. oh yes...on a final note? the samurai did not use shields. hell, most of their armour was open in the back unless they used a se-ita or "cowards plate" to close it.
Yes, we all saw that video - it was very poorly made, and cannot be used as a proof of anything at all.
Read in the comments section in that video - there's a couple fairly knowledgeable blokes over there' who will explain to you exactly what's wrong with it.
Knights in plate armor didn't use shields either, BTW...
@apachedrifter That video you speak of is someone with no historical background using cheap swords to swing at targets with little in common with historical armour. The issue with the longsword in that video is it literally is not sharpened, which is nothing to do with being a longsword or katana and everything to do with nobody bothering to sharpen it. Either sword can be razor sharp, either sword can be dulled into uselessness.
@apachedrifter that video is FIXED!!! they are testing the emperors katana sharpened to a razor point in the way it is supposed to be used against a useless peasent-knight's fathers sword that is sharpened to cabbage cutting ( is that even a state of sharpness?) and they are only using the first oh, 2-3 feet of it. Also a longsword allows a shield ( and knights in plate armor could use a shield, for the record). A man with a longsword and shield vs a man with a katana, sword and shield win man.
@MrPdante By the way, cabbage cutting is not a state of sharpness - I own a fully blunted practise sword designed for safety and it can still cut through cabbages.
Theres never really any evidence that the Samurai used the Katana at all; it was rather the weapon of the Ronin in the 17th century during peace times. The Samurai's main weapon would either be a Yari, Yumi, or Tachi. Then again the Katana was basically a craptastically watered down version Tachi. Ronins were mostly thugs, the Samurai was basically a officer who lead Bushi into battle rather than a front line soldier.
I think it is obvious that the katana was not designed as a battle weapon. Poor for armor piercing, poor reach, too short for horseback effectiveness (Samurai mainly fought on horseback if I recall).
However, what of the katana as a duel weapon? Do you get the sense that it would be a superior weapon in a one-on-one fight because of the innate maneuverability of having a relatively small, light two-handed weapon? And also that duels often weren't conducted with heavy armor on?
@tenthousandsuns Katana were actually fairly late swords, by the time katana were made samurai had started fighting in long spear & bow formations with ashigaru, and I think (pure speculation on my part) that the katana being so short would make it more practical in such a scrum of spearmen.
@tenthousandsuns I'd think it would be a pretty good weapon overall. Just not a great battlefield weapon. To expound on this a little, we often hear that katana (and other swords) were not "battlefield" weapons. Yet swords of any kind are comparatively expensive weapons and remained popular. We should keep in mind that most violence - even militarily important violence - did not take place in big pitched battles with blocks of soldiers in formation (where swords were truly secondary at best).
@tenthousandsuns study your history more mate. 1 samurai stopped fighting from horseback since the tachi fell into disfavor. tachi=edge down for mounted combat, katana=edge up for on foot. 2 it can pierce better then the english broadsword. 3 it was short to facilitate nuketsuke since drawing and cutting was one action. samurai actually fought up close and personal on the field. 4 armour was not heavy. it actually afforded little
1. Samurai are mounted archers - swords are were a backup weapon.
2. No, it cannot - it's wider at the cross-section than the longsword (not broadsword), and it's edge-oriented balance does not facilitate for good stabbing hits.
@tenthousandsuns protection except for the vital arias and samurai were trained to exploit and attack places not covered by the armour. look up yoroi and you'll see how "heavy" their armour was *not*. yes....duels were conducted w/o armour.
@apachedrifter On samurai armour, O-yoroi averaged 65 lbs and Yukinoshita-Do samples I have seen weighed 50-55 lbs. That is similar weight to many armours in Europe and elsewhere. Not too heavy but not lighter than what other people wore either. Samurai had full armours and partial armours, like most kingdoms, all warriors were trained to exploit/attack places not covered by armour. In many ways you are right, but it is not more true of samurai than warriors elsewhere.
Tidbit on Katana background, just saying it so it's out there. Katanas (the prime ones) were made from a rare metal they heated up, beat a lot and got two different metals out of. Softer stuff went on outside and the hard stuff on the inside. This gave them a core with a sort of aluminium exterior that made them a bit lighter than what people originally thought. They also practice slashes where they stiffen up their body and throw their body into their swing at the point of impact.
@Vydonis The rare metal is called Tamahagane, which is actually just iron from a particular source (black sand). They made steel from that, and the two different metals were just different hardnesses of steel, which doesn't affect the weight. The idea is the harder edge will be sharp while the softer body would be less likely to chip or crack, it is nothing to do with aluminium at all.
The Longsword is much more versatile then the Katana, it had to be. A soldier would carry perhaps a longsword and dagger, maybe a shield.
The Samurai however would have either a bow or spear as a primary weapon but he carried swords of multiple lengths and style for situations where his bow or spear were of no use. The fact that a Samurai was raised from birth to be a warrior meant he would be adept at using multiple weapons. This allowed weapons designed for a specific task, such as the Katana
@franstar27 : Though you're forgetting that Knights were also raised from birth to do war, and in fact were trained to use many different types of weapons as well.
@Halofreakanoid Yeah, a lot of warriors were historically "raised from birth to fight"; there was nothing particularly special about samurai, or knights, or Spartans, or (elite) vikings, or whatever. Until fairly recently, apprenticeship from youth was how anyone became any kind of professional, whether it be as fighters or carpenters or blacksmiths or whatever. Even peasants would have been working on the farm with their families from youth.
I've handled a katana before: very blade heavy, and the small guard seems a little inadequate to me.
