Recent content by Alex Lai

Please provide some sources before repeating that claim again and again! Modern reproduction swords might make use of spring steel, but I don't think it was available in the 16th century... Also read this article by John Clements. Under the subheading 'Ancient Art and Modern Science" he...

I feel there is a need for the ways the swords are made to be cleared up so everyone can be on the same page. If someone like lightknight with actual experience can correct me if i'm wrong about something. So here goes: Steel Japanese: Being resource poor did not mean that they had poor...

The Japanese have fought people such as the Chinese which have double edged weapons. Also the use of the pommel both offensively and defensively is present in iaido and various other Japanese sword arts. Hell I even use the handle portion to strike an opponent's handle sometimes in kendo, which...

I want to seriously dispute your claim about the katana being forged in the same manner. The folding of the steel was used to homogenize the steel with differing carbon content and remove impurities, and lots of cultures knew to do this from very early. What differentiates a katana is the use of...

Can you verify that? I know that japanese swords aren't supposed to be used this way etc etc but I'd expect it to not fail so spectacularly. I've seen this video before and there are a few things I feel that indicates otherwise. First, the hamon (wavey bit of the blade) is way too apparent...

What do you think of the longsword in this video? Obviously it was a friendly spar but I felt both were decent and in control of their weapon. I think the technique utilised by the bokken user at 1:24 and 2:05 would be pretty indicative of what would happen if a nihonto were able to...

Wow I registered just for this >< I think that the guy test cutting in the first video has poor technique for using a curved blade, especially with both hands. He is essentially 'hacking' at the target as if he is using an axe, which is not the 'slicing' motion you are meant to use to cut...