advantages of using European swords over Japanse?

[Argartis]

I have a bit of experience in this field so I'll toss in my two cents. I don't know everything by any means, and I don't have experience testing weapons against armor, though I do enjoy cutting tests.
Personally, I would take specific, well-made European weapons over katanas. I love falchions, and think they are a great balance between hacking, blocking, and thrusting capabilities. I also like the rapid striking allowed by a rapier. In general, I place the katana between these two somewhere in capability. It'll cut wonderfully, untill you hit bone that a falchion or heavier blade could cleave or break. It's a successful thruster, but because of the thickness of the blade, and the curve especially, the katana naturally wants to curve away from the straight point of impact, reducing effectiveness.
Also, in long term, a katana is not as effective as sustainable weapons. Because of the exceptional harness of the blade, it chips and breaks very easily. This exposes the softer steel to strikes as well as thinning the sword in areas. Softer steels of European weapons can be nicked and scratched, but because of the steel, they do not break off chunks of the blade.
However, in practicality, decent katanas (deffinately go with the single steel) are much cheaper because of their popularity.
I would say try out a few and find what fits your body, your fighting style, and strength best and go with that. You'll have more variability in European weapons, but more value currently with Japanese katanas.

[FarmerJohn]

Originally Posted by Argartis

I have a bit of experience in this field so I'll toss in my two cents. I don't know everything by any means, and I don't have experience testing weapons against armor, though I do enjoy cutting tests.
Personally, I would take specific, well-made European weapons over katanas. I love falchions, and think they are a great balance between hacking, blocking, and thrusting capabilities. I also like the rapid striking allowed by a rapier. In general, I place the katana between these two somewhere in capability. It'll cut wonderfully, untill you hit bone that a falchion or heavier blade could cleave or break. It's a successful thruster, but because of the thickness of the blade, and the curve especially, the katana naturally wants to curve away from the straight point of impact, reducing effectiveness.
Also, in long term, a katana is not as effective as sustainable weapons. Because of the exceptional harness of the blade, it chips and breaks very easily. This exposes the softer steel to strikes as well as thinning the sword in areas. Softer steels of European weapons can be nicked and scratched, but because of the steel, they do not break off chunks of the blade.
However, in practicality, decent katanas (deffinately go with the single steel) are much cheaper because of their popularity.
I would say try out a few and find what fits your body, your fighting style, and strength best and go with that. You'll have more variability in European weapons, but more value currently with Japanese katanas.

the biggest problem I find with that advice is that alot of your cheaper swords balance is totally off from what a real sword designed for combat would be and most people lack the experience to know what OFF feels like
a weapons balancing and handling charachteristics are very important

[ForestBeekeeper]

I picked up fencing in college. I have competed stateside and in Europe. I even coached highschool fencing team for a couple years, it is a lot of fun

I have a set of Triple-edged foils from the 1700s that I picked up in Scotland.

I have never studied Kendo. Though I have trained men who were experienced Kendo swordsmen, in the practice of foil-fencing.



I do not see two-handed great swords as being practical in any context today.

Kendo is about rules of etiquette and honor; the Samurai code. It will not help anyone in survival.

I do see a place for fencing though.

Granted most will insist that firearms rule. So long as you have a firearm [and ammo], they do rule.

But I can fence with a cane. An object jambed through your chest is just as deadly if it is a bullet or a hickory switch.

Plate armor makes foils less effective, but wait, who wears plate armor today? Nobody.

I can carry my weapon, in public, and not offend anyone. No calls to 911, no women screaming. Yet I am a trained fencer carrying a deadly weapon.

Anyone can pick-up a cane and swing it. Only a fencer can parry, reposte, lunge and thrust.

Japanese or European? European.

[Bennyman]

Originally Posted by Amra910

Not quite true. Daniel Watson of Angel Sword has made his Damascus that is identical when compared to the original in a lab. It has all of the characteristics.

Daniel Watson may have been able to replicate the characteristics of the steel but he can't do it the way they did. They didn't have knowledge or access to any cryo-processing and he can get his fires much hotter than the ancient sword smiths could. And unless you feel like spending up to $30,000.00 on a sword. You will never see one of these pieces. Check out his site- Angelsword.com. I love there work. I've been a fan for over a decade but I'm not about to drop that kind of cash. Cheers