Katana Dynamics Classification Chart
Aug 21, 2018 18:32:49 GMT
Post by robertmccarter on Aug 21, 2018 18:32:49 GMT
Presenting the first ever way to quickly determine how a katana “feels/handles” without ever holding it! Going to post the current list of measured swords which can be updated as others contribute. You don’t need to know anything special to benefit from this although some things will need to be covered if you want to contribute to the list (links to videos about this at the bottom of the post). Let’s jump right in!
First, the swords are separated into 4 groups by weight (mass). Then, they are separated into 4 more groups by how “tip heavy” they are. Mass is the weight in grams. To get the ratio (for the tip heavy/tip light category) take the one handed tip rotational inertia and divide it by the hilt inertia. If I’ve lost you, that’s okay. Details on how to get these calculations are toward the bottom of the post.
Mass has 4 categories.
A: The lightest katana. Iaito will often be in this category.
B: Light to average
C: Average to heavy
D: The heaviest katana
One handed ratio (how easy/difficult it is to get the tip in motion) also has four categories.
1. The easiest to start/stop the tip.
2. More difficult to start/stop the tip
3. Even more difficult to start/stop
4. Katana requiring the most force to move the tip/rotate the sword one handed.
You look at both categories together and there you have it! This chart shows how you find what category your sword falls into.
For example, an A1 would be a light katana that one may describe as “easy to whip around”. A D4 may feel unwieldy and difficult to get moving. I personally favor a lighter sword with a good tip presence. So I’m right at home with an A4 although if I have a heavier sword like a C or D, I can’t use a 4 with one hand.
The list will be super helpful if you’re looking to buy one of the listed production katana. The custom swords listed will provide context.
THE CURRENT LIST: (parenthesis indicates who measured the katana)
A1:
Angel Sword Bright Knight Katana (1of2) (Matt Jensen)
Cheness Tenchi Ko Katana (Timo Nieminen)
Hanwei 30th Anniversary Musashi (Matt Jensen)
Nosyudo Iaito (1of2) (Jon Andresen)
Nosyudo Shinken (Jon Andresen)
A2:
Angel Sword Bright Knight Katana (2of2) (Matt Jensen)
Angel Sword L6 Katana (Matt Jensen)
Cheness Iaito (Jon Andresen)
Hanwei Orchid (Matt Jensen)
A3:
Angel Sword Dancing Demon Katana (Matt Jensen)
Citadel Lotus (Robert McCarter)
Nosyudo Iaito (2of2) (Jon Andresen)
Munetoshi Performance Cutter (Matt Jensen)
Ronin RK Budget (Robert McCarter)
A4:
Angel Sword Storm of War Avatar Katana (Matt Jensen)
Huawei Unokubi Zukuri (Timo Nieminen)
Kaneie Budo II/III (Robert McCarter)
B1:
(None yet!)
B2:
Hanwei Nobunaga (Robert McCarter)
Przemek Katana (Matt Jensen)
Ronin Dojo Pro Ko Katana #2 (Robert McCarter)
Skyjiro Kumo (Matt Jensen)
Skyjiro (Hawk 2016) 4 (Matt Jensen)
Skyjiro Taka Chigai (Robert McCarter)
B3:
Hanwei Masamune (Robert McCarter)
JKOO T10 Jensen Design (Matt Jensen)
Last Legend Yashima 3000 (Robert McCarter)
MTS #2 (Jon Andresen)
Ronin Dojo Elite (JENNIFER) (Matt Jensen)
SBG T10 Custom (Robert McCarter)
Walter Sorrells Katana (Matt Jensen)
B4:
Hanwei Bamboo Mat (Matt Jensen)
Rick Barrett W2 Higo (Jon Andresen)
Zhisword O Katana (Timo Nieminen)
C1:
Hanwei Lion Dog (Matt Jensen)
C2:
Howard Clark L6 (Jon Andresen)
C3:
Dragon King Winter Sun (Matt Jensen)
Dynasty Forge 1095 Bushi (Matt Jensen)
Hataya Kotetsu (Matt Jensen)
Howard Clark 1086 (Robert McCarter)
Minamoto Yasutake (Nihonto) (Jon Andresen)
Rick Barrett 1075 Trophy Wife (Jon Andresen)
C4:
Cheness O Katana (Timo Nieminen)
Josiah Boomershine Dotanuki (Jon Andresen)
D1:
Angel Sword O Katana (Matt Jensen)
Hanwei Oni (Matt Jensen)
D2:
(None Yet!)
D3:
Rick Barrett 1075 Ant Tachi Style (Matt Jensen)
D4:
(None Yet!)
