Broadsword vs Katana

[Guest]

If the thickest Broadsword were to clash with the most folded Katana, which would win?

I heard the most a Broadsword's thickness went, was 4 inches.

Because my friend and I, are in a debate on wetheir or not a Broadsword would be able to withstand a Katana if the two were to clash.

[GaryGrzybek]

Hello,

I don't really know and truthfully, what does it matter?

Warriors didn't set out to break each others blades anyway, they're goal was to exploit openings and get at the soft gushy stuff. <img src="/forum/images/icons/shocked.gif" alt="" /> In truth many of us are tired of the Samurai vs Knight thing.

Here's a good article you might want to check out

http://www.thearma.org/essays/knightvs.htm

[Lance Chan]

Dallas, in reality, a katana is mostly thicker than european swords, both at the base and along the length. Moreover, I have never heard of any among both type that have thickness exceed 1 cm, not to mention 4 inches.... .

[Guest]

Well the reason being, is of course during battle, the swords will clash against each other, therefore what if one of them broke?

I was just curious to which one would be stronger.

Hm, I heard there were broadswords up to 4 inches thick, but I guess that isn't true then.

So in reality, a Katana has the ability to literally break a European sword?

[Lance Chan]

Yes, it can.

So do vice versa. It depends on how badly damaged the sword being broken was before the impact. If you mean both are in pristine condition, then it's not likely to happen in a single fight.

[Guest]

I guess that by thickness you mean width of the blade.

And no, I hardly think that either type of sword would break the other. A "broadsword" (by wich I guess you mean a generic "crucifix knightly sword" and not the scottish basket hilt) I believe is a litte more flexible than katana, so if anything the katana might be more likely to break.

But then again - I cannot see why either of the swordsmen would try to do anything that might break the others sword.

Fredrik

[John_Clements]

A "broadsword" is an early 17th century form of cutlass or backsword, essentially a saber like weapon --not the Medieval type of sword you are likely referring to. Even then, Medieval swords come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and styles, from narrow and tapering to long and wide.

[Guest]

Thanks for the info, btw any sites or links that can give me some images and/or descriptions of a "crucifix knightly sword"?

[Guest]

"It depends on how badly damaged the sword being broken was before the impact. If you mean both are in pristine condition, then it's not likely to happen in a single fight."

Interesting, however what if the two weapons, were both in the same condition, which would last longer? I heard the Katana is folded much more then a standard European sword, therefore it may last longer.

[Randall Pleasant]

Dallas

Folding is done to remove impurities from steel. The more folding done the more impure the steel was to begin with. In the hands of good swordsmen each sword would have last through many generations since they would have protected the edges of their swords by <u>not</u> doing edge-on-edge parries. Remember, broken swords, like broken guns, represent dead men!

[Guest]

Thanks Randal <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .

Oh btw, I met to say "4 inches wide", not 4 inches thick.

[Guest]

I just got done breifly reading this artical and I have a question. http://www.thehaca.com/essays/broadsword.htm

What is a Medieval sword that is about 4 inches wide called then? Or should be labeled?

[Lance Chan]

Dallas, in addition to what Randal has said, the more folding, the more flaws you may have in the manufacturing process and you guess the result. Despite that I'm not quite "politica correct" in terms of WMA when it comes to katana quality vs European swords quality (just the tools, not the man), I still don't think the katana can cut through European swords in most occasions.

Anyway, try to read through this arma site first. There are plenty articles in the essay areas that would have solved your question. There are also many photos inside to show you how an european swords look like.

Perhaps we should read articles first, ask questions later?

[Shane Smith]

Dallas,the only medieval sword that comes to my mind that MAY have a width of up to 4" would be the falcion.I don't know for sure if any of those were that wide either ...<img src="/forum/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />