AHF Longsword vs Katana sparring - Gareth vs Michael

[@CheapSushi]

After watching a bunch of these videos, I've got to see, in a strange way, there's something cool about ninjas/samurais/knights/etc wearing Adidas into combat.

[@jonichiban]

All day I dream about swords

[@Strategiusz]

go go longsword, kick those japanese katana asses! XD

[@dddd489]

I'm really sick of this anti katana nonsense they are both good swords.

[@Strategiusz]

D&D D&D yes, katana is good as a symbol, longsword is good as a symbol and as a weapon

[@dddd489]

Symbol....?

[@Nikos3000]

D&D D&D Sick of anti Katana rhetoric? Pretty much every other sword has been experiencing the equivalent for the last few decades, due to a fanatical Katana cult. You will not see any anti-Katana nonsense with us. You can see the Katana both winning and losing fights throughout our videos. Yes it is a good weapon, and has it's uses, advantages and disadvantages, like all other sword types.

[@dddd489]

yes I know I just wanted to point that out as well because they are both very good and the ability to adapt to the moves is seen very well here in both weapons and these fighters are very respectful of the weapon and style of fighting they are doing and have lots of potencial even more. And yes the katana cult does annoy me it's reason why there has been so many arguments that have gotten out of hand in the world of martial arts. Swords suit different swordsman just like bows and arrows suit different archers. The thing is that I don't quite get is how did the katana fan base become so full of selves was the katana really doing well in fights or was it just a way to make fun of the west because the katana was able to be used effectively against western swords and then they started boasting because they were beating western martial artists??

[@AVGyerra22]

Awesome fight lads! Both of these men are truely skilled though the longsword still has reach advantages in some points of the fight but it was still awesome!

[@miiibr]

Josh :I Aye

[@kalskiratta8633]

Tbh with the forging method used on a katana fighting like this would destroy a real blade so the longsword always win out in a fight longer that a few strokes. Any fight longer than 1 stroke would lead to a need for repairs on the katana.

[@SamurayinYolu]

katana made it strongest material bro @@kalskiratta8633

[@heavykyio]

OMG THE BLOCK AT 0:46 WAS SO SMOOTH.

[@VG.Prints]

yeah, but then the katana guy missed an opening on the other guy and got smashed in the head

[@JBlackjackp]

it also would have ruined the katana

[@matthewpham9525]

Blackjack The katana would be fine, it’s steel not glass play dough.

[@ghostdude45]

@@matthewpham9525 the katana may have broken if the longsword was specifically made to be a heavier, not-so-slashy blade.

[@twoduncan]

I feel like Gareth in this fight has a large advantage in just being bigger, with the longer reach that brings. That isn't always true but it seems to be quite advantageous in this fight.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+twoduncan The height difference is marginal here. Michael using the longsword is slightly taller, but only by an inch, two at the most. Height is not as much an advantage as people think. Mike's advantage here was with a longer blade, and more experience and skill over his student.

[@ravbright]

+twoduncan - I think the height difference adds to the historical difference between the japanese and europeans. It's a good match up.

[@chash.4284]

*Wenn ich sieht ein Langschwert* “Deutsche Qualität”

[@jaredjones6570]

I think the main problem here is that the katana wielder already has his blade outstretched which makes it difficult for him to initiate any strike quickly, except possibly a lunge. With a shorter blade, you need to close in on the opponent. Good form is essential for defense, but your footwork needs to move forward at times so you can circle your opponent. If you give up too much ground, tell your enemy where you're guarding, and give up the speed advantage of the katana... You're bound to lose the fight.

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

To be fair, holding the sword out with arms fully extended is what Liechtenauer, one of the most famous Longsword master, considered the best and noblest guard because every single cuts and thrust you throw out will have to go through that guard. If your attack does not travel through Langort then your cut is short and rubbish, unless you're defending by cutting straight to Upper and Under Hanging. There's no shorter distance between you and your opponent when you stand in Langort. But of course, holding it out all the time will basically makes you predictable and easy to read, just like any other guards

[@Narlithstern]

i dont remember seeing gareth before, hes quite good

[@OnceTwise]

Katana guy is slipping everywhere 😂

[@banthablasterprime1111]

The problem with padding is that you do not learn to fear the pain and so you may not try to avoid the coming katana slash since it's all just training and cannot bruise you.

[@Nikos3000]

We do not wear enough padding that it removes all impacts. You can still easily bruise from strikes. The main reason for the jackets is to protect against the tips of broken blades, and the burrs in steel weapons. If you don't wear the protection, then there is a lot of technique missing that can never be practiced, for it is too dangerous for your training partner.

