I'm not a postal worker, lol, but I like to swordplay with antiques. There are a bunch of factors you need to take into account with the hilt, length, blade alignment, grip, impact area, target, etc. with either the straight or curved blade. In general, a straight blade in relation to the hilt could have a forward lean, straight or back lean and each is going to move different so it depends on what one wants to accomplish in a fight. Most the time its not really a chop but a cut drag on impact. A straight blade with a forward lean drags deeper, back lean slices more automatically, and a blade straight with the hilt, one would cut draw. A curved blade slices more naturally leading into arced motions to another cut or ends and leads into another cut if needed. The effects on the arm and hand with either the straight or curved blade depends on the skill and conditioning of the swordsman and it deals more with body mechanics and structure besides what one strikes. Of course, one could rig it all into a machine and do calculated measurements but it'd miss the whole complex human aspect and reality.
|