I find that European long swords are much more user-friendly, with the pommel balancing out the blade, and the much larger cross-guard has me resting a little easier.
Jensaarai1 2 days ago
When Hank Reinhardt attempted to track down the story of katana cutting through machine gun barrels, it seemed to have happened in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Iwo Jima, Tarawa, and several other islands - this led him to conclude Japanese soldiers had a pathological hatred of machine-gun barrels, and he wondered why they never tried to cut down the gunner.
Railstarfish 5 days ago 2
You can slice through a machine gun if it's overheated, you dunce. Machine guns tend to get very hot, and hot metal is soft.
Idiot.
RiflemanJohnson 6 days ago
@RiflemanJohnson This has been tried, and no one has yet replicated it.
lindybeige 6 days ago
@RiflemanJohnson good to know, now get close to a dude firing a machine gun long enough to get it hot enough to cut.
cuboos 6 days ago
@cuboos He'd run out of ammo long before it got that hot.
lindybeige 6 days ago
@lindybeige not entirely, if it were a suppression weapon, he could have a long chain of bullets being fed into the gun, then yes you could fire it long enough to get it soft enough. of course... the only reason you'd do that is if you wanted to ruin your gun. and even then if a machine gunner sees a dude running up with a katana, he's going to fill him full of holes before he could even run long enough to realize what a dumb idea that was.
cuboos 6 days ago
@RiflemanJohnson Mythbusters tried it and failed.
MrDaratum 1 day ago
Well if it is a so bad sword why do some American armys NOW use them? It is a great sword, and you do not need to go tru a armor to kill the one inside. If you make a big dent in it, it will be hard to move. You can just go aroud him and cut him there, the samurais were good at accuracy and did not need a so thin sword. The katana could last for more than 200 years because thay did not break.
12aikido 1 week ago
@12aikido No modern armies use Katanas or even any sort of true sword. You're obviously really gullible if someone had you believe that. And yes, with a sword you need to go through the armor to kill someone. Even if a big dent made it harder to move in armor, it wouldn't kill. And it wouldn't make it any harder to move, because that makes no sense. There's pretty much no armor that leaves your back unprotected and samurais weren't any more "good at accuracy" than anyone else.
Masterfrogg 6 days ago
ill bring this out here. Yes Katana are "inferior" in terms of killing power and effectiveness compared to most weapons. But I definitely prefer katana over other blades for the amount of value and pride poured into it. What does these... daggers and shields and guns have? Better ability to harm and kill. Technical, effective, but not one bit appealing, to me.
Then again, comparing katana to most blades is like comparing cookie with a loaf of bread. One taste sweet, latter fills you up better.
BlueDrag0n 1 week ago
Really, the Katana was suited for it's enemy, who was normally rarely, if ever, clad in anything more then riveted leather, wood, or cloth.
WhiteTiger225 1 week ago
"Katanas" are excellent swords in thier respectiv way. There is no such thing as a bad or good weapon. it is like comparing forks with spoons. And to me and many people the katana is -whilst not the most effective - a beautiful sword indeed. your point is oversimplified and therefore invalid. Nontheless your videos are entertaing - thank you for sharing.
dipidulor 1 week ago
that's not true my dad was a katana and he cut through hitler's tank in the spanish american war
SuperSaiyanMax 1 week ago
@SuperSaiyanMax lol
wookiedestroyer101 1 week ago
Not true, is spent $20,000 on a real Katana from a Japanese sword smith, and after practicing for years I can cut a solid slap of steel in two with ease. During WW2, the Japanese let the Americans win because they didn't want to do any more killing, they could have defeated the Americans easily seeing as they could cut the bullets in half if they were shot at, and slice through enemy tanks.
Coltaculuss 1 week ago 2
@Coltaculuss I'm not sure if you're serious or joking...
TheLoki7281 1 week ago
@TheLoki7281 Its old copypasta. So yeah hes joking.
DeMause 1 week ago
@Coltaculuss
The amount of bullshit in your comment almost killed me good sir.
ZerinMaelstrom 1 week ago
the problem that the advancement of swordsmithing faced had a lot to do with the whole shinto thing you mentioned. Once the katana was an icon of the primary belief system of the country, sword smiths couldn't exactly go around changing the shape. Imagine if someone tried to redesign a crucifix around a more ergonomic shape? Crude comparison I know, but the point is there wasn't really any motivation to improve the swords anyway because, like you said, they weren't the primary combat weapon
NewRoki 1 week ago
I made earlier a comment about the katana being able to cut steel, made a mistake... that´s the samurai sword... katana swords are rubbish, not high.carbon steel, straight-edged, stupid piece of metal... to make a good sword, you would need Hatori Hanzo Steel.
xxrgxxcasco 2 weeks ago
I have to ask if you'd ever do one about what I always felt were far more impressive in the Japanese armoury- being Japanese spears.
Also Chinese swords, who's metalworking industry was far far more developed than Japan's- although no one seems to talk about them :S.
