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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2010 2:08:20 GMT
Me, I don't really have the brains for the physics involved in the whole curved vs straight question. I'm more of an impirical testing guy. So, if I wanted to figure this out, this is what I'd do; 1: Have a decent straight sword made. 2: Have an identical sword made, except this time add a curve. 3: Test cut both of them extensively and see if there's any notable difference. May be a bit pricy just or an experiement, but hey, at least it would settle it once and for all. Along the lines of the Chinese style blade that has been mentioned, a single edged blade with identical geometry (or as close as possible) could easily be made in the Japanese tradition. 26" nagasa straight, and 26" nagasa, curved. Same width, thickness, etc. That doesn't take into consideration the euro vs. katana issues, but it would definately take into consideration the curved vs. straight. Funny thing is, I think in that scenario the curved might have something of an edge. More weight at the point of contact to resist deceleration, a better entry angle, and a facilitated draw to the cut. I could of course be wrong. I'm not promoting that anyone should try this. But if you do, wear googles and gloves and steel-toe boots. For some reason, katana people cut into the shoe of the opposite foot. Hence I always recommend the 26" over 29", especially for short folks. This is the absolute truth...for the inexperienced. I'm quite ashamed to admit that my first cut ever with a sword was with a katana, and I was barefoot (in socks actually...this is the part I'm ashamed of of course p=). The look on my wife's face when the sword came back from the cut with a full 1/8" of the tip of my right pinkey toe stuck to it was priceless. It hurt. A lot. And I still have no idea why my right foot was in the air to be hit...but it was. By the way, even after that experience I still had a tendancy to lead with the wrong foot in the cut (I kept it on the ground though). Some formal training...with a sensei that carried a bokken erased that tendancy very quickly. And for those of you wondering, I think I'm part lizard...cause my pinkey toe grew back completely normal Cris
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Avery
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"It's alright little brother... There are more!!!
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Post by Avery on Jun 26, 2010 2:21:17 GMT
I'm quite ashamed to admit that my first cut ever with a sword was with a katana, and I was barefoot (in socks actually...this is the part I'm ashamed of of course p=). The look on my wife's face when the sword came back from the cut with a full 1/8" of the tip of my right pinkey toe stuck to it was priceless. It hurt. A lot. And I still have no idea why my right foot was in the air to be hit...but it was. Cris Okay, I know I shouldn't have, but I laughed a little at this. The thought of the tip of your toe on the sword struck me funny.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2010 2:35:28 GMT
I'm quite ashamed to admit that my first cut ever with a sword was with a katana, and I was barefoot (in socks actually...this is the part I'm ashamed of of course p=). The look on my wife's face when the sword came back from the cut with a full 1/8" of the tip of my right pinkey toe stuck to it was priceless. It hurt. A lot. And I still have no idea why my right foot was in the air to be hit...but it was. Cris Okay, I know I shouldn't have, but I laughed a little at this. The thought of the tip of your toe on the sword struck me funny. dont feel bad bro... some of did also... we just didnt say anything.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2010 3:01:59 GMT
Okay, I know I shouldn't have, but I laughed a little at this. The thought of the tip of your toe on the sword struck me funny. It's ok, you were supposed to =D.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2010 6:38:15 GMT
I mainly like a curved blade because it is "purtier" to me than a straight blade. And also because they feel more natural and comfortable to me. My katana feels so good in my hand! Fb
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Jun 28, 2010 10:08:06 GMT
I mainly like a curved blade because it is "purtier" to me than a straight blade. And also because they feel more natural and comfortable to me. My katana feels so good in my hand! Fb Best reason I've ever heard to prefer on over the other. +1
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2010 11:38:03 GMT
And for those of you wondering, I think I'm part lizard...cause my pinkey toe grew back completely normal Cris[/quote] Oh, thank heavens! I had been loosing sleep wondering about that! [snort]
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2010 13:35:19 GMT
For real, I just think a curved blade is so elegant looking and is lighter and quicker in my hand, at least certain types. FB
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2010 13:57:55 GMT
I have said it before and I will say it again-the katana is sexy,sensual,elegant-for sheer pleasure of looking at I cannot honestly think of another blade that compares to the kat,But having said that,I recently got a couple of gladii-I love my kats-but, there is something in there brutally utilatarion design that has me fasanated with them.I constantly handle them-and have cut a fair amount with them and my appreciation for the straight blade has gone up remarkably.I hate to say this,but in all honesty-if I had to choose one blade for real life ancient application-a waspwaisted gladius would probubly be my choice-I just love how it handles.Just my 2 cents!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2010 15:49:14 GMT
I hear ya. My main focus has always been Eastern blades, but lately the straight blades have been weaving their spell on me. Those Gladii are ferocious in their practicality. Living proof that the fall of the Roman Empire had nothing to do with their armaments!
I have never tried cutting with a straight blade, however. For all intents and purposes, it seems like the mechanics are roughly the same.
What I've always thought about curved vs straight is that the curved blade focuses more of its energy on a smaller area during the course of the cut. Think of a loaf of bread being cut by a bandsaw, and then a chop saw, both to a depth of a quarter inch. Even though the depth of the cut is the same with both saws, the length of the cut, measured at the surface will be longer from the bandsaw.
That make sense?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2010 19:59:39 GMT
Yep, I agree and that is the way I feel about my katana. But I also love the U.S. Civil War Cavalry sabre and the Shamshir of the middle east! FB
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2010 14:02:43 GMT
I don't think that the Japanese clung to the curve because they felt that they were too weak to use a straight-bladed sword. It has more to do with the way the sword was being used. Uchigatana (katana and wakizashi) combine the action of drawing and striking in one motion. Try drawing a long (31" - 40") straight-bladed sword of any culture from its sheath and striking as fast as you can, then try drawing a katana from its saya using proper iai technique. You can much more easily draw and strike in one motion with a katana, but obviously if the katana is too long, drawing and striking becomes harder. I'm pretty sure that the curve is mostly there for the way it facilitates draw strokes, although you can't overlook that a curved blade is better for slicing/cutting than a straight blade. Thing is, the katana is descendant from the tachi, which was also curved but not used for iai techniques. (Being longer then katana and carried edge-down.) It was curved because it was specifically a cavalry sword, IIRC. So, it's not like they made their swords curved to help them with draw techniques. Rather, they figured the draw techniques out long after they started to make them curved. Yeah, katana tend to be kinda heavy for swords of their general size. Plus, they don't have much of a counter-weight since they don't have pommels. Along the lines of the Chinese style blade that has been mentioned, a single edged blade with identical geometry (or as close as possible) could easily be made in the Japanese tradition. 26" nagasa straight, and 26" nagasa, curved. Same width, thickness, etc. Another approach might be to make two swords of a type that are normally straight, and then deliberately saber one of them. Personally, I think the euro vs katana is a bit silly. They're different swords, and from what I can tell it gets down to technique - an expert at the katana can have trouble with the euro-sword and vice versa. Hence the experiment. First of all: Ouch. Second: My impression is that one is supposed to step forward with the leading foot, leaving the foot opposite to the cut behind. That would minimize the risk of cutting it, plus it lets your body turn with the cut.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2010 5:07:26 GMT
haha hey what does this mean? Its to keep these guys out of town
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2010 23:56:12 GMT
I see beer kegs in that picture Back to curved vs. straight - the general bs is dependant on various camps of the sword enthusiasts' world. Various camps where some tend to project hatred towards certain types sword for whatever merit they could muster. The same goes for bow/polearms/armor if you're into any of that.
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