Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
ps. Katana's are bowed, you can't stab with it and overall these swords do not seem to be very practical in fight. According to me these swords are overhyped.
They're not meant for a fight, only for one slash - and they were
razor sharp. With one lightning strike (ai-jitsu), you were meant to kill the opponent. Hence the lack of shields in Japanese warfare. Everything about a katana is designed for that first strike. They don't stab, they don't parry.
Rapiers are the ultimate fencing sword, but were no battlefield weapon. I wouldn't have taken on a samurai with one. A duel tool for dandies only.
Interesting historical fact: Jim Bowie, inventor of the knife carrying his name, was stabbed in the chest with a rapier during a duel. The blade deflected off his breastbone and didn't pierce anything vital. He then killed his opponent with his famous knife.
