kim

Well, I thought so, but, dang it, I was wrong, 'bout a thousand is closer.

Deputy, that Air Force knife is one tough sob. See if you can find a Lansky sharpening kit, works like a charm.



Molon Labe

Kim

Machinist

They were certainly sophisticated for the time. The sword I have is supposed to be 800 years old and has a folded blade.

44s Rock

Now, that's a knife!

sheepdog

..I have a WWII buyer/seller here in town who knows a lot about the hand-made swords...unbelievable amount of effort and pride to make one...worth reading up on...

Machinist

If money loosens up it might be fun to get it appraised by someone who could verify the age and family name under the handle. I would find that interesting.

sheepdog

...overheard the pawn shop manager tellin' a guy that they often shortened the handles to make them easier to carry...and often ruined the value because they cut the family name off...and that there's a special way to get the handle off without ruining it...

Machinist

The blades were often shortened for modern use as well. The classic Katana was a two handed weapon but modern use was as a saber and they were too long for uniform use. I have never had the handle off. When my father took it off the Japanese Major a friend of his knew how to remove the handle and read the date and family name. I don't think it has been checked since the war so it would be nice to have a more reliable assessment. It seems to be shorter than a regular sword but not as short as the normal shorter members of a set that I have seen. I don't know how much variation there was. Imagine how many times this might have been carried into the field in 800 years by the generations in that family.

sheepdog

...I've seen some with handles at least 18" long...it's definitely and art form to fight with one...

Machinist

They did not use shields so they had both hands on the sword and counted on speed and aggressive power. The Japanese fencing is called Kendo. If you get a chance to watch some it illustrates the speed and offensive nature of how they used a sword. The weapons were strong and light by the standards of the day. A Samurai trained from childhood was extremely deadly. The armor they used was light and very flexible to allow rapid movement.

http://www.methuenaikido.com/lab/2009kendo/kendo.jpg

The wooden swords they use are quite capable of crippling or killing without the padding and helmets.

sheepdog

...did they have armor that would stop one of those swung two-handed???

Machinist

The armor would deflect many slashes but not a solid swing. The metal armor used in Europe would not stop such a blow either. It was between .04" and .125" thick. The Japanese armor was bamboo, leather, and possibly some metal. It was only worn in battle and many fought with little or nothing. Protection was certainly second to mobility and speed.

Machinist

Samurai were probably used more as bodyguards where they would wear the employers livery rather than battle gear. This was a culture where assassination was a common political tool, so bodyguards took on a different perspective.

JOHNNY WACKO

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =163855576

Bountyhunter

That's an oldie, Johnny. Buy it for me and I'll tell everyone we're related.