Warning: Though what I am about to say is actually true, it is said in a tongue in cheek manner with smiley faces all around!
Striderteen said, “But the longsword does it through sheer hitting power..."
FALSE! Though a straight blade certainly cuts in a different manner than a curved blade it still cuts. Medieval swords were not dull, heavy, crowbar-like objects.
Striderteen said, “the katana does it by mixing highly advanced metallurgical technology with hitting power" (as opposed to the longsword)
FALSE! Though quality could vary with medieval swords (as it could with Japanese swords as well), a well-made medieval sword was not metallurgically inferior to a Japanese sword. In fact, the intense forging and folding process that Katana underwent was actually done to overcome the inferior Japanese steel which was full of impurities. In Europe they were able to find better iron/steel to start with, which made such folding unnecessary.
Striderteen then said, “Therefore, the katana is (A) cooler, and (B) more artistic. It doesn't just bisect, it bisects...with style."
A. FALSE! Everyone who knows anything about medieval swords knows they are way, way cooler than the over-hyped katana. Heh, heh.
B. FALSE! Medieval martial arts were (are) just that… martial arts. They utilize advanced techniques and skill. The myth of medieval combat being nothing more than hack and slash is… (You guessed it!)… FALSE!
Regards,
Matt Wallis
PS. Of course Kat’s are fine weapons and Japanese martial arts can be highly effective. I just want everyone to know that the same can be said of medieval weapons and arts.
M