Swords and other arms.

[Toxikmynd]

I'm a sword enthusiast I mean, come on, how couldn't you just love sharp things. I'm more of a weapons enthusiast I guess, but this is a sword general question. I know the Katana is definitely not some sword of magical power, but is it truly as terrible as everyone says it is? What is a really good Asian style sword anyway? I'm already pretty well versed in European and Middle Eastern swords, but Asian swords are a mystery to me.

 

[Sees]

All are good, just different. It's mostly a subjective thing of preference, love of the culture, etc. There's a tendency to think fighting style or small differences in weapon detail and design make as much or more difference than the warrior himself but it's never been the case. Similar to the marketing of such and such basketball player is awesome because of his expensive, branded shoes.

Certain types do favor certain styles and techniques of use that will fit a person's natural body structure and mechanics better, or even their temperament and such...people would have to discover for themselves.

As an arms/weapons lover I've never met a sword I didn't like

 

[Toxikmynd]

I know that a weapons doesn't make the warrior, but I've read so much that says the Katana is a terrible weapon, and I'm ready to accept that it's just, it wouldn't make any sense for the Japanese to use it for as long as they did. I mean, I will definitely stick to viking swords and claymores but really, it had to be pretty effective. Side note, anyone else interested in Total War: Attila???

 

[Sees]

I know that a weapons doesn't make the warrior, but I've read so much that says the Katana is a termall,e weapon, and I'm ready to accept that it's just, it wouldn't make any sense for the Japanese to use it for as long as they did. I mean, I will definitely stick to viking swords and claymores but really, it had to be pretty effective. Side note, anyone else interested in Total War: Attila???

People will say they are the best and others say they are over-hyped junk...depends a lot on if they have ever even seen or used a good example aka real one or mall/flea market stuff. Definitely don't pay much attention to internet opinion on it lol

 

[Toxikmynd]

People will say they are the best and others say they are over-hyped junk...depends a lot on if they have ever even seen or used a good example aka real one or mall/flea market stuff. Definitely don't pay much attention to internet opinion on it lol

If I get one I think I'm going to buy a
THAITSUKI NIHONTO KUMORI JAPANESE KATANA
I've heard a lot of good about it, definitely would be the most expensive sword in my collection though.

 

[Poeticus]

I'm a sword enthusiast I mean, come on, how couldn't you just love sharp things. I'm more of a weapons enthusiast I guess, but this is a sword general question. I know the Katana is definitely not some sword of magical power, but is it truly as terrible as everyone says it is? What is a really good Asian style sword anyway? I'm already pretty well versed in European and Middle Eastern swords, but Asian swords are a mystery to me.

I am familiar with the complaint that the Katana is not a good sword. However, such a complaint seems to be born from socio-cultural matters rather than the practicality of the sword itself, as per my observations at least. The Samurai, in their prime, didn't become such formidable swordsmen, perhaps the greatest on the planet during their time, from wielding "terrible" swords. It was an instrument that had to be "levered"; its fighting pattern unique and intricate---you can't really just swing it around, there's a whole martial art behind it.

Personally speaking, I'm more of a fan of the bow (especially since I'm Hindu). You see, archery was my first love. There is nothing like the slight creaking of laminated limbs on a traditional bow with a wooden arrow, as opposed to a carbon arrow, nocked on the string, pulled back, then released; and feeling the quick gush of wind as the feathers fly away and your drawing hand abruptly comes back. It's practically magical.

 

[Sees]

If I get one I think I'm going to buy a
THAITSUKI NIHONTO KUMORI JAPANESE KATANA
I've heard a lot of good about it, definitely would be the most expensive sword in my collection though.

If you don't love it you can always sell to somebody

Can't lose if you have the money to spare

 

[Sees]

I am familiar with the complaint that the Katana is not a good sword. However, such a complaint seems to be born from socio-cultural matters rather than the practicality of the sword itself, as per my observations at least. The Samurai, in their prime, didn't become such formidable swordsmen, perhaps the greatest on the planet during their time, from wielding "terrible" swords. It was an instrument that had to be "levered"; it's fighting pattern unique and intricate---you can't really just swing it around, there's a whole martial behind it.

Personally speaking, I'm more of a fan of the bow (especially since I'm Hindu). You see, archery was my first love. There is nothing like the slight creaking of laminated limbs on a traditional bow with a wooden arrow, as opposed to a carbon arrow, nocked on the string, pulled back, then released and feeling the quick gush of wind as the feathers fly away and your drawing hand abruptly comes back. It's practically magical.

And the bow ruled Japanese battles by far

 

[Revoltingest]

Here's my favorite sword.
Although I'd have it accurized to match grade, & add a Springfield Government Model scope.

 

[Bunyip]

I am familiar with the complaint that the Katana is not a good sword. However, such a complaint seems to be born from socio-cultural matters rather than the practicality of the sword itself, as per my observations at least. The Samurai, in their prime, didn't become such formidable swordsmen, perhaps the greatest on the planet during their time, from wielding "terrible" swords. It was an instrument that had to be "levered"; its fighting pattern unique and intricate---you can't really just swing it around, there's a whole martial art behind it.

Personally speaking, I'm more of a fan of the bow (especially since I'm Hindu). You see, archery was my first love. There is nothing like the slight creaking of laminated limbs on a traditional bow with a wooden arrow, as opposed to a carbon arrow, nocked on the string, pulled back, then released; and feeling the quick gush of wind as the feathers fly away and your drawing hand abruptly comes back. It's practically magical.

I make my own bows, and arrows from Australian timber. And yes I find it so much more fun than my high tech compound bow. The whole instinctive shooting technique as opposed to release mechanisms and optic fiber sights is so much more satisfying.

 

[Poeticus]

I make my own bows, and arrows from Australian timber.

That's the way to do, Bunyip! That's commendable, really.

And yes I find it so much more fun than my high tech compound bow. The whole instinctive shooting technique as opposed to release mechanisms and optic fiber sights is so much more satisfying.

I have a dual-cam bow that's 68# @29in, and it shoots like a charm. It's an expensive piece of deadlyness. But every time I practice with it, I feel like I'm cheating. The satisfaction from handling a traditional bow, light yet powerful and heavy on draw, is really something else. I prefer the reflex/deflex longbows over recurves, but I'm really etching to get into horsebows. Hopefully sometime soon! *fingers crossed*

 

[Bunyip]

That's the way to do, Bunyip! That's commendable, really.

I have a dual-cam bow that's 68# @29in, and it shoots like a charm. It's an expensive piece of deadlyness. But every time I practice with it, I feel like I'm cheating. The satisfaction from handling a traditional bow, light yet powerful and heavy on draw, is really something else. I prefer the reflex/deflex longbows over recurves, but I'm really etching to get into horsebows. Hopefully sometime soon! *fingers crossed*

Yeah and with my 60lb compound it destroys targets and arrows, if you miss the arrow is gone. My longbows and horse bows are just more fun. Modern recurves tend to be snappy b*****s. I can shoot three arrows before my buddy has got his first sighted.

 

[Bunyip]

 

[Toxikmynd]

I'm impressed, I'm also into bows, I enjoy making them, but truthfully, I need to expand my other collections

 

[Toxikmynd]

I really favor the katana for its sheer simplicity that makes it so beautiful. Maybe I should do myself a favor though and get a Talwar or something.

 

[Bunyip]

I really favor the katana for its sheer simplicity that makes it so beautiful. Maybe I should do myself a favor though and get a Talwar or something.

As far as swords go though, the sabres from 18th century germany are as good a steel as the fabled katana and a good one is going to be much cheaper. Similar dynamics. That's my 2c worth. Light, balanced hard steel. You'd gut the longsword dude before he got it out of his scabbard.

 

[Whiterain]

All I got is a Gladius machete and a cheap Stryker 12 Gauge assault shotgun for home pro.

Don't ask why I bought it, impulse buy. Sharp as the dickens though.


Check out the Hema Alliance, European Sword Martial Arts clubs, if you like sword fighting.

HEMA Alliance — The online home of the HEMA Alliance

Club finder,
HEMA Alliance European Club Finder

I got really excited to find one in my city. I actually hadn't been that excited in a while.