A longsword weighs between 15-20 pounds... while the average katana weighs 10-15 pounts, HOWEVER... the average katana is half the length of a longsword... if it was made the same weight, it would almost be twice as heavy.

A more comprable weapon, a Roman Gladius, the heavy Ceramonial Ones, were 15 pounds... these were covered in gold, not combat used...

A combat ready Katana can easily weigh up to 15 pounds, and unlike this Gladius' they have the balence of a equilbrium deprived one legged man with out his cane.

...you mean length, right? Not weight?

According to wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana), katanas are more than 2 'shaku' in length (1 shaku = 12 inches or 30 cm).

I measured the ornamental katana in my room with a measuring tape. The blade length is 29 inches. I don't know how to measure its weight properly though, but I'd say it's less than 5 kilograms, maybe 3.5 kg? (I have a 5kg dumbbell). Authentic katanas should be a little heavier due to the material used.

If you like I can measure my iaito (approx. same length but much lighter) as well but it's in a box somewhere.

Long swords shouldn't be 60 inches long. Maybe you mistook a wakizashi for a katana? (the blades of wakizashis are 1 shaku in length).

Also katanas are meant to be wielded with both hands. I believe Melanchthon can correct me if I'm wrong.

Two hands just for leverage. There are several schools that teach the simultaneous use of the katana and wakizashi, or even two katana (although that's a bit strange, even to me. I don't see how to avoid getting in your own way).

I thought Nementh was comparing to a wakizashi, as well. The blade of my own katana is 34.5 inches long, and it's certainly not the longest out there. Shorter katana are generally from the latter periods of Japanese history, when their presence was more and more just a statement of rank. Thus, shorter katana were desirable, since they didn't interfere with your movements so much as wearing the longer swords. Conversely, in periods of warfare, blade lengths increased.

And Nementh, I really want to stay respectful, but when you say katana have the 'balance of an equilbrium deprived one legged man without his cane', I can only say that at least one of these two things must be true:

A) The katana you used fell from the back end of a horse.

B) You weren't employing it according to its design.

They're beautifully effective weapons, truly.

Katana were designed to be able to cut through muscle, ligament, and potentially bone. They were, when properly forged, ideal beheading weapons, which is one reason why they're so prominent in the hara-kiri ritual. As for which sword ownxorz over all, I kindly direct readers here.

This has been a history moment.

That was excellent, Mary. I am now convinced that the Jedi lightsabre is the only perfect sword.

Until you do a Ctrl+Alt+Delete, turn it on the wrong way round, and stab yourself through the -

There's a fundamental problem with all of these ideas regarding which sword is better/more appropriate for Lusternia. Said problem is:

All of the above opinions have been tested and applied to the sword in question being wielded by a human. An Igasho is not going to care if a blade is 2-3 or even 10 pounds heavier. Likewise, a faeling is going to want a short, light sword, and couldn't even lift a claymore.

And as far as the best sword argument is concerned, I know something that beats you all: a spear, or even better, a short hafted naginata (single blade, curved) They give you reach, they're made primarily from lighter material, and especially in the case of stabbing spears, are much less unwieldy than even the best sword (the exception to this last being the gladius, but they have reach on the gladius anyway. Hell, the Romans always bet on a gladiator with net and spear/trident over one with the gladius). My particular favorite is the naginata style known as the ashendarai, used by Bob Jordan for one of his main characters. The haft is a little under four feet, with a foot long single-edged blade. Nice. Useful either mounted against foot soldiers, or on foot against mounted/non-mounted opponents. Talk about your versatility.

did you just call him Bob Jordan? *shudder*

Someone else likes Naginatas

Yes, Dag, yes I did.

And I don't like traditional Naginata....they're too long to be used effectively from horseback. Great against cavalry, though, as most had that nice bladed cross-section/spike jutting perpendicular to the blade. Keeps the horse from impaling itself far enough for its rider to get a good swing at you, but just enough to kill the damn thing (while your archers pick off the riders by firing over your head).