Although lovely videos, it's nice to find someone who knows his stuff :).
caocaothedeciever 2 weeks ago
Secret of the katana was a) ammount of layers made the surface of the katana VERY hard, while the core was soft and resilient, that´s why a katana CAN cut through metal (won´t slice a gun barrel, but WILL DEFINITELY dent it, might even leave it useless in one hit. Its metal engineering...). Once the metal is tempered with that many folds, it can´t be bent, the curve the katana has is given by the cooling effect of having one side cooled first (enters the water first).
xxrgxxcasco 2 weeks ago
@xxrgxxcasco watch?v=5Hy_A9vjp_s
(yes.. this katana is crafted historically accurate and it bends)
katanas are not better than European swords
they are cutting weapons such as european sabers, good for killing unarmed peasants
but against armor, they are pretty useless
as lindybeige points out, in europe "we" made swords with the same qualety about 1000 years bevore japan even startet it
TheLoki7281 1 week ago
@xxrgxxcasco you can dent any piece of metal with another piece of metal with enough force, thats not that special. as to the cut, unless its a very light metal such as aluminum or copper or even tin(but why?) it wouldn't get very far maybe 3 to 1 inches depending on how much force is given and the length of the handle and if the sword is slicing rather than cutting. most people died by the sword from gaps in armor not going right through it.
minigun20 1 week ago
we are lead to believe that the katana is second only to the lightsabre...
davycrocketful 3 weeks ago
Im not a douche. if i was i could point out many flaws in your video even though it was a great video, but i would like to point out thatvto remove the katana from the saya put your hand at the end next to the tsuba and push it an inch with your thumb then draw, this reduces the loosing of the saya over time and remember to keep your blade oiled :)
wolfyk95 3 weeks ago
@wolfyk95 Thanks. Actually, I need to tighten it up a bit. I was thinking of adding a few layers of varnish to the inside, just inside the opening. It is very oily.
lindybeige 3 weeks ago
@lindybeige If the Katana tends to slide ou of the Saya by itself, just place a small drop of white glue (for wood e.g.) on the inside of the scabbard. It will stay a little elastic and fit the Habaki quite well. If you've put too much glue just remove a little with fine sandpaper :-)
Railriderchris 3 weeks ago
@wolfyk95
Pointing out flaws is not being a douche. How is anyone to learn if you withhold information to save face?
SuperSaiyanMax 1 week ago
Ahh, but the Europeans didn't come up with the curved slashing blades until they visited eastern lands.
darrthvader123 3 weeks ago
@darrthvader123 There were some very early curved blades from Europe, including the Iberian falcata, the Greek kopis, some Saxon langseax. The European falchion was as early as the 11th century, before the First Crusade, while the eastern scimitar-like designs had not really moved to the Seljuk & Fatamid Caliphates by this point (the eastern land Europeans were visiting).
Railstarfish 3 weeks ago
@Railstarfish Also, leaf-bladed weapons have curved cutting edges, even if their central spines are straight.
lindybeige 3 weeks ago
@lindybeige Ooo! Thank you! I had never thought of that before.
Railstarfish 3 weeks ago
I have actually used a real katana varying styles made for various reasons. and cut tatami mat, bamboo and cut a pigs rib cage. Impressive.however, Europe made some impressive blades. Last month my buddies and I got together for some sword cutting. I tested my $50 kukri knife and it did about the almost as much of damage
as the katana and its only 22 inches long..Two of the three Katanas I have used were fairly light. and very well balance. The third designed for use against horses was hefty
nightstalkersasslt 1 month ago
This is a stupid video, when I was in 'Nam I saw a japanese officer cut through a tank barrel.
poplug 1 month ago
@poplug The big question is what was a Japanese officer doing in 'Nam? ;)
Railstarfish 1 month ago 5
@Railstarfish
Well, he was cutting through a tank barrel there, can't you read ;D
mawa89g 1 month ago
@mawa89g Good answer.
Railstarfish 3 weeks ago
Finally, someone said it! :D
KnightofAshes 1 month ago
This is exagerated. I personnaly favor european swords, mainly cause WE cared about balance. A katana is all blade heavy without any kind of pommel to balance it. A japanese sized katana is too long to be good 1 handed sword for an european, and too short to be worth having 2 hands on the handle. But they did develop some pretty impressive metalurgical skills. Some blade structures have 3 different carbon contents. And the simple fact of mastering the quenching induced curvature is impressive.
MadNumForce 1 month ago
@MadNumForce European swords also used differing carbon contents/hardnesses.
lindybeige 1 month ago 5
@lindybeige They did. Sometimes. Not always on purpose (same goes with katana, and any large blade forged from raw steel). Point is katanas are not intrinsically pieces of junk. Some, in fact, were extremely elaborted. Only the merovingian/viking pattern welded blades beat these in craftmanship. But being beaten by the best blades ever forged is somewhat natural. A sword is not only a weapon, it's also a sign of social status. The richer you are, the better the blade you can afford.
MadNumForce 1 month ago
@MadNumForce
Well a katana was made for 2 hands. It was shorter so that was quicker to strike as their fighting technique was to step around your opponent and cut him. If it were longer, it'd be heavier and slower to swing. European knights bashed swords. Making it heavier with more momentum and longer would've been a great idea which they did.
eatmeaters 1 month ago
@eatmeaters European knights did not encourage sword bashing, voiding (dodging) so your blade was free to counterattack with was encouraged by medieval fightmasters. Early on, shields would reduce the sword bashing.
Medieval swords were actually quite light and fast, often more so than katana. Even 2-handed longswords were only slightly heavier, and those things are quick.
Heavy momentum based weapons were normally axes instead of swords.
Railstarfish 3 weeks ago
@eatmeaters The big difference is that European swords used by knights were designed to pierce through armor.
The Katana was designed to slash, since a samurai's armor was not as covering as European platemail or use as much metal.
coalheartly 2 weeks ago
@coalheartly The warsword or longsword, was a wrestler's weapon - a hook and lever for unbalancing an opponent.
lindybeige 2 weeks ago
@MadNumForce a katana is a hand and a half. not one handed. just saying dont mean any harm by this
IamFlieger 1 month ago
@MadNumForce
The technique you're referring to is called "steel lamination", and it's neither unique to the Japanese in any manner, nor is it any way impressive.
