Made of harder steel, the Katana flexes less than a Longsword and can hold a sharper edge, allowing more force to be applied consistently across a smaller surface area. Defensive capacity, however, is where the longsword gains its edge. In order to be able to answer that question, we need to assess the discernable factors which are present in any blade. Your one handed thruster? On wikipedia it says 60cm-80cm for blade length, whereas a longsword was usually 90-100 cm in blade length. As he hit the ground, a little dazed, he saw a man approaching quickly, holding a kanab (steel club). The longsword is big and clunky, and is hard to use in close quarters. Although the longsword is more powerful and has greater damage potential, it is also more difficult to hold, and thus maneuverability can be an issue. The Katana is a Japanese longsword that is designed for close combat situations, while the Longsword is a European sword that is better suited for thrusting attacks from a distance. The Longsword, on the other hand, has a longer and straighter blade, which makes it better suited for thrusting attacks from a distance. But that's what homebrew is about. link to How To Hold a Katana Like a Real Pro (In 4 Easy Steps). On the other hand,the 14th century saw the emergence of the longsword in Europe as a military steel weapon. The Longsword, on the other hand, can be held with one or two hands, and the grip can be adjusted depending on the situation. Additionally, both swords are often decorated with ornate designs and patterns, which are used to showcase the skill of the swordsmith who created the weapon. But even then, i don't see how this matters if the Longsword user can just easily Zwerch-copter with the double edge. Depending on the time period, the pommel designs vary, featuring a multitude of designs such as spherical, fishtail, pear, and wheel pommels. As the line of cavalry reached him, he felt the pike bend as it absorbed the weight of the horse driven onto it. It typically has a curved blade that is between 24-28 inches long and a handle that is between 10-14 inches long. It weighed about 1.1-1.3 kg (2.4 - 2.8 lbs) and its blade length was approximately 60-73 cm (23 58 - 28 34 inches). They were straight, double-edged swords and were practically indistinguishable from their Chinese counterparts. The Longsword was a versatile weapon that could be used for both cutting and thrusting and was often used in hand-to-hand combat. Both of the swords feature unique and interesting characteristics that categorize the blades as part of historical weapons, and some of these attributes include their specific weight, length, shape, as well as their blade geometry, point, edge, and hilt configuration. This was done in order to maintain a high standard of quality and ensure that only the best swords were produced. Explore. These are specifically what makes a katana, a katana. The wakizashi is a short sword, serving as a more "indoor" sword. The Katana is a Japanese sword that was used by Samurai warriors, while the Longsword is a European sword that was used by knights during the Middle Ages. If you want to have a finesse katana for your anime fantasy, reskin yourself a scimitar and have at it. The tanto is basically a dagger as a backup or when in very tight spaces. It was used as a military weapon until the end of the Edo period, in 1868. This means that the longsword is slightly longer and heavier than the katana. This time period also witnessed the introduction of new types of swords, such as the smallsword and the rapier which were lighter and faster than the longsword. Ive been a sword enthusiast all my life and I consider it a serious hobby of mine. We have updated our privacy policy. In the legends, ninjatos were used by ninja as an additional stealth weapon. So the better question is, which is the best sword, the katana or the longsword?What are each design's strengths and weakness, and just how different are they even really? https://discord.gg/4TJ2QRPInstagram: cerberusarmzhttps://twitter.com/cerberusarms To get the speed, momentum and force needed to use the sword properly requires some strength in your muscles. Therefore, its safe to say that both of these battle-ready swords were quite resilient in their own right. Ryota quickly struck again, a killing blow, and the man crumpled before him. I'm reminded how Barbed sword was a fraction of the power of Elden Ring Katana memes, and people pissed their pants over that in DS3. Compare a Katana to a Longsword after the patch, it's clear longsword (a far rarer weapon) is vastly inferior. :D06:45 - 07:22 Romanticization of European swords07:22 - 09:38 Longsword advantage: reach (? I personally for a rogue, would think 1d8 slashing, 1d6 Piercing finesse. The Katana's curved blade is designed to increase the cutting power of the sword, making it more effective in close combat situations. I am going to change my 5* mastery to either Katanas or Longswords in EEkeeper tonight. Swordsmiths were required to report to the government and abide by strict regulations regarding the quality and craftsmanship of their sword. Swordecyclopedia 2022 - All Rights Reserved, Anthony J. Bryant and Angus McBride (1994), Study of the Destructive Capabilities of the, https://ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2002/jwmaart_cvet_0102.htm, Modern