[quote=@Agent B52]
[@Zugzwang]

I do believe we are broadly in agreement here. We both seem to agree that the katana as it stands has a reputation far in excess of it's actual effectiveness, and that it is fairly good at cutting down unarmoured opponents. Nowhere do you see me arguing that it would be effective vs a fully kitted out ~1500's era man-at-arms.

We only seem to disagree on the degree of effectiveness of a katana for it's time and circumstances, ie Japan prior to about 1850, after which the society went on to modernise, conquer, and then get a suntan.
[/quote]

I agree. I suspect I am correct, but I'll go do some more research when time permits: finals are on their way after all. Still, I always need more excuses to read about people hitting each other with sharp things.