It was one of the first methods of steel weapon production, and it arose from steep necessity, not choice.
Several "ancient" cultures developed far more advanced and efficient techniques, and it includes the Europeans, among others...
Zyamaman 2 weeks ago
This has been said so many times but those who take the time to study. Seeing it said on video by some one else just made my day. I thank you good sir!
PlacidDirge 1 month ago
I don't really think that you know enough about Katanas and how they were used to talk about them with this much certainty. If you are going to criticize a tool at least learn how to use it.
jocularsplash02 1 month ago
@jocularsplash02 This guy has been reading and learning about history for approximately 20years or more by now, do you really think he doesn't know about katana's if he's written and filmed numerous 'fact' documentary's about them. if so you are a anime-watching weaboo who cried. :P
x2Ice2x 1 month ago
@jocularsplash02 In fact most people don't know the first thing about EUROPEAN swords and fighting techniques while it's rather easy to find informations about the japanese sword. I understand that Lindy's sarcastic way of explaining might hurt the Katanalovers, but if you do know about BOTH japanese and european swords you'd to agree to most of his points...
Railriderchris 1 month ago
*applauds*
I've spent a long time in kenjutsu/kendo, I also enjoy the western free-fighting scene. Nice to see someone so knowledgeable.
The only inconsistency or rather omission, while tertiary on the battlefield, the katana "family" (tanto/wakazashi/so forth). Samurai "honor" and the need to obtain or defend such is hardly budo-fiction. Indeed,
The katana's purpose laid in flesh, not steel. The massive eruption of sword schools till the edo period only furthered this.
Great video!
ShoryukenThatHadoken 1 month ago
BUT MY JAPANESE ANIMES SAID THAT A KATANA WAS FOLDED OVER 10,000 TIMES AND COULD CUT THROUGH A BROADSWORD BECAUSE BAKA GAJIN WESTERN EUROPEANS USED STUPID FLAT WEAPONS.
JAPANESE KATANS ARE THE EPITOME OF SWORD CRAFTING DESIGN AND ARE THE BEST SWORDS EVER CREATED, AND IF AMERICA WASN'T SUCH A BARBARIC COUNTRY AND ATTACKED JAPAN, JAPAN WOULD STILL HAVE THE GLORIOUS SAMURAIS TO FIGHT FOR HONOR.
HOW DARE YOU INSULT THE KATANA, I SHOULD CUT OFF YOUR HEAD IN A SECOND YOU BAKA GAJIN.
mariomcp 1 month ago 14
Not much after Japan encountered western culture, modern martial arts born. They have roots in the ancient japanese fighting techniques; those are often not of practical use (i'm talking about martial arts involving weapons: Aikido, Iaido, Kendo) because make reference to a condition that no longer exists. The review that made them MODERN martial arts, and non "keep teaching how to kill another samurai" martial arts is the spiritual, ethical side extrapolated and set in first place in teaching.
xxxasmodeusxxx 1 month ago
Katana did not change is because of the isolation of Japan, at least until XIX century: no confrontation with other cultures, no need to develop proper technologies. The opposite of Europe, where a lot of cultures shared interest for a small continent (and even if it wasn't enough, interest also for middle-east, north Africa and later all the colonies we had), and always at war with each others, with strong external cultural influences. This brought to an evolutive pressure Japan did not have.
xxxasmodeusxxx 1 month ago
Of course Katana was not designed to be used on battlefields. Naginata, bows and other weapons were better for a large proportion fight. Also, other weapons were easier to use and cheaper to craft. Katana was maybe better in duels, when two trained warriors confronted each other. It was also a status simbol i think.
xxxasmodeusxxx 1 month ago
All these glorious weeaboo tears
kyzichanyo 1 month ago
There is one advantage in keeping the design of a sword. you are able to constantly improve your technique instead of having to lear how to handle the newest generation of swords ;)
breekatschu 1 month ago
@breekatschu
To be fair, the changes in European swords were gradual; not overnight. There wouldn't ever be a point where someone spontaneously had to learn an entirely new generation of swords. Instead, the swords evolved /according to every generation's needs/. This included small changes over hundreds of years which resulted in the diversity of European swords. As a result, with this model you are /also/ able to constantly improve your technique.
HereTheArtBegins 1 month ago
"Katana slicing through a machine gun"
You do realize 20th century katanas were made with modern day steel and not period metal, right? Thus, it is entirely possible to cut through a hot machine gun barrel with one because they were made out of the same stuff.
furikuri52 1 month ago
@furikuri52 Er, no. Get any two knives made of the same stuff from your cutlery drawer, and try to slice through one with the other.
lindybeige 1 month ago 30
@lindybeige
ehm, maybe because the katana was designed to be resistant and cut things, and a gun is designed... well to shot, i dont think that comparison is the most adequate, also, if a katana cuts into a gun, wouldnt loss its sharpness? i think that katanas are not very reliable in that way
Zekyb0y 1 month ago
@lindybeige Just wanted to say tank you for finaly downplaying the katanas. Im having a feud with a frend who keeps praising those stupid swords, and telling me that i am an idiot for saying I consider european swords and sworsmanship far better, even though when he saw the video all he said was "Well, he is English they spit on everything, it doesent count".
kojbo 3 weeks ago
@lindybeige Knives are shorter, therefore have a stronger center mass in the middle of the blade. This imbecile failed to point out it was not by choice that the english or Japanese made weapons the way they did, it was evolution. Japan suffered cultural stagnation for the longest period with little access to outside societies, while the english were raping, pillaging, and fighting nation, forcing them to adapt
WhiteTiger225 1 week ago
@furikuri52 The mass produced katanas of WWII were actually of inferior quality.
EdwinHofstra 1 month ago
a true sworsdman is a protector not a killer and of course a sword is his tool, otherwise its not a sword at all..
sTeF8eO 1 month ago
@sTeF8eO perhaps to modern standards it is... but to past lifestyle killing ones enemies was not necessarily seen wrong... many samurai engaged in duels simply to make a reputation out of themselves
CrimsonGetsu 1 month ago
I can almost hear all the anime-watching weaboos crying.
Great vid.
drunkoncustard 1 month ago 77
but machine guns get hot maybe its hot enough to go all melty i don't know though
n2488 1 month ago
@n2488 They do get hot, yes, but nowhere near that hot.
lindybeige 1 month ago 11
@lindybeige Yes they do. I've melted a barrel before on an F89 Minimi. Good vid btw
SuperiorBrick 1 month ago
@lindybeige tangentially related, what kind of metal were early firearms made from? Was it entirely factory work? I'm sort of curious.
shoopoop21 1 month ago
@shoopoop21 Mainly iron, some bronze. There were no factories. Early guns often made by welding a lot of strips and bands together - not the most reliable.
lindybeige 1 month ago
The Katana's purpose? Cutting down peasants. Cutting down unarmored nobles. That's it.
Saberlena 2 months ago
Dear Lindybeige, I love your videos and have seen all of them, but Isao Machii can cut through metal, and few samurai wore full metal armour until the peak of Sengoku Jidai. And the sword itself (referring to the Katana) was specifically designed to fit samurai combat styles; no other sword would have worked as well and when used properly is probably the finest blade out there. But only in proper hands, as a sword alone what you said is correct.
Nickkraw 2 months ago
@Nickkraw which comes to the point training makes everything. An untrained soldier with a weapon is just a peasant mob
130lukas 1 month ago
@Nickkraw On the Isao Machii cutting through metal, look at ThegnThrand's video "Viking Challenge! Long Sword cutting Steel Plate Thrand , Reply to Samurai Challenge" his viking sword cuts similar metal, but in his other videos, the same sword is unable to cut through armour.
Railstarfish 1 month ago
@Nickkraw
Isao Machii cut through a thin sheet of metal by cutting at where it is weakest; the nearly paper thin edge of the sheet. This has been replicated with straight edged swords.
watch?v=reec-2QBGw4
All weapons are designed to fit into their appropriate context.
There is literally no evidence that the katana "when used properly" is the finest blade out there; that's merely orientalist hype.
HereTheArtBegins 1 month ago
I think you may be a bit biased.
darrthvader123 2 months ago
@darrthvader123
Is this because you have information that directly contradicts the things that were said in this video, or is it because you just don't like what he says?
Zyamaman 2 months ago
@Zyamaman He's quite obviously European, so he favors the European swords over the japanese ones which are much more superior in my opinion, they're so much faster and lighter, and much more effective.
darrthvader123 2 months ago
@darrthvader123 not true really....because a katana wasn't to great in war with people wearing armor just like most sword that were that light. It was really good for fighting people without armor, but really thinking about how lethal swords are in general I would only go as far as saying it was one of the best 2 handed swords used without a shield because it faster and safer with a single edge. It is kinda like the grosse messer
Ryo19zintkd 2 months ago
@Ryo19zintkd Actually, a katana was a better 'can-opener' (armor piercer) than the european swords ever were.
darrthvader123 2 months ago
@darrthvader123
What? European weapons (at the right point in time) were almost entirely designed around penetrating metal plating and joints. Hence why western swords have nice slim pointy tips and the Katana lacks one completely.
adam3088 2 months ago
@darrthvader123
This is true, but European swords were longer and much lighter. The european longsword could be wielded with one hand or two easily. If I had to choose I'd want the long sword.
Lathox 2 months ago
@darrthvader123
Stop watching TV infotainment shows which don't use experts, don't tell us anything about the materials being tested, use inconsistent testing conditions, and skew the results with inept handling.
HereTheArtBegins 1 month ago
@darrthvader123 Hes's stating facts not his opinion.
rurgosh 2 months ago
@darrthvader123
Lighter? Faster? Are you dense? It's a clumsy hunk of steel that restricts itself to a limited fighting style of great big swipes. Nearly every other contemporary blade is superior in nearly all aspects.
Alex4757 2 months ago
@darrthvader123 It is a pretty poor case for bias to say that his race must make him biased. An alternative explanation is that he is educated in European swords as well as Japanese swords. Often people just learn about Asian swords and assume that the traits that make them good are unique.
Railstarfish 1 month ago
All swords are sharp iron bars*
fixed if or ya
MyBrosephstalin 2 months ago
Thank god, someone denouncing this weapon, I see katanas everywhere and I am sick of it.
analplay 2 months ago
In your opinion, do you think a samurai armed with a naginata or yari would be more potent on the battlefield than a samurai with only a katana? Naginata vs Katana do you think the katana would lose?
TWCGroup 2 months ago
@TWCGroup In a duel, debatable, on the battlefield with many many fighting together in groups naginata wins.
lindybeige 2 months ago
@lindybeige - In a duel, wouldn't it mostly depend on the skill of the participants more than on the swords they'd be using?
