Don't Mess With The Geeks

[Der Teutoniker]

More likely not a katana, but an iaito, a practice metal sword, or some kind of replica.

Iaito's and practice swords tend to not be sharpened, so it would seem unlikely that the burglar suffered only wounds from being cut, rather than bludgeoned. The description of the event would seem to suggest that it indeed was either a katana, or a mis-named ninja-to.

Also, I gotta say, what a badass. Not many people can use swords particularly effective, and it seems to work for this man, I say good on him, and bad form for any prosecutor working against him for some ridiculous criminal charge.

[Aelosia]

Those metal practice swords are as sharp as a kitchen knife, and significatively sharper than common swords. I do own one myself.

Why would they make a practice sword sharper than the real deal? That seems like the exact opposite of what they should be doing.

Japanese practice swords are sharper than european or arabic ones, got it?

I have never, ever wielded a true katana in my hands. Those are supposed to be pretty much sharper than practice ones.

They're pretty damn sharp; I guy I used to practice aikido with collected them, and he showed me what they could do (on an inanimate object). Yeah, the guy was tremendously wealthy -- he was an early investor in AOL...

Collected true katanas? No matter how wealthy he is, he likely have a lot of good replicas and several practice swords of good quality, and maybe one, or two katanas.

[Aelosia]

More likely not a katana, but an iaito, a practice metal sword, or some kind of replica.

Iaito's and practice swords tend to not be sharpened, so it would seem unlikely that the burglar suffered only wounds from being cut, rather than bludgeoned. The description of the event would seem to suggest that it indeed was either a katana, or a mis-named ninja-to.

Also, I gotta say, what a badass. Not many people can use swords particularly effective, and it seems to work for this man, I say good on him, and bad form for any prosecutor working against him for some ridiculous criminal charge.

My Iaito is sharpened. Not as a true katana, but sharpened nevertheless

[Lord Tothe]

I just purchased a pair of cheap wall hanger fantasy-style claymores. Not exactly suitable for combat, but they could inflict some major damage. If I needed to defend myself, I'd rather use my machete or my shotgun.

On whether the geek needs to be pwned in court, I say self-defense is justifiable, and if someone presents what you consider to be a lethal threat you should do everything in your power to stop that person. The burglar burgled an occupied residence, so it's perfectly justifiable to assume he knew it was occupied and was prepared to eliminate any witnesses.

[Siththule]

Thats fucking awesome...

It is not Awesome. 1 person is dead and and several people have to deal with the trauma of remembering (and cleaning up the bloody mess) the death of a human being. The person who killed (in self defence) will have to deal with even more trama feeling at fault or knowing that it could have been him who bleed to death had the attacker managed to take the sword.

This seems to have been justified self defense and thus fully legal and right but it was not "Awesome"

What is 'awesome' is that the criminal died, the students did not, nor did they loose any further property and that society looses one non-contributing member whilst these kids go on to become professionals. The clean up teams are fairly jaded apparently and the student may very well not feel the trauma you describe.

[Tekania]

Damn, that criminal should have known better than to go up against that dudes 9D20 with only a 2D8... Some people just never learn... Well, better luck next time!

[Der Teutoniker]

My Iaito is sharpened. Not as a true katana, but sharpened nevertheless

What metal is made from? Also, did it come sharpened, or did you sharpen it after you go it? Wiki seems to agree that Iaito, by definition, are not sharpened: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iaito.

[Maurepas]

That's what you call badass,

But, I think the world already knows not to fuck with Greece...


I mean really...

[UNIverseVERSE]

More likely not a katana, but an iaito, a practice metal sword, or some kind of replica.

Even although not as deadly, it is fairly lethal in the hands of someone strong enough as to pull weight behind the blade. An enlarged kitchen knife is still as dangerous as you might guess a giant kitchen knife would be.

A sword is nowhere close to an 'enlarged kitchen knife'. The weight distribution, blade shape, edge geometry, and sharpness are all very different, as suits a weapon with a very different purpose.

I don't think you know much about katanas. A katana is a big razor blade. I was allowed to handle one once: it's not like a cheap European sword, and so lopping limbs offa people with it (like in the OP) is not hard.

I don't think you know much about swords. A typical katana might be kept obscenely sharp, but that isn't actually too useful for lopping off limbs. It's these stupid bones in the middle of limbs that do it. Ironically, what would work a lot better is one of those 'cheap European swords' you describe -- the design and weight of historical European weapons tends to be much more suited for cutting (and smashing) through very solid targets, like bone.

I would link people over to the ARMA site, so that some accuracy is included in the discussion of swords, but I'm not sure if I can be bothered.

[Aelosia]

More likely not a katana, but an iaito, a practice metal sword, or some kind of replica.

Even although not as deadly, it is fairly lethal in the hands of someone strong enough as to pull weight behind the blade. An enlarged kitchen knife is still as dangerous as you might guess a giant kitchen knife would be.

A sword is nowhere close to an 'enlarged kitchen knife'. The weight distribution, blade shape, edge geometry, and sharpness are all very different, as suits a weapon with a very different purpose.

Aware of that. However, not all knives are made with the use as a weapon in mind, while all swords usually do.

And well, katanas are very good at cutting limbs. They used to, and still are. Medieval swords were really good at it, but for a different reason. Weight, and not sharpness. The real difference under all the theory is that katanas are not so good against heavy armoured enemies, while european swords still excel at that given their blunt power added to the sharpness of the blade.

[Sudreich]

Was it just me who read "Don't Mess With The Greeks"? I spent the first seconds of skimming the OP thinking why would a greek use a Japanese sword for that...

Eh, for the burglar I'd say 'serves him right', he bought the risk. Personally I prefer sabers.

[Taeshan]

Was it just me who read "Don't Mess With The Greeks"? I spent the first seconds of skimming the OP thinking why would a greek use a Japanese sword for that...

Eh, for the burglar I'd say 'serves him right', he bought the risk. Personally I prefer sabers.

Hilarious.