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Post by RufusScorpius on Aug 2, 2021 19:12:02 GMT
I would say that at lower skill levels, a more likely scenario would be a double hit and both combatants running each other through. The higher the skill level, the greater the likelihood the longsword operator would be able to better utilize the vast reach advantage and exploit the better hand and forearm protection of the crossguard (the tsuba isn't too much worse though with certain side protection akin to smaller side rings). 10" extra blade length is no joke, which is why you never see people using 31"-33" blades in tournaments. When you consider the extra reach of cut and thrust weapons, you have to differentiate it with something like a spear, which only poses threat with the tip that's essentially a point that moves primarily in 1-dimensional ways, as only thrusting forward will cause damage, and repositioning the point laterally isn't too much of a worry in terms of damaging potential. 10" extra blade isn't just 10" extra reach of a dot or point, you have to think in two-dimensional way with cuts. So the extra coverage area is exponential on edged weapons like swords. This is just too much to overcome. True, at lower skill level, even if the combatants have an understanding, they wouldn't be able to effectively exploit it. I would agree, if the kat user is thinking one dimensionally. And +1 on both low skilled guys getting themselves tagged. True that the longsword has the reach advantage, that is a quantifiable data point and therefore a fact. But a smart kat user will get in close where the extra 10" becomes a liability to the longsword user. If a LS is thinking only about his reach advantage then there is a better than Vegas Odds chance he's going to have his armpit sliced open, you can ask Markus313 about that. This is an interesting match up that can't be settled just by theorizing about it. It's one of those situations where it's going to have to be experimented with. My personal experience with kat vs. LS is to say that it's an equal match given equal skill of the users. Each will try to exploit their own strengths while trying to exploit the weakness of their opponents. In mind it's more of a strategy match up more so than equipment vs. equipment. A skilled practitioner with a longsword is no joke, but don't sell the kat "short" because it's .... short... (ok, bad attempt at Austin Powers puns). I have the greatest respect for both and I would never think less of any weapon in the hands of skilled swordsman.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2021 20:20:14 GMT
I would say that at lower skill levels, a more likely scenario would be a double hit and both combatants running each other through. The higher the skill level, the greater the likelihood the longsword operator would be able to better utilize the vast reach advantage and exploit the better hand and forearm protection of the crossguard (the tsuba isn't too much worse though with certain side protection akin to smaller side rings). 10" extra blade length is no joke, which is why you never see people using 31"-33" blades in tournaments. When you consider the extra reach of cut and thrust weapons, you have to differentiate it with something like a spear, which only poses threat with the tip that's essentially a point that moves primarily in 1-dimensional ways, as only thrusting forward will cause damage, and repositioning the point laterally isn't too much of a worry in terms of damaging potential. 10" extra blade isn't just 10" extra reach of a dot or point, you have to think in two-dimensional way with cuts. So the extra coverage area is exponential on edged weapons like swords. This is just too much to overcome. True, at lower skill level, even if the combatants have an understanding, they wouldn't be able to effectively exploit it. I would agree, if the kat user is thinking one dimensionally. And +1 on both low skilled guys getting themselves tagged. True that the longsword has the reach advantage, that is a quantifiable data point and therefore a fact. But a smart kat user will get in close where the extra 10" becomes a liability to the longsword user. If a LS is thinking only about his reach advantage then there is a better than Vegas Odds chance he's going to have his armpit sliced open, you can ask Markus313 about that. This is an interesting match up that can't be settled just by theorizing about it. It's one of those situations where it's going to have to be experimented with. My personal experience with kat vs. LS is to say that it's an equal match given equal skill of the users. Each will try to exploit their own strengths while trying to exploit the weakness of their opponents. In mind it's more of a strategy match up more so than equipment vs. equipment. A skilled practitioner with a longsword is no joke, but don't sell the kat "short" because it's .... short... (ok, bad attempt at Austin Powers puns). I have the greatest respect for both and I would never think less of any weapon in the hands of skilled swordsman. Yea imma have to agree with you on this one. Katana users are typically underestimated, especially in this day and age with the rise of HEMA, forgetting the training kenjutsu and kendo guys typically go through (more so on kenjutsu). I don't see HEMA guys going through the same high intensity kenjutsu users go through in their form practice Plus, one thing sparring doesn't account for is edge binding, a feature specific to sharp swords. I still vote the long sword, as it says equal skill. But honestly, people have made do with cutlass, Messer, and all kinds of short weapons, why not katana? But then agian, if the guy with the shorter weapon is winning, is it really equal skill?
