LindyBeige Videos

[Sir Brian]

This Englishman does some entertaining videos debunking some of the rampant misconceptions of medieval weaponry. In this video he rants about Katanas in a little snarky but funny way. 

[Thorsteinn]

I'm a huge fan of this man. 

[Sir James A]

I'm a huge fan of this man. 

Was going to say, I think Thorsteinn had posted this on FB a while ago.

[Sir Edward]

Hah, excellent. Yeah, he does raise a lot of good points in his videos, and I think he's on the mark with this one.

The katanas were very good swords at their best, but there were terrible examples of them too, just like anything else that might be made by imperfect humans. But in the end, they're just swords. They're not magical.

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

Cool ha ha.
G.

[Ian]

Hah, excellent. Yeah, he does raise a lot of good points in his videos, and I think he's on the mark with this one.

The katanas were very good swords at their best, but there were terrible examples of them too, just like anything else that might be made by imperfect humans. But in the end, they're just swords. They're not magical.

But I heard on the internet that a katana was one stronger than a lightsaber, and can cut through solid sheets of titanium and eats European swords for lunch with it's super enchanted mystical tamahagane steel!

[Sir James A]

Hah, excellent. Yeah, he does raise a lot of good points in his videos, and I think he's on the mark with this one.

The katanas were very good swords at their best, but there were terrible examples of them too, just like anything else that might be made by imperfect humans. But in the end, they're just swords. They're not magical.

But I heard on the internet that a katana was one stronger than a lightsaber, and can cut through solid sheets of titanium and eats European swords for lunch with it's super enchanted mystical tamahagane steel!

And tanks... don't forget tanks!

[Sir Ulrich]

I like this dude. I show his katana rant to people my age and younger all the time when I  debate with "katana plunkers" online. I honestly am tired of all the myths concerning katanas and all the misinformation among my own generation about them. In fact I told one to come over here with his katana and try to cut me while I am wearing my maille just to prove to him it wont go through, he called me nuts. Call me crazy but misinformation about katanas is one of my pet peeves. Not to mention the countless people my age who believe all maille was butted and easily cut and thrusted through. Maybe I should be an educator about medieval arms and armor considering I love to inform people of the truths and bust myths about the medieval era. I blame Hollywood and ignorance for all the misinformation and whatnot.

[Sir James A]

In fact I told one to come over here with his katana and try to cut me while I am wearing my maille just to prove to him it wont go through, he called me nuts.

That is kinda crazy. You can get bones broken through mail. And don't let them try a thrust, because it may go through. Unless you mean to slide the blade over the surface, and not take a full-on swing... in which case, carry on and keep debunking.

[Sir Ulrich]

Well I tested my old maille with thrusts with a butcher knife and several swings with a knife as well and nothing went through, plus my old gambeson was rather thick and double padded in the chest, part of the reason it was too hot, the second reason being it was poly padded. I did see some guy on ARMA test a wedge riveted hauberk with smacking it with a katana multiple times on youtube once, nothing went through, but the only issue with that is the katana is fat and could probably break some bones without a well padded gambeson, thats why i'd never test with my new one which is kinda thin.

[Sir William]

Ulrich, there's a difference between 'smacking' with a katana, and using proper technique.  With a decent sword and proper technique- you can do a lot of damage to a person, whether or not they are armored.  NOT a good idea for you to move ahead with such a 'test'- I'm sure I speak for the rest of us when I say we would strongly advise against it.

Especially with the questionable nature of some of the maille armor that's available these days- who is to say it is more protective than what was available in antiquity?  In short, it isn't worth getting injured and possibly maimed yourself to find out.

FWIW, the curve of the katana lends itself very well to cutting, better than a straight dual edged sword imho- nevermind that I prefer the Euro style sword first and foremost.  Also, contrary to popular belief, katana are quite well suited to the thrust- the thick spine and short but wicked point are nothing to be considered lightly if facing an opponent wielding one.