So that is the list so far. The more we all add to it, the better it will get! Here are some links to further explains the chart and how you can contribute!
Andresen and McCarter discuss the chart:
How to use the weapon dynamics computer:
Link to weapon dynamics computer: subcaelo.net/ensis/dynamics-computer/
First, the swords are separated into 4 groups by weight (mass). Then, they are separated into 4 more groups by how “tip heavy” they are. Mass is the weight in grams. To get the ratio (for the tip heavy/tip light category) take the one handed tip rotational inertia and divide it by the hilt inertia. If I’ve lost you, that’s okay. Details on how to get these calculations are toward the bottom of the post.
Mass has 4 categories.
A: The lightest katana. Iaito will often be in this category.
B: Light to average
C: Average to heavy
D: The heaviest katana
One handed ratio (how easy/difficult it is to get the tip in motion) also has four categories.
1. The easiest to start/stop the tip.
2. More difficult to start/stop the tip
3. Even more difficult to start/stop
4. Katana requiring the most force to move the tip/rotate the sword one handed.
You look at both categories together and there you have it! This chart shows how you find what category your sword falls into.
For example, an A1 would be a light katana that one may describe as “easy to whip around”. A D4 may feel unwieldy and difficult to get moving. I personally favor a lighter sword with a good tip presence. So I’m right at home with an A4 although if I have a heavier sword like a C or D, I can’t use a 4 with one hand.
The list will be super helpful if you’re looking to buy one of the listed production katana. The custom swords listed will provide context.
THE CURRENT LIST: (parenthesis indicates who measured the katana)
A1:
Angel Sword Bright Knight Katana (1of2) (Matt Jensen)
Cheness Tenchi Ko Katana (Timo Nieminen)
Hanwei 30th Anniversary Musashi (Matt Jensen)
Nosyudo Iaito (1of2) (Jon Andresen)
Nosyudo Shinken (Jon Andresen)
A2:
Angel Sword Bright Knight Katana (2of2) (Matt Jensen)
Angel Sword L6 Katana (Matt Jensen)
Cheness Iaito (Jon Andresen)
Hanwei Orchid (Matt Jensen)
A3:
Angel Sword Dancing Demon Katana (Matt Jensen)
Citadel Lotus (Robert McCarter)
Nosyudo Iaito (2of2) (Jon Andresen)
Munetoshi Performance Cutter (Matt Jensen)
Ronin RK Budget (Robert McCarter)
A4:
Angel Sword Storm of War Avatar Katana (Matt Jensen)
Huawei Unokubi Zukuri (Timo Nieminen)
Kaneie Budo II/III (Robert McCarter)
B1:
(None yet!)
B2:
Hanwei Nobunaga (Robert McCarter)
Przemek Katana (Matt Jensen)
Ronin Dojo Pro Ko Katana #2 (Robert McCarter)
Skyjiro Kumo (Matt Jensen)
Skyjiro (Hawk 2016) 4 (Matt Jensen)
Skyjiro Taka Chigai (Robert McCarter)
B3:
Hanwei Masamune (Robert McCarter)
JKOO T10 Jensen Design (Matt Jensen)
Last Legend Yashima 3000 (Robert McCarter)
MTS #2 (Jon Andresen)
Ronin Dojo Elite (JENNIFER) (Matt Jensen)
SBG T10 Custom (Robert McCarter)
Walter Sorrells Katana (Matt Jensen)
B4:
Hanwei Bamboo Mat (Matt Jensen)
Rick Barrett W2 Higo (Jon Andresen)
Zhisword O Katana (Timo Nieminen)
C1:
Hanwei Lion Dog (Matt Jensen)
C2:
Howard Clark L6 (Jon Andresen)
C3:
Dragon King Winter Sun (Matt Jensen)
Dynasty Forge 1095 Bushi (Matt Jensen)
Hataya Kotetsu (Matt Jensen)
Howard Clark 1086 (Robert McCarter)
Minamoto Yasutake (Nihonto) (Jon Andresen)
Rick Barrett 1075 Trophy Wife (Jon Andresen)
C4:
Cheness O Katana (Timo Nieminen)
Josiah Boomershine Dotanuki (Jon Andresen)
D1:
Angel Sword O Katana (Matt Jensen)
Hanwei Oni (Matt Jensen)
D2:
(None Yet!)
D3:
Rick Barrett 1075 Ant Tachi Style (Matt Jensen)
D4:
(None Yet!)
So that is the list so far. The more we all add to it, the better it will get! Here are some links to further explains the chart and how you can contribute!
Andresen and McCarter discuss the chart:
How to use the weapon dynamics computer:
Link to weapon dynamics computer: subcaelo.net/ensis/dynamics-computer/