Slashing ability of very tapered blades?

[Chris Ouellet]

Yeah I agree guys, they're very interesting cutting tests, some of the best I've seen in fact.
The rondel was very surprising - I think his analysis is correct, it's the sharpness of the edges which is critical in allowing the weapon to penetrate cloth armor.
Tatami is a pretty good approximation of bare flesh and many tests prove tapered longswords can cause greivous injury to an unarmored target with a cut.

As for the guy's sword technique Stacy, he goes into detail on p. 4 :
"All of my cuts are draw cuts to a degree. You can't defeat textile armor without draw cuts. All cuts with the longswords were at or slightly above (closer to the point) the CoP. All katana cuts were with the last 8" of the blade, closer to the tip. Basically, all swords were used the way each sword is supposed to be used. "
I think he did a pretty good job. I to would've liked to see the katana on maille but I think he prizes that sword much like he prizes his Talhoffer.

[Stacy Clifford]

OK, thanks for pointing that out, I didn't quite have time to read every word yesterday. They are a good set of tests overall, I commend the guy for being pretty thorough, and obviously spending a lot of money.

[CalebChow]

Those tests are really neat--answers my question pretty well.

Second follow-up question (even further removed from the original post) if I may...

Since the tapered blades are diamond-shaped, does that significantly affect the structural integrity of the blade in parrying or the flex of the blade in receiving blows?

It seems that a less tapered, flatter blade would flex better for impact on the flats. But once again, anyone have experience with this or have done tests?

[Shane Smith]

Those tests are really neat--answers my question pretty well.

Second follow-up question (even further removed from the original post) if I may...

Since the tapered blades are diamond-shaped, does that significantly affect the structural integrity of the blade in parrying or the flex of the blade in receiving blows?

It seems that a less tapered, flatter blade would flex better for impact on the flats. But once again, anyone have experience with this or have done tests?

Diamond sectioned blades are stiffer in parrying and thrusting...that's why they're so useful for armoured combat and foyning fence.