| I don't understand the whole idea that the Japanese are supernaturally good at combat. A long sword is an infinitely more practical weapon, since it can be as sharp as you could ever need it to be, deliver a heavy blow that can transfer through armour, be reversed and used as a hammer or a hook, and serve as a make-shift crucifix for prayin'. A katana is just an exercise in how many times you can fold a piece of steel.
If knights could fight in armour fast enough to defeat a more lightly armoured foe, just think how blindingly fast they would be without it, especially if their opponent was only used to laquered wood and chainmail.
I've read that essay. The guy is a knight re-enacter, I get the impression he spends most of the essay trying to be polite about the fact the knight would win hands down. |