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Post by treeslicer on Aug 2, 2021 20:38:53 GMT
I would agree, if the kat user is thinking one dimensionally. And +1 on both low skilled guys getting themselves tagged. True that the longsword has the reach advantage, that is a quantifiable data point and therefore a fact. But a smart kat user will get in close where the extra 10" becomes a liability to the longsword user. If a LS is thinking only about his reach advantage then there is a better than Vegas Odds chance he's going to have his armpit sliced open, you can ask Markus313 about that. This is an interesting match up that can't be settled just by theorizing about it. It's one of those situations where it's going to have to be experimented with. My personal experience with kat vs. LS is to say that it's an equal match given equal skill of the users. Each will try to exploit their own strengths while trying to exploit the weakness of their opponents. In mind it's more of a strategy match up more so than equipment vs. equipment. A skilled practitioner with a longsword is no joke, but don't sell the kat "short" because it's .... short... (ok, bad attempt at Austin Powers puns). I have the greatest respect for both and I would never think less of any weapon in the hands of skilled swordsman. Yea imma have to agree with you on this one. Katana users are typically underestimated, especially in this day and age with the rise of HEMA, forgetting the training kenjutsu and kendo guys typically go through (more so on kenjutsu). I don't see HEMA guys going through the same high intensity kenjutsu users go through in their form practice Plus, one thing sparring doesn't account for is edge binding, a feature specific to sharp swords. I still vote the long sword, as it says equal skill. But honestly, people have made do with cutlass, Messer, and all kinds of short weapons, why not katana? But then agian, if the guy with the shorter weapon is winning, is it really equal skill? As we have seen here on certain videos, there are deflections possible with the katana which get inside, and leave the longswordsman open to being (literally!) disarmed, mortally wounded or even bisected.
It would also be interesting to see what some of the distracting moves peculiar to Jigen-ryu (e.g., the "angry granny kata") would do in this sort of contest.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2021 21:06:55 GMT
Yea imma have to agree with you on this one. Katana users are typically underestimated, especially in this day and age with the rise of HEMA, forgetting the training kenjutsu and kendo guys typically go through (more so on kenjutsu). I don't see HEMA guys going through the same high intensity kenjutsu users go through in their form practice Plus, one thing sparring doesn't account for is edge binding, a feature specific to sharp swords. I still vote the long sword, as it says equal skill. But honestly, people have made do with cutlass, Messer, and all kinds of short weapons, why not katana? But then agian, if the guy with the shorter weapon is winning, is it really equal skill? As we have seen here on certain videos, there are deflections possible with the katana which get inside, and leave the longswordsman open to being (literally!) disarmed, mortally wounded or even bisected.
It would also be interesting to see what some of the distracting moves peculiar to Jigen-ryu (e.g., the "angry granny kata") would do in this sort of contest.
Does longsword not do them too? I have no idea to be honest. In my view, it's the JSA techniques that give the katana it's ability to contend, so what you have pointed out enforced my faith in the katana user
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Post by Murffy on Aug 2, 2021 21:09:09 GMT
I would say that at lower skill levels, a more likely scenario would be a double hit and both combatants running each other through. The higher the skill level, the greater the likelihood the longsword operator would be able to better utilize the vast reach advantage and exploit the better hand and forearm protection of the crossguard (the tsuba isn't too much worse though with certain side protection akin to smaller side rings). 10" extra blade length is no joke, which is why you never see people using 31"-33" blades in tournaments. When you consider the extra reach of cut and thrust weapons, you have to differentiate it with something like a spear, which only poses threat with the tip that's essentially a point that moves primarily in 1-dimensional ways, as only thrusting forward will cause damage, and repositioning the point laterally isn't too much of a worry in terms of damaging potential. 10" extra blade isn't just 10" extra reach of a dot or point, you have to think in two-dimensional way with cuts. So the extra coverage area is exponential on edged weapons like swords. This is just too much to overcome. True, at lower skill level, even if the combatants have an understanding, they wouldn't be able to effectively exploit it. Interesting. My inexpert thought is that a thrust is the shortest, quickest route to the target - the longsworder can tag the katana-man with the tip and still be, more or less, out of range of the katana, and the big guard would provide some protection to the hands and forearm. I'm assuming at this point my reasoning is flawed but I'd be interested to know what the counter is.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Aug 2, 2021 22:29:58 GMT
Interesting. My inexpert thought is that a thrust is the shortest, quickest route to the target - the longsworder can tag the katana-man with the tip and still be, more or less, out of range of the katana, and the big guard would provide some protection to the hands and forearm. I'm assuming at this point my reasoning is flawed but I'd be interested to know what the counter is. The thrust is typically the quickest route to the target, but: - the thrust comes in through a limited range of angles, and is easily deflected unless you are out of position,
- the thrust can be deadly if it penetrates the thoracic or abdominal cavities, but lacks stopping power. The thrust is extra-useful in duels to first blood or similar, but it's unwise to depend on a thrust to the forearms stopping katana-user. Getting in closer to put that point into their chest leaves your arms in reach, and you could well trade death through infection in a few days for a double-amputation of your hands.
- A straight cruciform guard doesn't provide much protection. With side rings, it's a nice hybrid of a cruciform guard and a disc tsuba, for the combined best of both. The evolution to that kind of thing, and then more complex guards is due to the poor protection of the cruciform guard.
Katana-user knows that longsword-user has a large reach advantage. Katana will start outside longsword's reach, and longsword will need to move forward to reach katana. One possible progression for the fight is that katana moves back the first few times that longsword tries this. In response, longsword moves forward further and faster. Katana parries the initial attack while moving in rather than out, and closes, and wins. Longsword cannot depend on hitting with the first attack. Longsword must be prepared for katana to (a) parry the first attack and (b) attempt to close. For example, longsword can turn that attempted first attack into a feint as soon as katana starts to move in, or at least not move out. If the first attack was a cut, the feint can be followed with a thrust to catch katana-user closing, or vice versa. If longsword is only used to fighting against longsword with similar reach, and has never played with stopping somebody from closing, it can easily end badly for longsword.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2021 23:15:10 GMT
Another factor to consider is with a katana, it's ideal cutting portion is like the last 3/4' of the blade, all of it, from half way down the blade to the tip. Longswords, with their more flexible blade, are more picky and prefer hitting with the COP. Not that a pointy tip couldn't cut am artery or a tendon, but the same portion of a katana can take a limb off
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Post by snubnoze on Aug 2, 2021 23:45:20 GMT
Similar debate to my other hobby, Muay Thai vs Kickboxing. I look at the longsword as Muay Thai as it has a few more tools and advantages, but ultimately that doesn't guarantee victory. A Kickboxer can score a KO if he connects. Mostly it comes down to the combatant, but I prefer having more advantages which is why I prefer the longsword.
To the argument that someone with a longsword is at a disadvantage at closer ranges I think halfswording is being ignored here, something that isn't exactly a part of the katana fighting style.
Obviously context is everything in combat. If both are fully armored I'm easily taking the knight.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2021 0:02:35 GMT
Similar debate to my other hobby, Muay Thai vs Kickboxing. I look at the longsword as Muay Thai as it has a few more tools and advantages, but ultimately that doesn't guarantee victory. A Kickboxer can score a KO if he connects. Mostly it comes down to the combatant, but I prefer having more advantages which is why I prefer the longsword. To the argument that someone with a longsword is at a disadvantage at closer ranges I think halfswording is being ignored here, something that isn't exactly a part of the katana fighting style. Obviously context is everything in combat. If both are fully armored I'm easily taking the knight. Yea i agree haha. It kinda felt like that argument intentionally had to undercut the longsword to make it work tbh. Tho I imagine it was more in favour of arguing in which ways a katana is being understated
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Post by howler on Aug 3, 2021 2:34:55 GMT
Similar debate to my other hobby, Muay Thai vs Kickboxing. I look at the longsword as Muay Thai as it has a few more tools and advantages, but ultimately that doesn't guarantee victory. A Kickboxer can score a KO if he connects. Mostly it comes down to the combatant, but I prefer having more advantages which is why I prefer the longsword. To the argument that someone with a longsword is at a disadvantage at closer ranges I think halfswording is being ignored here, something that isn't exactly a part of the katana fighting style. Obviously context is everything in combat. If both are fully armored I'm easily taking the knight. Yea i agree haha. It kinda felt like that argument intentionally had to undercut the longsword to make it work tbh. Tho I imagine it was more in favour of arguing in which ways a katana is being understated As snubnoze viewed the Longsword "having a few more tools and advantages", I think that phrase is best context, not saying the longsword guy would beat the katana guy or anything.
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Post by Murffy on Aug 3, 2021 2:38:18 GMT
Interesting. My inexpert thought is that a thrust is the shortest, quickest route to the target - the longsworder can tag the katana-man with the tip and still be, more or less, out of range of the katana, and the big guard would provide some protection to the hands and forearm. I'm assuming at this point my reasoning is flawed but I'd be interested to know what the counter is. The thrust is typically the quickest route to the target, but: - the thrust comes in through a limited range of angles, and is easily deflected unless you are out of position,
- the thrust can be deadly if it penetrates the thoracic or abdominal cavities, but lacks stopping power. The thrust is extra-useful in duels to first blood or similar, but it's unwise to depend on a thrust to the forearms stopping katana-user. Getting in closer to put that point into their chest leaves your arms in reach, and you could well trade death through infection in a few days for a double-amputation of your hands.
- A straight cruciform guard doesn't provide much protection. With side rings, it's a nice hybrid of a cruciform guard and a disc tsuba, for the combined best of both. The evolution to that kind of thing, and then more complex guards is due to the poor protection of the cruciform guard.
Katana-user knows that longsword-user has a large reach advantage. Katana will start outside longsword's reach, and longsword will need to move forward to reach katana. One possible progression for the fight is that katana moves back the first few times that longsword tries this. In response, longsword moves forward further and faster. Katana parries the initial attack while moving in rather than out, and closes, and wins. Longsword cannot depend on hitting with the first attack. Longsword must be prepared for katana to (a) parry the first attack and (b) attempt to close. For example, longsword can turn that attempted first attack into a feint as soon as katana starts to move in, or at least not move out. If the first attack was a cut, the feint can be followed with a thrust to catch katana-user closing, or vice versa. If longsword is only used to fighting against longsword with similar reach, and has never played with stopping somebody from closing, it can easily end badly for longsword. Nice response. I appreciate it.
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Post by Kane Shen on Aug 3, 2021 2:41:23 GMT
Another factor to consider is with a katana, it's ideal cutting portion is like the last 3/4' of the blade, all of it, from half way down the blade to the tip. Longswords, with their more flexible blade, are more picky and prefer hitting with the COP. Not that a pointy tip couldn't cut am artery or a tendon, but the same portion of a katana can take a limb off That's true. But remember if this is unarmored dueling where your face, neck and more importantly hands are unprotected, you don't really need cutting power that can cleaving a torso in two. Fight-ending attacks can be made with very little commitment. Missing three fingers of the sword hand basically spells the end of one combatant. That doesn't require a cutting from the point of percussion on the longsword that can cleave a triple-tatami cleanly in half. =)
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Post by Kane Shen on Aug 3, 2021 2:54:00 GMT
About the argument that there can be plans trying to void the reach advantage for the katana user, obviously he will have to come up with a plan, doesn't mean it's executable in a real fight. Above certain skill level, the longsword operator is so aware of this massive advantage--it's not a couple of inches guys, it's 9-12", and when we are talking about cutting's area coverage, take the square of it so it's 81-144 square inches of extra coverage. Unless it's in a confined space, or the longsword user is back up against a wall, I just don't see it happening. Otherwise, everybody would simply show up at tournaments (fought among people with similar skills) with 28" blades.
Also, longswords don't have a disadvantage at close range compared to katana. It's just less of an advantage. The fact that you can go half swording, or use quillon to strike your opponent in the face, or pommel them, and the longblade with a long cross to assist with wrestling also spell trouble for the katana user. It's more of a toss-up at close-range, of course, but the katana never has any advantage over longsword in any circumstances, really.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2021 3:45:25 GMT
Damn, I'm too easily convinced of everything. You guys make excellent points and now I find myself agreeing.
It seems ideal to remain neutral sometimes
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Post by durinnmcfurren on Aug 4, 2021 0:00:46 GMT
I'm kind of crossposting this from another thread, but I think it is relevant:
Something I think people miss in the 'longsword vs katana' discussions that come up repeatedly: the katana's blade geometry makes it EASIER to cut with than a longsword. That doesn't make it a better sword, but it does mean that it's a lot easier for a beginner to grab a katana and make a good cut with it!
However, again, that does not make it a more effective weapon of war. I think it might be part of where the mystique of the katana comes from, however.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Aug 4, 2021 2:05:34 GMT
I'm kind of crossposting this from another thread, but I think it is relevant: Something I think people miss in the 'longsword vs katana' discussions that come up repeatedly: the katana's blade geometry makes it EASIER to cut with than a longsword. That doesn't make it a better sword, but it does mean that it's a lot easier for a beginner to grab a katana and make a good cut with it! However, again, that does not make it a more effective weapon of war. I think it might be part of where the mystique of the katana comes from, however. I'm not convinced that is any kind of competitive advantage in an actual fight. Cutting tatami, yes, but in a duel, no. The debate is whether or not either combatant can manage to land a strike. In that event, there is no functional difference between the cutting ability of a kat or LS, either one will do the job nicely. In my mind it's a game of strategy and tactics over who can more effectively use their weapon.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2021 2:51:06 GMT
The tip of a longer sword travels further in a radius than the shorter sword. Hence more effort to get the tip in the same time (amount of force required) Swinging a sword is an easier motion than the thrust. Silver's longsword had a blade length the same as a one handed sword. "there is no fight perfect without both blow and thrust" (1599) Of striking and thrusting both together. 7
It is strongly held by many, that if in a fight they find their enemy to have more skill than themselves, they presently will continually strike & thrust just with him, whereby they will make their fight as good as his, and thereby have as good advantage as the other with all his skill. But if their swords be longer than the other, then their advantage is great. For it is certain (say they) that an inch will kill a man. But if their swords be much longer than the other, then their advantage is so great, that they will be sure by striking and thrusting just with the other, that they will always hurt him that has the short sword, and go clear themselves, because they will reach him, when he shall not reach them. These men speak like such as talk of Robin Hood, that never shot with his bow, for to strike or thrust just together with a man of skill, lies not in the will of the ignorant, because a skillful man always fights upon the true times, by which the unskillful is still disappointed of both place and time, and therefore driven of necessity still to watch the other, when & what he will do. That is, whether he will strike, thrust, or false. If the unskillful strike or thrust in the time of falsing, therein he neither strikes or thrusts just with the other. He may say, he has struck or thrust before him, but not just with him, not to any good purpose. For in the time of falsing, if he strikes or thrusts, he strikes or thrusts too short. For in that time he has neither time nor place to strike home, and as it is said, the unskillful man, that will take upon him to strike or thrust just with the skillful, must first behold what the man of skill will do, and when he will do it, and therefore of necessity is driven to suffer the skillful man to be the first mover, and entered into his action, whether it is blow or thrust. The truth of this cannot be denied. Now judge whether it is possible for an unskillful man to strike or thrust just together with a man of skill. But the skillful man can most certainly strike and thrust just with the unskillful, because the unskillful fights upon false times, which being too long to answer the true times, the skillful fighting upon the true times, although the unskillful is the first mover, & entered into his action, whether it is blow or thrust, yet the shortness of the true times make at the pleasure of the skillful a just meeting together. In the perfect fight two never strike or thrust together, because they never suffer place nor time to perform it.
