*POLL* European swordsman vs Japanese Samurai

[Ender]

A european with 2 curved longswords and a cut in the middle of the sword (to drastically reduce weight) would win. But they probably didn't have that sort of craftmanship back in the day nor a tempered enough metal to allow for a sizable amount of the metal in the middle being cut out and not break when struck.

 

[Michael]

I'm always curious when I read these threads about how many people responding in the thread has actually worn armor and tried sword fighting?

Michael (who has 20 years of experience at it)

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I read somewhere that Samurai wore wooden armor. When the first European armies met with oriental resistance, the wooden armor didn't stand a chance to the straight blade (cleave, thrust)and the metal (european) armor was merely scratched by the katana (slashing blade).

 

[Gurck]

If the European is French he'll just run away screaming like a little girl and blaming the US for his cowardice, thus the Japanese would win by forfeit.

*dons flame-retardant bodysuit*

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
I read somewhere that Samurai wore wooden armor. When the first European armies met with oriental resistance, the wooden armor didn't stand a chance to the straight blade (cleave, thrust)and the metal (european) armor was merely scratched by the katana (slashing blade).

I read one time that Elvis was sighted at the Six Flags in DFW.

 

[Looney]

Here's a link to the Discovery special on Samurai swords and armor i was referring to earlier... apparently you can watch the segments directly from the website.

http://www.exn.ca/Stories/2003/12/04/51.asp

 

[coalrabbit]

Does European swordsman = broad sword user? I first thought of an epee... fencing.

 

[jjones]

Lightsabers rule.

 

[Trygve]

Originally posted by: Michael
I'm always curious when I read these threads about how many people responding in the thread has actually worn armor and tried sword fighting?

Michael (who has 20 years of experience at it)

It's been a long time since I've done anything competitive. Everything in recent years has been just training and practice, or performed for film and the occasional live performance. I've never worn or fought in any really heavy full suits of armor; the heaviest I've worn only weighed 77 pounds. I'm certainly no expert, but like everybody else, I do have my own opinions on the matter and have had the good fortune to work with other swordsmen who know a great deal more than I do.

 

[konakona]

didnt the mongolian armies wipe the floor with polish knights? i realize that is horeback fighting unlike one-on-one duels on feet like OP stated, but that does prove agility/mobility > protection/power (or heavier blows)

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Hardcore
Dual/twin katanas is a Hollywood invention. Katanas were never meant to be parried with (you'll nick them if you do), so anybody who's dualwielding katanas are completely ignorant and just doing it for show. I'm not surprised you weren't impressed with them.

So, niten?ichi was a Hollywood invention? Never knew that.

 

[Knarkarplanka]

Could someone tell me what a european swordsman is?
Japanese samurai I know, but in europe there´s many countries and everyine have it´s own history with it´s on swordsmen and styles.
You´ve got these spanish(?) fellas with swords only used for pierceattacks(don´t know the name for it), or pirate style broadswords that´s curved, or vikingstyle(drink beer swing your sword like crazy and hope you come to vallhalla), or the three musketeers style(french), or medival knightstyle ect.

 

[darkamulets]

5 years of swordsmenship mainly on straight blade, long & short swords, never used full armor though just simple breastplate & gauntlets

 

[Isshinryu]

Originally posted by: Michael
I'm always curious when I read these threads about how many people responding in the thread has actually worn armor and tried sword fighting?

Michael (who has 20 years of experience at it)

I tried that whole armor + longsword deal...I'm too weak for that. Twin Main Gauches + speed has been my forte (blade-wise) for 5 years.

Oh, and Knight vs. Samurai

 

[OffTopic1]

A Samurai would beat the swordsman because Samurai spear have longer reach. However, the swordsman would win if allow to use European lances.

 

[biostud]

Samurai, I think he would be faster and though could avoid the slower broadsword.

 

[Michael]

My experience of sword and shield vs. katana is sword and shield wins the vast majority of the time. Not every time, but very often. That is with the full body as a target (my experience is in the SCA and it limits strikes to 1 inch above the knee and higher which is not what you would do in a real fight).

I've also tried having arrows fired at me while moving across a field. Basically bird blunts so they travel very fast. One archer is easy as you can see the arrow coming. I actually was able to knock most out of the air with my sword, didn't even have to rely on my shield.

Michael

 

[JulesMaximus]

Samurai are like Ninjas and Ninjas are cool; and by cool, I mean totally sweet.

 

[Isshinryu]

Originally posted by: biostud666
Samurai, I think he would be faster and though could avoid the slower broadsword.

You have no idea how fast a man who has trained with a broadsword can swing it. Even in present times, when people aren't dedicating their lives to the pursuit of perfection, people can swing a broadsword quickly and relentlessly. Combine superior strength, protection, and closely related speed...it's over.

Of course, it says European swordsmen, so we could be talking rapiers...in which case...well, blah.

 

[Aquaman]

knight vs samurai

 

[Isshinryu]

Originally posted by: Aquaman
knight vs samurai

Hmm...just a bit too slow.

 

[Judgement]

Originally posted by: Isshinryu

Originally posted by: Aquaman
knight vs samurai

Hmm...just a bit too slow.

does anyone who read all that wanna make cliffnotes?