[@Maciliachris]

HEMA Instructor Nick Thomas True, but on the other hand our ancestors did train without protections. Now, it has to be considered that they did surely accept much worse injuries as our modern insurances will do. And that our forefathers hadn't protections available is not necessarily a reason we should not take benefit of it. But what I'm seeing more and more in HEMA is that it becomes like Kendo, where people try to make suicidal attacks to have a sportive victory, instead of protecting their lives like in reality. I think there's no real way of getting around the protections, but in my humble opinion it might be that you think a little too highly of it without considering that overprotective behavior has drawbacks too.

[@Nikos3000]

Railriderchris Actually it is something we consider and discuss constantly. It is one of the reasons that it can be so difficult, sometimes impossible, to make a competition that is realistic. That is the reason Kendo and Sport Fencing have evolved into something so different. Certainly when training without the protective gear they did accept far greater injuries. But they also frequently introduced rules for safety that also would make much of their training different to a real fight. Such as no thrusts, no striking the legs etc. All common rules in historical practice and prize fighting. Every kind of practice is a compromise and every single method is different to actually fighting with sharps, in anger, in the right kit. The only thing we can do is constantly consider the damage strikes might do, the risks we might take, and try and introduce that in to our training. Other things that can be done are reducing armour with safer training weapons that still hurt. So using synthetic weapons with just the very least of protection required for safety, which would be gloves, elbow guards and mask. Or using hard core padded weapon with nothing at all. This exercise alone teaches people to protect their head more than ever before. Lastly, protections of our forefathers. Most of what we train is renaissance through to 19th century. Fencing doublets and thickly padded protections were becoming common in the renaissance. As well as the introduction of fencing masks. By the 19th century, protection for sabre and bayonet practice looked almost exactly as we use today.

[@Maciliachris]

HEMA Instructor Nick Thomas Thanks for your response, and sorry for the delay. I can pretty much agree to everything you said. And I commend you for your open mind on padded weapons with no protections, as most HEMA practicioners tend to look down on such weapons as being LARP gaming tools. But I for myself do also train with such weapons, the Calimacil Martial Arts swords with realistic weight and dense foam. These hurt quite a bit, and although they can't replace the use of steel blades, they have learned us quite a few things, especially how different it is to fight without the hindrance of protective gear (and how we don't want to be hurt by those weapons). On the other hand, it is true that full force fighting with complete gear and steel swords is also needed, so I think we both agree that there is no best way alone to simulate real fighting. Thanks for your polite discussion, it would be a pleasure to encounter you one day!

[@Philoglossos]

Railriderchris I wanted to like those so badly, but the feel is just so... off. Dx

[@malarkythompsonwilson9981]

Aunque han mejorado mucho. Siguen problemas evidentes aquí, su guardia de los pies es más una de longsword que un tai sabaki

[@BasicallyWorking]

After watching many, MANY videos on this topic (longsword Vs katana) it is clear that the longsword is clearly better, and by a long shot!

[@n0oo7]

Well the longsword was used in combat. while the katana is a glorified peasant killer.

[@dioarya6275]

​@@n0oo7 Well can you do Tenshin-Ryu and Iaido techniques with the Longsword ?

[@AK-yi3ec]

One does not simply weild a katana.

[@theodoreberbach9562]

i think thats a wakizashi, katana should be longer

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Harry Chung No, this has a 30" blade, which is actually longer than average for a katana.

[@AVGyerra22]

This is a 2 year old comment but if it was longer it would have been an Odachi or a Nodachi

[@ghostdude45]

Katana are actually on the shorter end next to their longsword counterparts.

[@the2ndgem]

As a white American European I have pride in the longsword. However, my wife is Japanese and I see classic Japanese movies and TV shows depicting katana combat all the time. THESE SAMURAI ARE LIGHTNING FAST. There is still a debate because a katana is so light it can whip around faster than any longsword. One clean hit from a katana, granted that neither party is well armored, and its over. However, I may have to give it to the longsword in the end, because it is double bladed AND can CRUSH the blade of a katana due to its weight and sturdy composite. Depends on speed, skill, armor, luck, and then you have the answer. If everything were evened out .... Longsword.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

The conception that katana are super light and longswords really heavy is a bad misconception created by movies. In fact they are about in proportion to one another. As such, If you look to some of the small bastard swords that are closer to typical katana size, they weigh about the same. Some are also much quicker due to their mass distribution, with far less metal int he tip. The cutting power can be the same too, depending on the individual example. Katanas had harder edges so could hold an edge a little longer, but take a lot of damage as a result. In this particular fight it is assumed to be unarmoured, which is most of what we do. Ultimately extra reach is nearly always an advantage when the weapons begin drawn and you have the space to use them. But, the skill of the fighters is the most important factor in many match ups.

[@Grivian]

That circle guard is rubbish

[@AVGyerra22]

It was never meant to be a guard though

[@StevDoesBigJumps]

It's mostly there to prevent your hand sliding onto the blade.

[@Birdmanorange]

So realistic

[@galenblake5529]

european might , longsword wins

[@StevDoesBigJumps]

It does outrange the katana with about 20 cm.

[@sirgalah561]

Longsword has better reach..