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**TravelMan** · 01-12-2006, 07:00 AM

Trying to compare samurai to knights is like comparing apples to bathtubs....they are just too different. Who would win in a dual? As with any dual (samurai vs samurai, knight vs knight, or samurai vs knight) the respective skill of those involved will decide the out come. How a sword is used does not take away from its efficacy. Also, don't assume that all western swords were blunt, blugeoning objects. There were some exceptional swords made throughout europe. Why we don't see many of them is that your average soldier would buy something cheeper, and readily available.

The main problem in comparing japanese swords to european is simple, in europe you could get either a good/expensive sword, or a cheaper one; in japan you could get a good/expensive sword, or have none at all.
If you want a good comparison, use unarmoured opponents, with simmilar weapons (katana vs sabre). At least then you have a starting point, but it still all comes down to the relative skill of the participants.

01-12-2006, 07:00 AM	#10
TravelMan Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 421 Senior Member	Trying to compare samurai to knights is like comparing apples to bathtubs....they are just too different. Who would win in a dual? As with any dual (samurai vs samurai, knight vs knight, or samurai vs knight) the respective skill of those involved will decide the out come. How a sword is used does not take away from its efficacy. Also, don't assume that all western swords were blunt, blugeoning objects. There were some exceptional swords made throughout europe. Why we don't see many of them is that your average soldier would buy something cheeper, and readily available. The main problem in comparing japanese swords to european is simple, in europe you could get either a good/expensive sword, or a cheaper one; in japan you could get a good/expensive sword, or have none at all. If you want a good comparison, use unarmoured opponents, with simmilar weapons (katana vs sabre). At least then you have a starting point, but it still all comes down to the relative skill of the participants.
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