Two unskillful men many times by chance strike or thrust together, chance unto them, because they know not what they do, or how it comes to pass. But the reasons or causes are these. Sometimes two false times meet & make a just time together, & sometimes a true time and a false time meet and make a just time together, and sometimes two true times meet and make a just time together. And all this happens because the true time and place is unknown unto them.www.pbm.com/~lindahl/paradoxes.htmlThere are some good quips from Stephen Hand regarding dagger vs a polearm but I'm too lazy to shag the thread again. This discussion one of several over the years here. stephen-hand.selz.com/Getting inside and deflecting or controlling the tip of the other means one with a dagger could get inside the guard of someone with the longer weapon, or even a staff. Control the lever, even when both are unarmed. Cheers GC
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2021 3:04:03 GMT
The tip of a longer sword travels further in a radius than the shorter sword. Hence more effort to get the tip in the same time (amount of force required) Swinging a sword is an easier motion than the thrust. Silver's longsword had a blade length the same as a one handed sword. "there is no fight perfect without both blow and thrust" (1599) Of striking and thrusting both together. 7
It is strongly held by many, that if in a fight they find their enemy to have more skill than themselves, they presently will continually strike & thrust just with him, whereby they will make their fight as good as his, and thereby have as good advantage as the other with all his skill. But if their swords be longer than the other, then their advantage is great. For it is certain (say they) that an inch will kill a man. But if their swords be much longer than the other, then their advantage is so great, that they will be sure by striking and thrusting just with the other, that they will always hurt him that has the short sword, and go clear themselves, because they will reach him, when he shall not reach them. These men speak like such as talk of Robin Hood, that never shot with his bow, for to strike or thrust just together with a man of skill, lies not in the will of the ignorant, because a skillful man always fights upon the true times, by which the unskillful is still disappointed of both place and time, and therefore driven of necessity still to watch the other, when & what he will do. That is, whether he will strike, thrust, or false. If the unskillful strike or thrust in the time of falsing, therein he neither strikes or thrusts just with the other. He may say, he has struck or thrust before him, but not just with him, not to any good purpose. For in the time of falsing, if he strikes or thrusts, he strikes or thrusts too short. For in that time he has neither time nor place to strike home, and as it is said, the unskillful man, that will take upon him to strike or thrust just with the skillful, must first behold what the man of skill will do, and when he will do it, and therefore of necessity is driven to suffer the skillful man to be the first mover, and entered into his action, whether it is blow or thrust. The truth of this cannot be denied. Now judge whether it is possible for an unskillful man to strike or thrust just together with a man of skill. But the skillful man can most certainly strike and thrust just with the unskillful, because the unskillful fights upon false times, which being too long to answer the true times, the skillful fighting upon the true times, although the unskillful is the first mover, & entered into his action, whether it is blow or thrust, yet the shortness of the true times make at the pleasure of the skillful a just meeting together. In the perfect fight two never strike or thrust together, because they never suffer place nor time to perform it.
Two unskillful men many times by chance strike or thrust together, chance unto them, because they know not what they do, or how it comes to pass. But the reasons or causes are these. Sometimes two false times meet & make a just time together, & sometimes a true time and a false time meet and make a just time together, and sometimes two true times meet and make a just time together. And all this happens because the true time and place is unknown unto them.www.pbm.com/~lindahl/paradoxes.htmlThere are some good quips from Stephen Hand regarding dagger vs a polearm but I'm too lazy to shag the thread again. This discussion one of several over the years here. stephen-hand.selz.com/Getting inside and deflecting or controlling the tip of the other means one with a dagger could get inside the guard of someone with the longer weapon, or even a staff. Control the lever, even when both are unarmed. Cheers GC Good read, thanks for sharing. If silver says it, good enough for me
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Post by Kane Shen on Aug 4, 2021 19:31:10 GMT
Yes, when thrusting is mentioned, lots of people envision a one-dimensional motion of a spear style thrust. In most sword fencing context, thrusts are done from a cut. The cut can displace your opponent's attack and take them offline from the direction you are moving into from the said cut, and the cut ends in a thrusting motion, so it's an offense and defense in one move.
Another misconception about katana is it's easier to use than longswords for beginners, which is false. It requires less skill cut through a static triple tatami mat perhaps, it's not easier to fence with in a life and death 1-1 duel than longswords.
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Post by Kane Shen on Aug 4, 2021 19:46:57 GMT
Also, about the possibility that someone with a katana can deflect a cut from the longsword and score the hit. I'm not dismissing its possibility, it's just highly unlikely. Again, we are once back to the argument of "oh it all depends on the skills of the swordsmen, not the swords". We are taking the hypothetical scenario that the skills of both swordsmen are equal, we are not imagining what Musashi Miyamoto can do to defeat a comatose brain cancer patient. Your opponent is a highly experienced and skilled swordsman who can adapt and exploit the advantage of his sword, by utilizing the versatility of the longsword--did someone mention the bigger toolkit before. When you have a massive advantage of the weapon, and you have more tools to maximize the said advantage, it's very very difficult to overcome.
Some weapons DO have a big advantage over others, it's a fact. Rapier has a huge advantage over cutlass in a open 1-1 unarmored sword fight, which doesn't mean cutlass will lose 100 out of 100 times, but the odds are strongly favoring the former. We are also not comparing fencing styles, not pitting JMA against HEMA, not to mention that Kenjutsu practitioners fight with a katana against someone with a katana. They don't practice a lot of using an average katana against much longer and different swords. It's not disrespecting Kenjutsu practitioners.
A more fair fight would be an average katana vs an average arming sword (maybe a type XVI), that would be a more fair and interest face-off.
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