[kathy]

Really, watch reclaiming the blade... No thanks, I much prefer my own brain and experiences, and the thoughts and musings of those that study European swords and swordsmanship. All of those that I have talked with have agreed that swords were generally not used against armored opponents. European plate mail was the reason for the invention of the warhammer because swords were mostly ineffective.
You clearly see that the european broad sword is much slower than the Katana! I see that the person swinging it is slower. Since swords don't swing themselves, it's impossible to say that a sword is slower. Personally, I can cut much better with a European bastard sword than I can with a katana because I can cut in both directions without having to turn the sword over first. Fun stuff!

You really should learn more about a subject in order to argue intelligently about it.