Thrand and Eldgrimr's Responce to Lock N' Load Blades

Thrand and Eldgrimr compare a a late century dueling Katana to a 9th century Viking long sword in response to the episode of Lock N' Load with R. Lee Ermey the Blades episode were they compare a 15th century European Long Sword against a earlier period Katana on a plate armor. The armor the episode used seemed questionable how easy it was pierced and the long sword like a later century dueling weapon from Renaissance era used for dueling with no armor and most likely not even sharp. Although double edged blades seem to Perice Armor easier due to taper point Thrand explains any sword hitting plate can do better depending on weight and either weapon in History Katana or longsword could beat the other depending on weight Katana can be 3 to 6.5 ponds and long sword can be about the same depending on era and design. The curve really makes no difference on plate only rigidity and weight and point design for thrust. Initial impact is every thing and neither sword really won on that program. By the Way guys the padding under the breast plate might have been a bit much we will test thrust again with out padding soon :P

This is also a response to " Japanese Katana VS European Longsword - Samurai sword VS Knight Broadsword " on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkoj932YFo

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[DalirKRuiz]

Thrand is a weapon master, can wield effectively a lot of different weapons, gives the world historically accurate teachings about ancient warriors, and also wears cool glasses! Men this guy is awesome.

[ThegnThrand]

@DalirKRuiz Thanks :P

[Fluffisnoterm]

I guess this video just goes ahead and proves what many martial arts practitioners and instructors have known for a long time. So long as you're talking of a high end weapon, it's not the weapon that matters, it's the warrior using it. Thank you for showing some actual fair testing. I'm saying that as a friend of the katana. :)

[ThegnThrand]

@Fluffisnoterm I have a nice Katana for the Wrap up Of Spartan Vs. Ninja / Samurai if we can actually get it finished in the works ATM :D

[SpartanAceMe2]

I cannot take this test at face value. You are testing a Viking longsword on a breastplate already weakened by the katana test. I know you aren't loaded or anything, however the test would hold more water had there been a second breastplate to test the Viking longsword on. Now while I admit that the Lock 'n Load test my not have been 100% accurate, it had a piece of "armor" with two different sides for the weapons to be tested on. But just my opinion.

[Tork789]

You did a great job. But am I right that you said that the breastplate isn't quenched? And could you show us how the actual 15th century longsword would do against the breastplate? Beacuse according to Oakshott's typology XVa, or XVIIIb should go through the plate.

[IronCoredKnight]

viking vs knight

whats your bet thrand???

[RobertStarrHaile]

@RobertStarrHaile To follow up on my own post...Ermey's use of both swords was downright laughable. They really should have got a professional practioner of both styles instead of trusting the test to someone completely untrained. They also only invited a Japanese sword student to monitor the tests. I think it's quite obvious that the whole ordeal was biased and perhaps even staged. European swords excel Japanese swords in most areas of performance.

[RobertStarrHaile]

I intend no disrespect, but I'm afraid the breastplate used in this video isn't a proper representation either. You really shouldn't be seeing this kind of damage to a well made piece of armor, even while completely stationary. I would much prefer to see this test done with a properly heat treated breastplate. I guarantee you wouldn't see any penetration or denting.

That said, R. Lee Ermey's display on lock and load was nonsense. It's a real shame to see him perpetuating such myths.

[gurkfisk89]

@mikefulcher03AUG2000

I'm not saying that halfswording was common. I don't know about that, I'm not that versed in katana fencing. But it seems that it was used at some times at least.

[gurkfisk89]

@mikefulcher03AUG2000

I've heard about katanas with a point of balance from just above the tsuba to about 4-6 inches above the tsuba. This would be up to the samurai to decide what he wants.

Now to longswords. They also weights about 3 lbs. and the balance point varies alot but often about a few inches from the crossguard. So it's very similar to the katana.

[gurkfisk89]

@mikefulcher03AUG2000

When it comes to balance there is no perfect thing for swords. We are talkning about moment of inertia here. A more blade heavy sword will have more MOI and that will aid in a cut. With less moment of inertia you will not be able to deliver as nasty cuts but you have better point control and will be able to swing your sword faster.

[gurkfisk89]

@mikefulcher03AUG2000

So there you go, yes this shows that when comparing these katanas to these european sword the katana was sharper when we look at the edge angles. But not by much. So I stand by my point that while longswords wasn't /as sharp/ as katanas they where nearly as sharp. It was clearly sharp enough in some cases to cut a man in half or cut limbs of. (Skeletons has ben found after battle with both legs cut off with a single cut).