Wortenia Senki - Vol. 6 Ch. 27 - The Leader to the North

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@SunSun I feel a bit annoying that every manga just overpraises katana when it is scientifically not true. A katana is as heavy as a long sword, with the center of mass tilts toward the blade more than a long sword, thus it is not really lighter than your average European sword. In fact, it excels more in heavy slash (as the blade is heavier), while less wieldy (long sword has longer hilt with huge pommel as counter weight, so you will find a long sword more maneuverable than a katana). The curvature of the blade is also not enough to increase the slashing damage (compare to real curved swords like a shamshir), while having a curved blade means its piercing power is weaker than a straight sword. The forging technique is sophisticated but it is because traditional Japanese smelting sucks, thus Japanese steel contains a lot of impurities and requires a better forging technique to overcome such problem.
 
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@_hng_
long sword has longer hilt with huge pommel as counter weight
The balance isn't due to the pommel. It's with the construction of the blade itself. The katana has uniform thickness all along the blade because its specific construction is needed to compensate the weakness of the metal. European swords taper towards the tip, and so are actually longer for the same weight. The pommel is there for a specific grip (for one-handed swords like the Viking swords) or as a weapon in itself (to end them rightly).

The curvature of the blade is also not enough to increase the slashing damage
According to some enthusiast who has done simple practical tests, the slight curvature facilitates in edge alignment through the swing. The blade tends to be more weighty at the blade, so even with poor skill of the weilder, the blade would be more likely to hit perpendicular to the target surface.

@SunSun
imma assume that since gramps had fought his way back from this world before these are actually magic katana
or probably just words of encouragement
 
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@jonsmth I said that the longer hilt with huge pommel, though. The pommel does act as a counter weight since it is quite big. Typical long sword blade is also shorter than a katana blade, so it is easier to wield a long sword than a katana.

On the other hand, the curvature of the katana is the result of the forging techniques, not intentional. The main selling point is the heavier blade (due to longer blade length, shorter hilt and absence of pommel) so inexperienced wielder might find it easier to chop. On the other hand, to inflict a better slash wound, a radical curved blade like that of the shamshir would leave a longer wound. The curved blade makes a katana harder to thrust as well, since your thrusting force from your arm is not aligned with the tip.

I am not a sword enthusiast to speak of experience with swordwielding though, but I think Shadiversity had already explained it fully.
 
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@_hng_
A nihonto can also have varied hilt lengths. The actual weight of the hilt of either a Japanese sword or a European sword is negligible when it comes to balance in handling, because the weight of the hilt is entirely in your hands (no leverage from it acting as a simple lever). Only when you get to polearm length that they might become significant (it usually won't, because you'd still want to hold the shaft at the very end). The pommel of a normal battle sword isn't large at all. You actually want to be able to grip the two-handed sword at the pommel with your non-dominant hand. Only swords specialized for mordhau would have significantly bigger and heavier pommels (basically two-handed maces with a blade for a handle). The Viking sword has a large pommel too, but it's meant for supporting a particular grip - it's meant to be placed at the heel of the palm.

The main selling point is the heavier blade
It's only as heavy as a European longsword. If you're looking for something that can actually chop, look for a falchion or an axe. A katana isn't meant for that. While the curvature is a result of forging techniques, it's also a desired shape. For one, it helps with unsheathing as it's meant to be a sidearm. The predecessors of the katana were much more curved, which are better suited for the warrior class who were usually mounted (horse archers basically). Curvature of the sword helped in quick cutting - meaning you cut and the blade would be less likely to get stuck - important for fighting while on a horse. Not saying that the katana is a decent cavalry sword. It's really just a sidearm.

but I think Shadiversity had already explained it fully
Shadiversity himself said that the katana facilitates edge alignment
 
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The question here is, will he follow through as a man or cock block himself?
 
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@_hng_
The pommels aren't a counterweight, because they're more often than not hollow. The balance of a European sword comes from the tapering of the blade in both of its dimensions. The weight of a pommel is absolutely negligible, they're usually there for the ergonomics and to assist the edge alignment. Also, you're completely wrong about longsword blades being shorter than katanas. Sure, you have things like nodachis, but they're in the weight class of zweihanders, not longswords. A typical katana that a samurai might have worn on him in civilian life was much shorter than a longsword. Bah, they'd usually be a bit shorter than a European arming sword.
 
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@Belkin If he's a real MC, then he'll cock block himself. MCs need to stay virgins else they just become parodies of MCs.
 
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Does anyone know where this chapter takes place in the light novel? I can only see them go up to volume 5.
 
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always funny to see people crying because ' katana opness scientifically not true' aaaah thx and people being summoned in another world is scientifically true?
 

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