Fan666Maiden 1 month ago
@Fan666Maiden Yes, but it is reasonable to answer a question on the assumption that all other factors are equal.
lindybeige 1 month ago
@lindybeige - Of course - I stand corrected :)
And of course I meant to say 'weapon' instead of 'sword' in my previous comment, just thought I'd correct myself on that point as well.
Fan666Maiden 1 month ago
On April 6th 2008 a law came into effect banning samurai and other curved swords with a blade length of 50cm or more, there are some exceptions for registered martial artists, re-enactors and certain genuine Japanese swords.
DetailedSubset 2 months ago
@DetailedSubset It didn't ban the swords, it just banned the importing and selling of them - and even then it got amended in 2008. Stupid law passed in a hurry as a knee-jerk reaction to one attack.
lindybeige 2 months ago 3
@lindybeige
Bloody stupid lore as it also applied to completely unrelated blades such as falchions..
Good ol' government reaction to some inner city prats finding a new fad.
adam3088 2 months ago
@lindybeige news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/28/newsid_2527000/2527805 [space] .stm
Excuse the link, it's the news report of the attack in question
JossJossJoss1 1 month ago
@JossJossJoss1
Are you trying to imply that because lindybeige owns a katana he's going to run naked into a church and start slashing parishioners? You may be reading the daily mail a bit too much.
adam3088 1 month ago
@lindybeige Tell you what, I'll stop being lazy and copy-paste the article...
1999 - "Eleven people have been injured in a sword attack at a church in south London.
A naked man wielding a 3 ft Samurai sword burst into St Andrew's Roman Catholic church in Croydon during Sunday Mass.
The man attacked parishioners - injuring four of them critically - before he was overpowered by members of the congregation."
JossJossJoss1 1 month ago
@JossJossJoss1 And if the katana had been unobtainable, he would presumably have used a different weapon.
lindybeige 1 month ago
The katana, like any other physical object, can have either high or low quality. Using either the best or the worst to describe all is ludicrous.
soadfansoad 2 months ago
In the UK, do you have to have a license to own a katana?
godofimagination 2 months ago in playlist Lindybeige Rants on History
@godofimagination I hope not.
lindybeige 2 months ago 12
I'm going to find you for saying these thing about the katana. Then, I'm going to kiss you on the mouth.
TheTheValer 2 months ago
I can literally hear the fanboys of the world screaming in horror
TheWhoaDude 2 months ago 5
@TheWhoaDude 'I can literally hear the fanboys of the world screaming in horror'
As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in indignant terror and rage, and were suddenly silenced? :-P
Virgil0211 2 months ago
Were Katanas ever half sworded?
BigHossHackworth 2 months ago
@BigHossHackworth As far as I know, not really. Sometimes a hand was used on the back of the blade to steady it (check Lindybeiges other video "A point about scimitars" for a rough idea), but they seemed not to grab the blade as you would with half-swording.
Railstarfish 2 months ago
@BigHossHackworth Sort of. The way to brace a katana to pierce a particularly troublesome armor was to place your other hand on the back of the blade pushing away from your body while having the handle pulling towards your body. Or at least that is what I was taught in my kenjitsu class.
ColdNapalm42 2 months ago
Probably worth mentioning that Miyamoto Musashi (epic samurai fella, still a legend in Japan) fought most of his 60+ duels with a big stick. Yeah, he wrote books on strategy and developed a totally kick-ass two katana style. But whenever he actually had to fight anyone to the death, he seems to have preferred getting them angry by arriving late before throwing a knife at the bugger and bludgeoning them to death with a bokken/bokuto.
JossJossJoss1 2 months ago
What do you think about the nodachi?
ToothpickMcBrainy 2 months ago
hes just mad that japanese swords get more credit for being better lol
DjSkyfaze 2 months ago
100% agree. I like Katana for the fantasy of it all. Not the reality of it.
Katana vs the Mongols on foot?
Who wins
The Mongols
Reality wins
Jaiyeson 2 months ago 3
I can already tell the Katana you hold isn't that of old Koto origin. The ancient blades that were hammer folded over 500 times were almost paper thin, and sharp as hell. I'm not going to go into a whole defensive state as you have a right to your own opinion, but please do make the effort to do ample research. From the looks of your katana, it looks machined, mass produced and not crafted by a swordsmith. I've seen modern day practicioners of bushido use Koto blades to cut metal and more.
TheElem3nts 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts I plan to make a second katana video, which will make the point that some medieval katanas were much whippier than others, which were dirty great cleavers (though none was paper thin). Yes, my katana is modern and is so-so.
lindybeige 2 months ago
@lindybeige This is a well made video on the art of the Katana trying to be achieved in this day and age. Search for a video called Handmade Portraits: The Sword Maker
TheElem3nts 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts I doubt you know that much about metallurgy
Torome86 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts What does the design of Lloyd's katana have to do with his points about their use? It may very well be mass-produced, but pointing that out doesn't refute what he says. Anyone can Google antique katanas, or even go a museum, and see that almost every one is almost exactly this design (and your wakizashis and 'na-gee-nar-ters' ;p e.t.c. are just cut down versions of normal katana blades). Also, paper thin blades? Please. Even modern scalpels aren't paper thin.
JossJossJoss1 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts Folded 500 times?!? Science says no. The master bladesmiths of japan says no. A steel folded 16 times is 65+ THOUSAND layers. No katana EVER had that many layers. And paper thin?!? Because you want your sword to break? And sharp as hell because you never plan on facing armor? I have held nihontos (both new and antiques) in my hand. They are NOTHING like what you describe. In fact they vary a LOT of variances...some antique katanas were pretty horrid in fact.
