HI Sirupati/Kobra vs katana?

[arty]

If I had to choose between a khukuri or a katana - My choice would be a revolver. A longer blade would be better - but indoors, a katana is a bit cumbersome. I have a new Al Massey leafblade that I would pick up before I would pick a khukuri. It has a 21" blade and a European style handle and guard. It is sort of like Sting, but with a gladius style blade. It weighs about 1Lb. 15 oz, and balances about 2 1/2 - 3" ahead of the guard. It is much handier than my wak, even though the wak is lighter.

I might carry a Khukuri in my left hand, but the leafblade would be in my right....if I ran out of ....

 

[ichor]

Do I think the Samurai were paranoid? Well, let's examine the term paranoid: an UNREASONABLE, UNJUSTIFIED or IRRATIONAL expectation that some one or some thing is out to do you harm.

If one has read the history of feudal Japan and how many Samurai leader's heads ended up on display in another daimyo's manor, I don't think I'd describe those expectations as unreasonable, unjustified or irrational.

Don

I know the definition of paranoid. Give me a little credit for having some knowledge of Japanese history, Don. We may not all be as knowledgable as you are, but we're not totally ignorant. Did you read the last part of my quote?

"(remember.....just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean that they're not after you.)"

Just because the danger was a lot more prevelant than it is today does not, necessarily, mean that these home building measures were not "irrational". I doubt that there are many people, in today's societies , that would plan their homes around the idea that someone is after them. Please don't make me sound like I'm stupid. The Samurai in those days had a fairly warped view of what was "unreasonable, unjustified, or irrational". We can all build a bubble that will prevent attack, no matter what the circumstances, but is it worth it?? To me that's the difference between rational and irrational, no matter what era or society you live in.

 

[Don Nelson]

Just to interject a bit of ninja wisdom.
Ninjas were peasant assassins. Their katanas were ******. They weren't warriors, they would much rather poison or impale opponents on shuriken.
If a ninja every managed to beat a samurai he would take his sword just because it was that much better, people usually think of the hollywood ninja, which is 90% fictional.
So to be fair, samurai vs. gurkha. Sams had armor, horses, bows, and awesome swords, I can picture a khukuri getting sliced in half by a good katana. I'd have to say the samurai would win, in a 1 on 1 duel.

I guess you and I have read different sources on what types of people made up the ranks of ninja.

As far as a Khukuri being "sliced" in half by any katana, good or otherwise, I would like to suggest as gently as I can that you might need to do some more research on the construction techniques of katana and the hardness ratings of their blades versus that of khukuris. To state it mildly, there is no way a Katana could slice through a Khukuri.

Don

 

[Don Nelson]

I know the definition of paranoid. Give me a little credit for having some knowledge of Japanese history, Don. We may not all be as knowledgable as you are, but we're not totally ignorant. Did you read the last part of my quote?

"(remember.....just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean that they're not after you.)"

Just because the danger was a lot more prevelant than it is today does not, necessarily, mean that these home building measures were not "irrational". I doubt that there are many people, in today's societies , that would plan their homes around the idea that someone is after them. Please don't make me sound like I'm stupid. The Samurai in those days had a fairly warped view of what was "unreasonable, unjustified, or irrational". We can all build a bubble that will prevent attack, no matter what the circumstances, but is it worth it?? To me that's the difference between rational and irrational, no matter what era or society you live in.

Sorry. Didn't mean to offend - I THOUGHT I was participating along with your joke. Sorry it didn't come across like that.

 

[Rusty]

Just saw sams comment. I agree. There are 2 or 3 threads that need to fade away.