Interesting thing about your comment. I think I am having an alzheimer's moment - as I SWEAR I typed up a comment somewhere about how my Scrap-Weiler concept photo-chop ended up "appearing" to have a swedge. But, I can't find where I typed it anywhere (??????????????????) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

When I photo-chopped the Scrap-weiler concept, I basically copied and pasted a portion of the mid-section of the spine (of a Chopweiler) toward the tip and rotated it in and cleaned the lines to make it fit. The portion I "cut" didn't have the grind line and I pasted it over the grind line. I just didn't fabricate the grind line back in so it appears to have a swedge. I thought it "looked" cool in the pic, so I just left it instead of taking the time to fill the primary grind line back in.
But, in reality, I don't have so much value for a swedge.


I checked and I actually did say this: "I kind of like the look of the swedge and I do think there can be some value in a swedge, but I wouldn't want it to interfere with batoning either. I think it would be fine if not too thin at the spine of the swedge ."

So, when I say: "not too thin at the spine of the swedge", I mean not sharpened, just thinned a little. Meaning if the spine is .24" thick, the swedge at the spine could still be .1" - .12" thick or so. Still a swedge with some benefits, but not so thin to be a hinderance in batoning.



But, "some" possible benifits "could" be:

- "Improves" in thrusting type penetration - Yes, Katana's thrust pretty well. But, *** And this is some theory on my part - I believe a Katana's primary use was for slashing and chopping - not thrusting. No doubt, thrusting could, can and probably has been done with Katanas. Ironically, the other benifit of a swedge would be:

- "Improves" slash cutting (at tip) - But, if a Katana is primarily a slashing weapon, why not have the blade shaped to maximize slashing capabilities??? - * I am very confident that a blade with a swedge WILL slash better at the tip than a blade without a swedge.
But, here is "My theory" for the catch in regards to a Katana: In a Katana, the tip of the blade would be under EXTREME torque with the speed generated from a MUCH longer blade. I think a swedge tip on most Katanas would compromise strength and be too prone to breaking. A broken tip on a Katana would be a major compromise to it as a weapon. An argument could be made that a swedge on a blade such as a Chopweiler or Scrap-Weiler sized blade would compromise it's strength as well, but I doubt there would be any real concerns in even extreme use of breaking the tip of a Scrap Yard, Swamp Rat or Busse blade. Some of the Battle Rats had a small swedge and they have done fine. Keep in mind that Katanas have a differentially heat treated blade up to and including the tip. And the edges (and tip) are harder and more brittle on a Katana that many other types of swords.

MANY other swords effectively have a swedge or thinned back spine that would be comparable to a swedge in use. I don't "really" know why a Katana doesn't have a swedge - I am just theorizing. But, in use, there would be some advantages to a swedge in a weapon (IMO). I would be curious if anyone knows the real reasons why "Most" (??????) Katanas do not have a swedge. I say most as I don't recall having seen a Katana with a swedge, but I wouldn't be surprised if some did (??????).

- Third benifit is for drilling. A swedge tip will drill better than a non-swedge tip.


Those are just some possible benifits, but I doubt "I" would consider any of them worthy of out-weighing the one significant advantage to NOT having a swedge - batoning.

I don't think tip strength would be an issue.

Looks are subjective.

Anyone else?????

.