Say it, don't spray it:

mamazuki - 2005-02-10 13:07:35
Check this one out, called a "Medieval Chopper." Good for helmet splitting. http://www.weaponmasters.com/?ID=WEAPONS&SORT=&ITEM=MR1-025

C-Dog - 2005-02-10 13:42:47
Mamazuki - the site you referred to is blocked at my office, so I'll check it out later, but I'm a little frightened that you had this link so soon after KFK's posting. Do you visit Weapon Masters often? LOL

Tracy - 2005-02-10 16:17:35
The hell a katana wouldn't be strong enough to cut off someone's head. Haven't you seen Highlander? Or Kill Bill? Seriously a katana would be great for head chopping. It's uber sharp, uber strong and has a slight curve. Plus it's relatively lightweight, making it the perfect heroine weapon. Add in the Japanese cool-factor and you're good.

bootkiller - 2005-02-10 16:19:13
Definitely can be done with a katana. Korean swordsmen were famous for leaving the heads of their enemies attached by a thin piece of skin at the nape of the neck. Don't ask me how I know this.

Ian - 2005-02-10 17:25:55
Your doctor may well be correct in terms of anatomy, but he's wrong when it comes to swordsmanship. I am a historical re-enactor of the medieval and tudor periods in english history and teach swordsmanship as well as giving lectures and demonstrations at various castles and English Heritage events. There are two separate types of sword that cut in two different ways (we're ignoring thrusting-only weapons such as rapiers and smallswords): Katanas, tulwars etc: These work by a drawing cut, in which the blade is drawn along the cut rather like slicing a tomato with a sharp kitchen knife. This relies on sharpness rather than blade-speed and requires correct technique. This need for a very sharp edge explains why a katana has such an advanced design in terms of its edge - it must have a high carbon cutting edge in order to stay sharp enough for this style of cutting. A japanese swordsman uses the way he grips the hilt of his sword as he cuts to produce this 'slicing' action. Also to be included in this group are flamberges and other wavy blades, which are often (aside from looking cool) designed to deliver superior drawing cuts, rather like the wavy serrations on a breadknife. The second type of sword covers all european cutting swords: Longswords, saxon and norman 'broadswords', falchions etc. These work more like a cleaver, the blade impacts and cuts straight through due to its speed and is not especially sharp. This means that you can grip the blade of a european longsword and use it like a staff weapon or even like a pickaxe, with both of your hands holding the blade and swinging the quillions (cross-guard) through the skull of the enemy. A blade operating on this 'cleaver' principle is not by any means ineffective, the european longsword (which is my favoured weapon) can be used to sever limbs and heads quite easily and the versatility offered by the ability to grip the blade itself is an added advantage, especially in very cramped conditions or when fighting in formation. Nor are european swords necessarily slower than a katana, the two-handed grip of a longsword, combined with the blade design, makes it extremely fast in use, which is hardly surprising seeing as it relies on speed to deliver the fatal blow. Both swords would be capable of severing the head but in different ways, the katana would require less actual impact speed, but a slicing action. The 'broadsword' would also do the job just as easily, but using a faster cut, which is exactly what it is designed to do. Sorry if that looked like a rant there, but so few people actually understand the differences properly that I thought it was worth saying. If you want a really good manual on medieval swordsmanship go for one from the period, I suggest Talhoffer's - Medieval Combat.

Kungfukitten - 2005-02-10 18:34:23
Who knew the idea of chopping off heads would cause such excitement? I agree now that a Katana could effectively chop off a head. I just couldn't find verification of it online anywhere. Another reason I switched to a broadsword in my story was my heroine broke her katana on a monster (it was a crappy demo sword anyway and not a cool Kill Bill katana). She also developed some superhero type strength so I thought she could put it to good use swinging around a bigger sword. I have a broadsword at home and my arms get tired real fast using it. It sounds like scientifically I could go with either weapon which I kind of do in the book. You guys all rock!

Sky - 2005-02-11 15:05:43
Im sky and ive just spent the last 2 weeks looking at your diary becuase i liked the banner for it. Id like to say you seem uber coolio keep up gd work. BTW can you send me details of your book sounds brill. Sky

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