Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-49.144.138.168-20130609045329/@comment-25948162-20150123151725

Brenton239 wrote: you must admit.... it is kinda dumb on the red guards part they would have to swing further because it is curved. someone in the desgine department didnt think that though when they put the order down.

Actually, a curved blade is better at cutting than a straight one with equal weight, sharpness and force applied, because the force is delivered to a much smaller area. This works regardless of wether the blade is used as an impact weapon, like the western cavalry sabre, or as a (mostly) slicing weapon, like the Japanese katana.

Of course there are drawbacks, like the requirement of a variably wider swing arc, the abscence of a second edge and the loss of stabbing capability, but in terms of cutting effectiveness the curved blade is better.