My theories [about swords]

[Propyro]

I have a broudsword at home and I can weild that very easily (although I do have a big build though)

I'm surprised your government hasn't banned that as well . Next up is Oreos like what is going on in California.

Anyhow, Aussie ribbing aside, I'd say the katana is a better weapon, due to its light weight, agility, and sharpness. Why are these good? The sharpness allows for some precision penetration, while the light weight can theoretically allow more control (i.e. swinging back for another stroke if you miss or mess up the first one is probably faster with a katana than with a heavy broadsword).

Of course, projection weapons rule all with me, so take my opinion with a grain of salt...

hmm projectile weapons are no strangers to me ...
*Browning BSP 20 comes to mind*
you can do lots of interesting stuff with guns, but when it gets down to doing the dirty deed to a person you absolutly despise ... nothing surpasses the satisfaction of the feeling of hacking him down with the strength of your own two hands. And if i had the opertunity i'd leave both broadsword and katana in their sheath and don my trusty Bowling ball or rusty spoon Oh yes ... bowling ball to the lowerback and knees ... for several hours straight ... sure i may throw my back but i'd have a hell of a soundtrack to go with it (the other guy screaming for me to hurry up and kill him). Or if you like you can perform surgery with a spoon, and no anasthetics(sp?). But for these weapons to work you'd have to already decapacitated your foe other wise i scarcely see how you can beat a guy with any sword using a bowling ball with out having lady lucks foot up your ass.

[kilik^]

El machete is way better.....

[Propyro]

El machete is way better.....

Machete's are quite fun ... though it's not safe to be within at least 6 feet of me when i'm using one ... since i tend to swing very quickly and with a very wide arc ... But machete's aren't really the greatest ant- personel weapon, theyre ment to hack through p[lants, nice stationary plants that won't try to rip your head off. If you hit a person, lets say in the arm, with i machete i can envision it becoming stuck in the bone and you being rather weapon less, leaving yoru assailent lots of time to stab you in the face several times with his good arm before tending his wound.

My personal favorite's when it comes to swords would be light broad swords and katanas. But if you want a really quick and elegant weapon try a Saber or a Rapier, though rapiers are uselsess if your oponent is using anything heavier then a rapier. (by the way, i'm not too fond of rapiers)

[Lyrs]

I'd rather just use a gun and blow somebodies head away.

/end

[Savia]

...really quick and elegant weapon try a Saber or a Rapier, though rapiers are uselsess if your oponent is using anything heavier then a rapier. (by the way, i'm not too fond of rapiers)

Rapiers are possibly one of the best hand-to-hand weapons ever created. Very fast and light, and with good stabbing potential. The idea is that you 'brush off' an opposing blow with the rapier blade (only if you are very good and fast, btw) so that it just misses before whipping the blade up and giving them a stab in the neck. Not for everyone, but a powerful weapon in the hands of someone who know what they're doing.

[Lyrs]

Okay..maybe a gun would be unfair, but how about an attached bayonet. Now you can stab people, twist, and pull out guts...and shoot poeple.

/end

[Egae]

Again, I see that people aretalking about the qualities of the actual weapon. I'm talking about how it builds the warrior. I also have already admitted that the samurai were better swordsmen (the broardsword was not built with elegance or style in mind).
In terms of the qualities of the weapons, however, I belive the broardsword is a better "war" weapon, for the simple reason it's simple. As previously stated, the broardsword is just a "hunk of metal", thus it's easy to produce (even if it's inferiour to the katana). It's also a simple weapon in use, thus it doesnlt need much training, and is pretty much "pick up and go" with a few words so they don' stab themselves through the foot. Simply put the broadsword is a more practical war weapon, in my view, that is.
Jebedai, martial arts isn;t in discussion right now. Yes, some Martial Artists can bust a head with their big toe, but some untrained (in "true" unarmed combat that is) Europeans in that time could smash spines. Busting through someone's head is one thing, but if you were to get punched full on by a celtic warrior in the throat, by the same token you'd be pretty shafted. Just cause those guys were strong doesnt mean they're not fast as well.

Because i've seen guys who look like brutes get their asses decimated by little "short-shits".

True, but (you can ask Savia, I'm a fairly large guy) big guys can also be good at fighting. I for one could hold my own in a fight.

[aznfs]

use two kodachi they are light and easy to use, though i like using a katana wakizashi combo though

[chaoticstormbringer]

Yes I agree that the broadsword is a better weapon of war, but katanas have been a lethal tool of war for those experienced enough to fight with. Not only is the Katana a light weapon, it is also trained using skills of accuracy, speed and vitality.

Not to go against broadswords, they are a simple weapon that can easily get the job done within a few swings. There is also the factor of speed, broadswords tend to slow down the wielder if he/she has not used it before.

However, the art of the katana was perfected in many styles, many schools were developed and after the wars where those japanese started using armor, standing on horses to shoot crossbows, it got a little bad and most of the samurai arts were lost to history.
Anyway enough of that ramble, the point is that even though a broadsword is a better weapon for the wars, it lacks skill where the katana was made for the very sole purpose of skill but not so much with wars.

Oh and a gun is not a weapon, it is a tool of destruction. A weapon would take time to use, not point and shoot. thats my oppinion anyway (shrug)

[pyro_256]

In terms of the qualities of the weapons, however, I belive the broardsword is a better "war" weapon, for the simple reason it's simple. As previously stated, the broardsword is just a "hunk of metal", thus it's easy to produce (even if it's inferiour to the katana). It's also a simple weapon in use, thus it doesnlt need much training, and is pretty much "pick up and go" with a few words so they don' stab themselves through the foot.

axes and maces were even more simple than swords. and just as effective. easier to kill someone wearing chainmail with a mace than anything else i can think of