ColdNapalm42 2 months ago
@ColdNapalm42
65536 layers, exactly.
AdNeeb 1 month ago
@TheElem3nts
For someone urging other people to do research before they speak, you sure could follow your own advice...
500 folds? Do you have any idea how many layers that would produce? Go ahead and make the calculation - see if there's even a point in writing down a number this large...
Just so you know - no blade, EVER, was folded more than 12 times.
After 20 folds, you just decarbonize your metal.
The remaining 480 is pure masturbation - fun, but ultimately fruitless...
Zyamaman 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts a katana was foldet max. 20 times.. more would be bad for the steel, also, a katana ist tewice as thick as an european longsword ;) but yes, a katana k´can be sharp as hell.. but more sharp= more brittel ;)
TheLoki7281 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts On koto blades cutting metal, sheet metal can be cut fairly easily - /watch?v=reec-2QBGw4
Compare the same sword that cut the sheet metal against thin wrought iron munitions armour - /watch?v=avnjDouvuRc
Not that other swords are necessarily better (there is not really a best sword) but many of the feats done to show off katana are not as impressive as they look, many other swords can do the same thing.
Railstarfish 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts
there is a certain part of the mysticism that should be dismissed. Katanas are excellent duel weapons and are stupidly good for slashing, but it is not an ultimate weapon. sure it is a very beautiful weapon crafted for nobility made bu extremely good swordsmiths that compensated the lack of good Iron ore with sheer talent, but the katana is not a smashing weapon designed to go through objects, it is designed to slash at opponents.
irregularzero 2 months ago
@TheElem3nts No dude they weren't ever paper thin. That's retarded.
Twycross 2 months ago
They were on the end of the handle.
MrSiiKez 3 months ago
On some Japanese blades there was a very little spade-like piece extrusion used for cleaning the ears, was that used to clean out dirt/blood on the battle field?
MrSiiKez 3 months ago
saying the katana is just a bit of sharp steel is like saying the christian crucifix is just a couple of bits of wood nailed together..... its true.. but if you say it in the wrong crowd you might end up missing a few pieces of yourself
MourningStar13666 3 months ago
I studied Iaito and kendo.....the katana is a yard of sharp steel...it does what any other yard of sharp steel does...no more no less. The mystique surrounding it is nonsense.
youmaus 3 months ago 5
I realy enjoyed this video, and correct, mostly. the only thing is that the Katana should have been static in design, it has not, but the exprementing is mostly in length.
ZeroWolfAlfa 3 months ago
@ZeroWolfAlfa The variation in length is tiny.
lindybeige 3 months ago
Pff. Lies. Everyone knows a katana can slice through a tank. Do your research!
FortuneInLies 3 months ago 2
I agree that a katana is no more effective than a longsword-a good slice and the guy's pretty much dead, I have looked at both the celtic swords and the katanas, and both have their own beauty. personally I prefer a greatsword (just my style). I have seen both swords made, and the methods by which they are made are also very similar, in all I think the katana is waaaaay too...glorified, it is basically just another sword with one edge and a bad stabbing point.
MrPdante 3 months ago
If you can't pronounce naginata correctly... I don't think I can believe you...
dnd00719953 3 months ago
@dnd00719953 I Anglicised it. I do the same with Paris.
lindybeige 3 months ago 17
you should try forging a katana, then see how you feel about it
nothuman100 3 months ago
buncha liars here and there
freekitten00 3 months ago
This is an excellent video that does a bit to de-hype the overtly mythical nature of Japanese swords. Do not get me wrong, I like Japanese swords, I just don't live in anime world, and love it when people talk practically about these things. No myths, no illusions.
GeekControl2MajorTim 3 months ago
I have always regarded the katana as far closer to a rapier in terms of practicality. Both were essentially "dress swords", for use in a civilian context, and symbol of status. The katana is seen as the family heirloom, and badge of the family, but in practical terms, they were probably too expensive to replace, so damaging one in battle would have brought great dishonour... by which I mean financial woes. Great video, though i'm sure it will piss off a few people who live in fantasy world.
GeekControl2MajorTim 3 months ago
you ppl need to look at this if you think its *so* inferior "Japanese Katana VS European Longsword - Samurai sword VS Knight Broadsword" they right here say its a better weapon. if you do note, the katana slices through the cabbage cleaner then the broadsword btw. oh yes...on a final note? the samurai did not use shields. hell, most of their armour was open in the back unless they used a se-ita or "cowards plate" to close it.
apachedrifter 3 months ago
@apachedrifter
Yes, we all saw that video - it was very poorly made, and cannot be used as a proof of anything at all.
Read in the comments section in that video - there's a couple fairly knowledgeable blokes over there' who will explain to you exactly what's wrong with it.
Knights in plate armor didn't use shields either, BTW...
Zyamaman 3 months ago
@apachedrifter
Yes, the japaense had many crushing victories against the unarmored cabbage-people of Europe, the katana was an invaluable weapon in those wars
0hypnotoad0 3 months ago
@0hypnotoad0 you bet they did... did you see it when the Spainish sent in the fruit!? even that watermelon couldn't stop the sword!!! LOL
MrPdante 3 months ago
@apachedrifter That video you speak of is someone with no historical background using cheap swords to swing at targets with little in common with historical armour. The issue with the longsword in that video is it literally is not sharpened, which is nothing to do with being a longsword or katana and everything to do with nobody bothering to sharpen it. Either sword can be razor sharp, either sword can be dulled into uselessness.
