Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

The first cut in that video looks almost exactly like the classic high to low katana cut. I'm not an expert, but I really don't see the difference.

First, that's a long sword, not a bastard sword.

Second, if it can cut through bone it can almost certainly disembowel you.


http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=I%20Don%27t%20Think%20So%2C%20Tim


EDIT: Here are some more test cuts against various materials using different weapons.

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

I had worked up, but lost, a Draw Cut technique. If I remember correctly, it was something like a Rapid Strike that did thr cut damage, and had limitations that brought the penalty down.

I never tested it in play, but it fit my understanding of a draw cut. Potential for more damage against an unarmored target, reduced effectiveness versus armor, and blade must be kept in contact for longer.

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

<--Leaves light discussion and not derail the thread in some kind of favor sword war thingy>
(Yes I know the meaning of using Tim, but I find it somewhat insulting - hence me saying it with a smilie - hell my username is my name ;-) )

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

See? This is the reason I was concerned about the realism.

The way I understand it, slicing combines movement of the cutting surface back (or forward, or both) with downward movement. The visual example is that of cutting bread. If you simply push down on it with the knife, you'll get some cutting but also a lot of compression (smashing the bread). Depending on the sharpness of the knife, you might not actually get any cutting until you've reached the point where the bread can't compress any further, at which point you'll rip through. If, on the other hand, you move the knife back (and possibly forth, depending on distance), you'll get an easy, clean cut with minimal compression. Another example is that you can press a steak knife against your arm without anything beyond compression. Move a little, however, and you'll get a nice deep cut.

In order to mimic the slicing with a straight-edged sword, you need to pull back as the weapon connects. It's more difficult to pull this off than a straight swing, hence the penalty. Pulling back is also going to rob your strike of some of its momentum, and you are essentially striking at an angle, hence the poor armor divisor. Now, allegedly, curved swords like katanas and shamshirs are built in such a way that a straight swing will actually mimic the slicing effect. This is because the curvature of the blade essentially takes the place of needing to pull back - you hit at an angle, and that causes the striking surface to change as you continue the swing (just like if you pulled back). Of course, by pushing forward a bit it should be possible to hit straight on, rather than at an angle, with even a curved sword - hence the Hack Technique.


EDIT: I should also note that discussions of how slicing and hacking (and the weapons designed for such) differ are very much on topic for this thread.

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

I dunno, I guess I have doubts about your ability to really predict whether you'll get a direct compressive stroke or some sort of draw mixed with compression on a moving target. The way you swing with either a curved or straight blade seems, to me, to give you a little of both types of hit (draw v. squish) with either style of weapon.

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

There are rules for draw cuts in Martial Arts, you know.

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

Where? I was looking and they're not in the index as such.

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

Good point. It seems to me that a weapon/technique that automatically favors one of the two, however, is going to have more of that character, even on a moving target, than the other. That is, a Hack weapon/technique is going to be more like a Hack, a Slice weapon/technique more like a Slice, regardless of if the target is moving. I could be grossly mistaken, however.

Page reference? The only things I can find are mentioning that a draw cut can be a Defensive Attack (mentioned on MA66, Techniques That Aren't) or can be part of All-Out Attack (Double) (MA97, under All-Out Attack). Either way, it seems to be referring to placing the blade on a target and then pulling back, rather than combining the act of pulling back with a proper swing.

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

Um. In some alternate universe that I must of read them in? Oops.

I may have been thinking of the mention in regards to defensive attacks. Realistically though this does create a difference between Kenjitsu (a defensive attack is typically a draw cut) and various European longsword styles (a defensive attack isn't typically a draw cut).

Re: Slicing vs Hacking
 

I could have sworn I saw something on them too, but unfortunately "cut" is too short for the search filter, which gives me a lot of threads on fast draw.