Would you want a Katana?

[WolfThomas]

No I have a gun.

I also have a crowbar and my kabar fighting knife. All infinitely more practical than a katana.

That said my dad has an actual katana, as in it's blade is 400-500 years old and still good (the hilt and scabbard have been repaired/replaced over the years). It's very plain and very sharp. It cost a considerable amount of money even though it probably wasn't the best katana back in it's heyday. It's pretty cool but I don't really think it's worth the cost or effort (neither does he).

If I had to have a sword, I'd have a sabre, they're sturdier and having a dashing charm to them.

 

[merf1350]

No, I would not want a katana.
Primarily because I'm pretty sure its fairly hard to get a sharpened one, the ones they sell in malls and online are dull and just for show. Pretty much useless, and makes it essentially a cheap piece of metal on a hilt, that cost you a lot of money.
If one somehow managed to get a real sharpened katana, it would be pretty hard to find some actual classes to teach one how to use the damn thing. Most martial arts classes are a complete load and I'm sure that ones that go into actual useful techniques on how to use a weapon, some that I've experienced are just show/competition movements, are even harder to find.
Without training one would probably hurt themselves pretty badly.
I'd rather find a more practical weapon.

I own 6, all sharp, ranging in price from $50 to $300. It's not hard to find well made sharp one for a reasonable cost.

 

[Shapsters]

Hell yes, I would fucking love a Katana! Nothing better than a Japanese sword!

 

[Fearzone]

Umm... hell yeah? Who wouldn't? And don't say because you would rather have another weapon because no law says you can only have one.

 

[TheDustyBanana]

I've got a katana. It's a decorative one I got back when I was 15 when I was really into the whole samurai thing. I'm considering getting another, less decorative one but I don't have the money for a decent one at the moment, plus I'm more of a knife person anyway.

 

[Cekil1]

I actually HAVE a katana in my room. Specifically the one Hiro uses in "Heroes", but I don't really know how to use it. It was an impulse buy! Don't judge me!

 

[Extra-Ordinary]

Eh, maybe. It's certainly good for show. But that's about it for me. Even though would be a good defense against a knife-wielding robber. And the look that would be on his face...

 

[Normalgamer]

Erm, Katana's are useless against a firearm. And Firearms take almost no actual training to use at point-blank range.

 

[MrNickster]

I'd like one since I have a little Haidong Gumdo training and I'd like to start doing Kendo. I do like the Katana sword-Very sharp and in the right hands, very fast.

 

[Canadian Briton]

Nahh if I had to have an eastern sword I would use a Wakizahsi (because its shorter I could have more control over it) Although overall I'd prefere a Longsword.

 

[DarthFennec]

I have one, trust me, it's not worth it unless you have a lot of chances to show it to a lot of people, one time each. Once you get it, it's boring and it's just another piece of junk, and it'll impress your friends once, but only once, each.

 

[Smeg_head]

I would want one, perfect weapon for a zombie apocalypse.

This, and that they;re beautifully pretty 8D

 

[L-J-F]

I'd rather have a European arming sword to be honest, half because the Katana is THE most overrated weapon in history.

 

[voetballeeuw]

Isn't that an automatic yes?

 

[Korolev]

Katanas are useless as a military weapon. As a self-defense weapon, maybe, but wouldn't any large blade do? Or a gun? I don't approve of guns, but if you live in a dangerous area, you might need one, and a gun beats a Katana in every respect.

For practical purposes, you wouldn't need one. Cutting meat, getting firewood, chopping up old wooden chairs, any practical purpose you could use a Katana for is better suited for an axe or a kitchen knife/butcher's knife.

No, unless you are practicing some sort of martial art, there's no need to own a Katana. Aside from the fact that they look cool, and if you want one because it looks cool, then go for it. But know this: You will probably never use it, there are better weapons/tools, and real Katanas are very expensive.

 

[Korolev]

Not to beat a dead-horse, but the age of the sword is over. You know why the Samurai no longer exist? It's because 10 farmers with rifles and 5 days training could easily kill 50 Samurai that spent decades training. The Japanese don't employ samurai or go around with swords. The Banzai charge used in WW2 worked against the Chinese (who had very old rifles), but was completely useless against the Americans who had 50. cal Machine guns.

No modern military uses swords in combat. Officers are still issued with ceremonial swords, but in combat they are issued with knives and bayonets.

Katanas were good for their time, as were swords, but they serve no practical purpose whatsoever. Like a giant suit of European armor, a Japanese sword is absolutely useless, and a sign of a defeated and outmoded military weapon.

I get the fact that some practice sword fighting for the skill and for the exercise - that's cool, and fine and probably healthy. But unless you are considering such a sport, why bother? I suppose I just don't understand the "Collector" mentality (which my father has) of collecting things I'm never going to use. Ever. My father collects old binoculars and cameras that, half the time, don't even work. They just sit there, and he has lost all interest in them (doesn't stop him from getting new old cameras though).

So don't get one. It's a waste of money. I'm sure you have bills, college loans, basic necessities that need buying and all that stuff. And even if you don't, put it in a bank. Save up. Buy insurance.

Be responsible.

 

[firedfns13]

I'd like to have a Katana in my bedroom. I want to learn how to use it properly, buy a nice one and leave it in my room[footnote]hidden of course[/footnote] so I would have something to defend myself with if Ninja's or CIA thugs[footnote][small]or zombies for that matter[/small][/footnote] came after me for some reason.

A more serious answer to my own question is that I would like a Katana because I've always admired them and swords in general. I wouldn't pull it out very often and I'd, well, just think it'd be awesome to have one. With my current budget I will not be able to afford one anytime soon.

Would you want a Katana? Why?

I almost bought my ex girlfriend one as a christmas gift. She broke up with me the day mw2 came out (unrelated). She then said she wouldve only used it as something to cosplay with.


How the fuck do you top the pearl necklace her parents gave her to wear to fucking homecoming. HOMECOMING! It broke but we found it, thank god.

 

[Enkidu88]

Always preferred a good western european broadsword personally. I have a Scottish Claymore in my room,as well as a single-hander and a dagger.

Katanas do have a certain aesthetic quality though, and I wouldn't mind having one hanging on my wall.

 

[Blair Bennett]

Yes and, chances are, that in the next two months or so, I will come to possess one.

Last year, the elderly man who lives across the street from me died. It was said because, for as long as I could remember, he'd always been a very friendly guy and had held many a party at his house. Now, in his house, he has a living room. And in that living room, hung above the mantle for the fireplace, is the most beautiful katana I have ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. There are photos of this man using said katana to cut his and his wife's wedding cake.