[quote=HazmatMedic]If you were to say your soldier is carrying a Wakazishi, I would take it to mean he is carrying a Wakazishi-like blade, made of iron and without the fancy layering techniques the feudal Japanese used.

The difference we will practically apply is looks.

So, to summarise - all "future weapons" are merely aesthetic. Having a Wakazishi will NOT mean you have access to all the fancy techniques and immense power that Japanese swords have - that's feudal, not Ancient. It WILL mean you have a very pretty sword, though.Is that fair, Alf/Shimm?
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That's not how it works, and you really need to do more research into your material before you make another post. Certain weapons are better than others because of the way they are constructed, and that is what I am trying to explain. There is also the point in that certain weapons cannot be made out of inferior metals because they will not hold their shape. Case in point, the wakizashi and tantos. They are significantly thinner in both the width of the blade, as well as the depth of cutting surface. A strong enoguh impact will shatter the blade if it is made of inferior metal, and then you are pretty much better off using the gladii, because its design was based off using more primitive metallurgy. Simply slapping on an arbitrary ruling as you are suggesting is breaking yet another of your own rules. Honestly. 

Keep it realistic, keep it 5th Century. That is what YOU advertised to us in the interest check, and that is why we have chosen to give this another shot after the first thread died.