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Old July 6th, 2010 #65
J. Holmes
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
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I have seen several instances of a fencer beating a kendoka. The fencer is just too fast. People don't like to admit that kendo is slower because they've invested all this time in learning it--but it's just not as good for civilian combat as fencing. But yes, it's still very good.

And the katana was in fact used for cutting armor. Many of the innovations in Japanese armor were made due to the the swords cutting the numerous ties that hold the lamellar armor in place. These ties run all over the armor--not just the legs and joints. Later on the Japanese adapted superior European plate armor.

A sword never could cut ANY part of full plating--joints or otherwise. In fact, duels often degenerated into wrestling matches. Full plate was the cause for the shift to more bludgeoning type weapons--or weapons designed specifically for piercing--such as the 'estoc'.

But none of these are useful in a practical sense. Some people enjoy doing it as a hobby and that's fine.