Destructive Sword Test.... Machine Gun vs. Katana

BSMStar · 15th August 2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

The blade was made specifically for this test by the sword maker why is it stupid? The maker did this to prove a point that properly made blades can hold up to great amounts of punishment. It is not like they took a Masamune out of the museum and shot at it.

You have every right to call me stupid or crazy...

Just think of the PR the Smith will get from this demo... it will be more than worth the price of the blade. As difficult as the test is to accept (even for me), its no different that taking a brand new "Beamer" and crashing it into a concrete wall at 60 MPH... to show what punishment the car will take and let you "walk" away. Great advertisement... I want one.

Lew · 15th August 2006, 06:17 PM

Gentleman

This type of test is partly done for hype and partly done for knowlege. I am sure that ancient bladesmiths on occassion experimented with new or different steel combinations and heat treatments to see if they could come up with a better sword. Also destroying a blade now and then gives one a chance to see how their quality control is doing. So it is not stupidity in anyway to do this type of testing granted it is on the extreme side of experimentation. Some blades with kisu or flaws are often destroyed maybe this was one of them? I recall a story of a famous Japanese sword maker who created a very beautiful katana for his lord but when the blade was tested it failed to cut well. The sword maker spent an entire year or more refining his technique and told his lord that his next sword would surpass all the cutting tests or he would commit sepuku. Well the sword maker finally kept his word and produced the most wonderful sword for his lord that would pass all of the cutting tests put to it. I am quite sure that the sword maker went through a few test swords before he finally came up with the winner his life depended on it.

Lew

Valjhun · 15th August 2006, 06:28 PM

I agree... From the marketing specter is that a brilliant strategy for a decadent, mass market. That test has nothing to do with sword usage and a real connoseiur should know that

BSMStar · 15th August 2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valjhun

I agree... From the marketing specter is that a brilliant strategy for a decadent, mass market. That test has nothing to do with sword usage and a real connoseiur should know that

I do not think that anyone can disagree with you, it is a very odd benchmark for sword making. But it is an impressive benchmark.

I do not think that this one test alone would be enough to prove a sword's worth.

But passing all other tests, what a sword!!!!!!!

The Double D · 15th August 2006, 08:11 PM

Do really good swords delaminate like that one did?

katana · 15th August 2006, 08:51 PM

I agree that the testing of blades is important....how else can you prove that the blades you produce have quality or the forging techniques you employ are the 'best'. Historically speaking...many blades were tested.....to find out, in the heat of battle, that your blade was say,...badly tempered and shatters, would be a test...too late

Using an 50 calibre machine gun.... is a little extreme ....but visually it is a spectacle......a case of old weapon technology versus new.... no problem there......unless the katana is historically significant.....then thats a different matter

BSMStar · 15th August 2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Double D

Do really good swords delaminate like that one did?

I think it is fair to say, with the techniques used in making this type of blade, the stress of being struck by this type of round... seven times in quick succession (with heat production and stress)... yes, really good swords can delaminate like this.

Splitting a 50 cal...

15th August 2006, 06:17 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Gentleman This type of test is partly done for hype and partly done for knowlege. I am sure that ancient bladesmiths on occassion experimented with new or different steel combinations and heat treatments to see if they could come up with a better sword. Also destroying a blade now and then gives one a chance to see how their quality control is doing. So it is not stupidity in anyway to do this type of testing granted it is on the extreme side of experimentation. Some blades with kisu or flaws are often destroyed maybe this was one of them? I recall a story of a famous Japanese sword maker who created a very beautiful katana for his lord but when the blade was tested it failed to cut well. The sword maker spent an entire year or more refining his technique and told his lord that his next sword would surpass all the cutting tests or he would commit sepuku. Well the sword maker finally kept his word and produced the most wonderful sword for his lord that would pass all of the cutting tests put to it. I am quite sure that the sword maker went through a few test swords before he finally came up with the winner his life depended on it. Lew

15th August 2006, 06:28 PM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	I agree... From the marketing specter is that a brilliant strategy for a decadent, mass market. That test has nothing to do with sword usage and a real connoseiur should know that

15th August 2006, 08:11 PM	#5
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	Do really good swords delaminate like that one did?

15th August 2006, 08:51 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I agree that the testing of blades is important....how else can you prove that the blades you produce have quality or the forging techniques you employ are the 'best'. Historically speaking...many blades were tested.....to find out, in the heat of battle, that your blade was say,...badly tempered and shatters, would be a test...too late Using an 50 calibre machine gun.... is a little extreme ....but visually it is a spectacle......a case of old weapon technology versus new.... no problem there......unless the katana is historically significant.....then thats a different matter