demoman_chaos said:
As for the first video;
This is hardly a conclusive video for a number of reasons;
Firstly, the technique of the swordsman is sloppy (even discounting his two intentionally not great cuts). The cuts are not consistent at all, and he's doing much more of a hack than a slice with most of the cuts.
Secondly, the one cut where he manages his best speed (we'll have to take his word for this, from the video it's not clear) he's attacking from right shoulder, and he uses his shoulder as the fulcrum in the lever. This is more or less what the second hand does. I'm not saying one handed weapons are necessarily always slower, but in general the two handed weapon is quicker in most respects.
Thirdly, while I never said the two handed weapon cuts more effectively (I merely said faster, which is not necessarily equivalent), the truth is that it does - I have done test cutting with tatami mats, with both a single handed and two handed sword. I can tell you I managed clean, consistent cuts with both. I can also tell you that it was still
easier to cut with the two handed weapon (that is, I felt less resistance). Regardless, even if the cut were not more effective, a two handed weapon is far more responsive because of the sheer amount of extra leverage you have.
Fourthly, I also never made the claim that curved swords cut better. However, now I will make that claim... for properly curved swords (see the shamshir, tulwar, kilij, etc.), rather than for something with the kind of curve the katana has, or say an infantry sabre. In fact, you can find historical sources that support the claim that a slight curve does not increase the cutting ability significantly, but that the tulwar for example was renowned for its cutting prowess.
Look, I'm not saying that two handed weapons are better than one handed weapons. Each have their respective advantages and disadvantages. One thing that's important to note is that
speed is not the be all and end all of sword fighting. Good technique defeats speed any day of the week.
As for the second video... I'm actually not sure what point you're trying to make?
Regardless, they're not using steel (shinai and nylon wasters do not handle like steel), the kendo guy doesn't seem to be very good, and longsword guy is pretty decent but likes to wander into distance and spends too much time cycling through guards.
You'll discover that the trend with most of these HEMA/WMA vs EMA videos is usually that one side is far more skilled than the other, and it happens both ways - I've seen HEMA guys destroyed by kenjutsu guys, and vice versa.
The other video posted above to similar effect is one of the slightly better ones, but both combatants are severely limited by the lack of safety gear.
EDIT: The video I posted from my instructor is no different, I should mention.