Swords: Their Use in Military, Martial Arts, and Films, Parts of a Sword and Their Anatomy Explained, Swords of the World: A List of 181 Types from Every Corner of the Globe, Chinese Tang Dynasty Swords: The Envy of East Asia, Tang Dynasty: The Rise, The Height, The Demise, Popular Metal Sword Types and Their Qualities, Delivering strong cutting and cleaving blows, Performing quick, precise, and unpredictable thrusts, Curved single-edged blade that was relatively short for a two handed sword, Long, straight double-edged blade balanced around the tip of the sword for optimal thrusting power, Exceptional at cutting in one direction, best when used offensively. The Samurai is the most powerful military caste who is famous to wield a sword. *Historically there have never been specific swords known as either a Shortsword or a Scimitar specifically. - Charles de Gaulle. When it comes to the katana vs longsword, both were considered as established thrust and cut weapons and are both efficient for slicing, slashing, as well as stabbing moves; also, these weapons make use of defensive and counter-striking displacements and each of the swords made use of a specific style of swordsmanship that was exhibited through proper control of timing and distance. The Truth Ain't so Sad! Its undeniable though that when it comes to speed, the katana is the superior of the two weapons. The katana is typically wielded with one hand, although some techniques involve using both hands for extra power. But the katana (not even the Nodachi) is compared to 2 hand slot weapons and can stand it's ground. I am wondering what most people think what is better. Furthermore, it excelled in its purpose: serving as a backup . Jan 27, 2018 - Every video I have watched that tries to compare the Japanese Katana to Medieval European Longsword miss the most significant thing to consider. The mounting for both swords can be separated into 3 parts: the guard, the hilt, and the pommel. https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/general-discussion/9988-1d8-damage-versatile-with-finesse, See My Youtube Videos for Tips & Tricks using D&D Beyond, https://www.swordsofnorthshire.com/ninjato. Wakizashi would fall under the umbrella category of scimitars.*. It could give you the chance for high level of versatility in the battlefield because it had a double edge. How do I care for my sword? However, they would fall under the umbrella category of shortswords,* If Shinobi did carry a smaller, shorter blade even remotely similar to that, it was likely either a Tant or a Wakizashi, the same shorter swords that Samurai paired with their Katana as part of their Daish. The longsword and the katana are two of the most iconic and recognizable weapons in the world. The crossguard of the longsword on its own offered the same advantages as the katanas tsuba. Additionally, when these weapons are wielded correctly, both swords possess a specific core of gravity as well as inherent balance. During this time the popularity of the longsword began to wane as firearms and gunpowder started becoming more common on the battlefield. However, as military strategies changed and the mounted cavalry tactics were abandoned for infantry tactics, the tachis greater length proved to be a hindrance in close-quarters combat as it was difficult to maneuver. The longsword, on the other hand, is generally between 45 and 50 inches long and weighs between 3 and 4 pounds. Everyone loves the Katana, very popular in mainstream culture, but the European longsword was the height of sword technology, cross guard, better steel etc etc. In conclusion, the Katana and Longsword are two iconic swords that played an important role in the history of their respective cultures. The longsword has a longer range than the katana, but the katana is much faster. I love learning everything I canabout the arms racefrom the Bronze Age through the Renaissance. They are not. When looking at both swords, the most obvious distinction can be seen in the design of the blade. If the Ninjat is too long to be a dagger, but not big enough to be a rapier or Longsword. But thats not what you want to hear. Thank you, you as well. Privacy Policy. The katana was a sword used by the samurai in Japan. The Katana is a single-edged weapon, while the Longsword is double-edged. The best sword-wielders of Japan are the Samurai. With the implementation of full body armor for the knight class, warriors demanded a superior weapon that could penetrate through an opponents defense. Warfare was vital in ancient India, especially for the Maharajahs, emperors, and kings. On the other hand, the spring steel blade of the longsword allowed it to endure abuse and fatigue over long periods. The samurai warriors relied on their tachi, the katanas predecessor which featured a much longer high-carbon steel blade designed to strike down opponents from horseback. The same goes for the swords durability to withstand these blows. The longsword has been utilized since the ancient times where fencers during the mid-sixteenth century displayed that straight weapons were able to execute quicker thrusts in a more deceptive manner compared to semi-curved or curved blades. A katana, a killing blow, and the pommel need to assess the discernable which! 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