I know...but do you know how it could? The man he's fighting has a sword too (of course) and I was wondering if someone could break a katana with their own sword.
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I guess... but you have to remember a katana is forged in a very strong way, it's several layers of steel. If the other sword is landed hardly enough, and is made of a strong enough substance then it should work. If your story is fantasy, then a unique metal can explain that
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Breaking a sword with another sword is nearly impossible if the swords are newly forged and/or well taken care of. The Mythbusters tested it, and it wasn't happening (even when it was a claymore vs rapier), especially with Katanas.The curve gives the blade strength, and it was designed not to break very easily by having hard steel at the cutting edge (easier to sharpen) and soft steel on the blunt edge to absorb the impact of a cut.
However, if the sword was old or in bad repair, then it could snap (most likely at the hilt/blade connection). However, a good swordsman knew not to go into a fight with an incredibly damaged, unkept, or old sword. Unless you want to show your character as being a rather stupid swordsman, I'd rule that out.
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo
Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.
You could do one of those cheesy, Japanese movie pull outs: "What? How did you break my sword? It is not possible!" "Its simple, my sword was forged in the forgery of all forges, in the tempest mountain. It can cut through stone. It has its own spirit. But your sword has no spirit, and so you hvae been found...wanting." "Aaaaiiiieeee!" (Charges at the dude with a rock)
...yah...I'm not really helping...
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Katanas aren't the only kinds of swords available. A Talwar looks like a katana but lacks the exact forging methods and has a much more extreme curve. Also, depending on your time period, you could get away with a non-oriental (to be exact, a non-Japanese) character having a katana.
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo
Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.
Do keep in mind Talwars have a different purpose than a Katana. Katanas were minimal-stroke-kill swords used by Samurai, mostly on the ground and sometimes on a horse. Talwars were made for horseback fighting and to deliver a killing blow from above an opponent. (They were also an Indian sword, native to the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East.)
I'd take a look at Useful Notes on Swords by TV Tropes. It gives a good basic overview of the kind of swords available, why they were used, and where they came from.
Although you're probably looking at a straight sword, either way, because those were most common in Europe. Considering how little Asia and Europe traded during eras where swords were common in Europe (they were common in Asia for a bit longer. Especially so in Japan, which kept its borders firmly closed until the mid 19th century [1854], after gunpowder had been invented) it's unlikely you'll get any Asian swords.
Depending on your setting, though, you could bend the rules as much as you want (Note- Fantasy settings or alternate history only.). Look into why various swords were developed and why they became popular to mix and match your own sword style.
A writer is a world trapped in a person— Victor Hugo
Ink is blood. Paper is bandages. The wounded press books to their heart to know they're not alone.
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cool...Thank you!
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