Railstarfish 3 months ago
@apachedrifter that video is FIXED!!! they are testing the emperors katana sharpened to a razor point in the way it is supposed to be used against a useless peasent-knight's fathers sword that is sharpened to cabbage cutting ( is that even a state of sharpness?) and they are only using the first oh, 2-3 feet of it. Also a longsword allows a shield ( and knights in plate armor could use a shield, for the record). A man with a longsword and shield vs a man with a katana, sword and shield win man.
MrPdante 3 months ago
@MrPdante By the way, cabbage cutting is not a state of sharpness - I own a fully blunted practise sword designed for safety and it can still cut through cabbages.
Railstarfish 3 months ago
Theres never really any evidence that the Samurai used the Katana at all; it was rather the weapon of the Ronin in the 17th century during peace times. The Samurai's main weapon would either be a Yari, Yumi, or Tachi. Then again the Katana was basically a craptastically watered down version Tachi. Ronins were mostly thugs, the Samurai was basically a officer who lead Bushi into battle rather than a front line soldier.
PBJsandwich100 3 months ago
@lindybeige:
I think it is obvious that the katana was not designed as a battle weapon. Poor for armor piercing, poor reach, too short for horseback effectiveness (Samurai mainly fought on horseback if I recall).
However, what of the katana as a duel weapon? Do you get the sense that it would be a superior weapon in a one-on-one fight because of the innate maneuverability of having a relatively small, light two-handed weapon? And also that duels often weren't conducted with heavy armor on?
tenthousandsuns 3 months ago
@tenthousandsuns Katana were actually fairly late swords, by the time katana were made samurai had started fighting in long spear & bow formations with ashigaru, and I think (pure speculation on my part) that the katana being so short would make it more practical in such a scrum of spearmen.
Railstarfish 3 months ago
@tenthousandsuns I'd think it would be a pretty good weapon overall. Just not a great battlefield weapon. To expound on this a little, we often hear that katana (and other swords) were not "battlefield" weapons. Yet swords of any kind are comparatively expensive weapons and remained popular. We should keep in mind that most violence - even militarily important violence - did not take place in big pitched battles with blocks of soldiers in formation (where swords were truly secondary at best).
fakejohnwilkesbooth 3 months ago
@tenthousandsuns
...For the record...They kinda say that in japanese textbooks. Duel weapon...One on one style...Peasants don't have relyible armor...
ninja25701 3 months ago
@tenthousandsuns study your history more mate. 1 samurai stopped fighting from horseback since the tachi fell into disfavor. tachi=edge down for mounted combat, katana=edge up for on foot. 2 it can pierce better then the english broadsword. 3 it was short to facilitate nuketsuke since drawing and cutting was one action. samurai actually fought up close and personal on the field. 4 armour was not heavy. it actually afforded little
apachedrifter 3 months ago
@apachedrifter
1. Samurai are mounted archers - swords are were a backup weapon.
2. No, it cannot - it's wider at the cross-section than the longsword (not broadsword), and it's edge-oriented balance does not facilitate for good stabbing hits.
3. Cool.
4. Up to 60 pounds is not heavy?
Zyamaman 3 months ago
@tenthousandsuns protection except for the vital arias and samurai were trained to exploit and attack places not covered by the armour. look up yoroi and you'll see how "heavy" their armour was *not*. yes....duels were conducted w/o armour.
apachedrifter 3 months ago
@apachedrifter On samurai armour, O-yoroi averaged 65 lbs and Yukinoshita-Do samples I have seen weighed 50-55 lbs. That is similar weight to many armours in Europe and elsewhere. Not too heavy but not lighter than what other people wore either. Samurai had full armours and partial armours, like most kingdoms, all warriors were trained to exploit/attack places not covered by armour. In many ways you are right, but it is not more true of samurai than warriors elsewhere.
Railstarfish 3 months ago
Tidbit on Katana background, just saying it so it's out there. Katanas (the prime ones) were made from a rare metal they heated up, beat a lot and got two different metals out of. Softer stuff went on outside and the hard stuff on the inside. This gave them a core with a sort of aluminium exterior that made them a bit lighter than what people originally thought. They also practice slashes where they stiffen up their body and throw their body into their swing at the point of impact.
Vydonis 3 months ago
@Vydonis The rare metal is called Tamahagane, which is actually just iron from a particular source (black sand). They made steel from that, and the two different metals were just different hardnesses of steel, which doesn't affect the weight. The idea is the harder edge will be sharp while the softer body would be less likely to chip or crack, it is nothing to do with aluminium at all.
Railstarfish 3 months ago
The Longsword is much more versatile then the Katana, it had to be. A soldier would carry perhaps a longsword and dagger, maybe a shield.
The Samurai however would have either a bow or spear as a primary weapon but he carried swords of multiple lengths and style for situations where his bow or spear were of no use. The fact that a Samurai was raised from birth to be a warrior meant he would be adept at using multiple weapons. This allowed weapons designed for a specific task, such as the Katana
franstar27 3 months ago
@franstar27 : Though you're forgetting that Knights were also raised from birth to do war, and in fact were trained to use many different types of weapons as well.
Halofreakanoid 3 months ago
@Halofreakanoid Yeah, a lot of warriors were historically "raised from birth to fight"; there was nothing particularly special about samurai, or knights, or Spartans, or (elite) vikings, or whatever. Until fairly recently, apprenticeship from youth was how anyone became any kind of professional, whether it be as fighters or carpenters or blacksmiths or whatever. Even peasants would have been working on the farm with their families from youth.
fakejohnwilkesbooth 3 months ago