Although the longsword and katana are often compared to one another in hypothetical debates about which sword is better, some commentators point out that the longsword may not be the most apt weapon to compare to the katana because it is too different mechanically. How true that is lies outside the scope of this piece; instead, were going to compare the katana to similar cutting blades of various traditions, collectively called sabers.A caveat: we arent attempting to decide which sword is inherently better. Every weapon created is intended for use in its specific context. Where one sword might excel, another may fall short, and vice versa. This is simply an analysis of the katana as it compares to the saber.Katana OverviewKatana, c. 1500. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe katana has existed in one form or another since the late 13th century and was in military use until World War II. It is a refinement of earlier swords such as the tachi. It is 36 inches long, and roughly 28 inches of that is the blade.The weapon has a gentle curvature that lends itself well to drawing and cutting, and once out, it can be used in one or two hands. However, most ryuha (Japanese fencing styles) teach the use of both hands for most situations; the extra length of the hilt grants extra leverage. One aspect that singles out the katana is its distinctive hilt: it is constructed of wood and made to hold the tang of the blade with friction and retaining pins. Atop the wooden core of the hilt, a fishskin wrapping and a flat cotton or silk wrapping make the katana easy to grip, both from the contours of the wrap and the materials absorbency.The handguard, or tsuba, is an iron or brass disc or square that offers only slight protection for the hands, mainly being used to keep the swordsman from sliding his own hand up onto the blade inadvertently. However, the comparative lack of protection gave the ability to quickly grasp the hilt and be ready for action.Although it only weighs a kilogram on average, the lack of a pommel and the relatively thick blade make the katana a slightly tip-heavy sword. Its blade profile is larger than the saber, with the wedge-like curved structure making it suited for fast, powerful blows driven by hip rotation.Saber OverviewBritish military saber, 1796. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe saber, a single-edged, one-handed sword, was originally the chief close-combat weapon of the various nomadic tribes of 5th-century Eurasia, such as the Avars, Magyars, Huns, and others. These tribes fought mostly from horseback. Cutting downward from such a height advantage and the momentum from a galloping horse with a curved blade like the saber is devastating to the victim. Different variants of the saber had their own curvature. Through the centuries, the saber became the adopted weapon for cavalry and infantry officers, eventually becoming the close-quarters sidearm until swords were phased out of military action altogether because of the bayonet.Unlike the katana, it is not possible to use the saber in two hands because there is not enough room on the hilt. Also, many saber hilts have a knuckle bow or similar guard that wraps around the hand, so it could be used as a sort of brass knucklestyle implement. The saber weighs about the same as the katana, with some variation. Both the distal and profile cross-sections are thinner, creating a nimble sword that can be used to make cuts from the wrist as well as the elbow.How Were They Wielded?Taiheiki Eiyu-den, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1849. Source: Japanese PrintsSchools of Japanese fencing teach that the katana be held with the smallest and ring fingers gripping the hilt, a moderate grip with the middle finger, and the index finger and thumb barely touching. Cuts mostly receive their power through a step that drives hip and torso movement. The arms and hands naturally follow. The most common targets are the crown of the head, throat, collarbones, torso, wrists, and the insides of the thighs.The saber tended to be wielded with more emphasis on motions driven from the elbow and wrist. Cuts occurred along diagonal and horizontal lines, with wrist rotations called moulinets aiding in transition from one angle to another. The left hand often rested on the hip to act as an aid in supporting the swordsmans upright posture.What Societal Role Did These Swords Have?American Civil War cavalry officer at the Battle of Hanover. Source: Gettysburg DailyTo fully compare the katana and the saber, it is also important to consider their social context. The katana was, in addition to being a battlefield backup weapon, the everyday carry weapon for samurai. After the Great Sword Hunt of 1588, ordered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, only samurai were legally permitted to own a katana or any other weapons, as a means of quelling peasant unrest. Samurai wore it and the wakizashi as a pair called daisho, which served as a samurais signifier of social status. Even if they were not master swordsmen, they were expected to have at least a basic skill in handling the weapon. Numerous schools of fencing developed in the Sengoku and Edo periods.The saber was also a military sidearm worn by the officer class in the military, but unlike the katana, there were fewer legal restrictions on its ownership. Of course, Japan is a single country, while various European countries over the medieval, Renaissance, and Early Modern periods used them to various degrees. That being said, swords were far too expensive to afford for most people and had little practical purpose outside warfare. Wealthy civilians in many European countries in the 17th through 19th centuries would instead use a smallsword or a pistol for dueling or self-defense.Did Katana and Saber Designs Draw From One Another?Kyu-gunto (bottom) and shin-gunto (top) on a sword rack. Source: Wikimedia CommonsFor most of its history, Japan had little to no contact with the various European nations except for Portugal and the Netherlands. When Commodore Matthew Perry landed in Tokyo Harbor in 1854, Japan was forced for the first time in over two centuries to open its ports to the outside world. The exposure to modernized technology drove the Japanese to aggressively pursue a program of modernization and emulation of the Western world. The samurai class was abolished and prohibited from wearing swords.As Japan developed a nationalized military, they equipped their officers with sabers at first; then merged the design elements with traditional katana. The resulting sword was called the kyu-gunto. It had a closed handguard and shorter grip, as well as a shorter blade. Kyu-gunto and other military swords post-Meiji were made on an industrial scale for equipping officers, gradually replaced by shin-gunto, which more closely resembled a traditional katana. Some officers who came from samurai families would bring their family katana into battle.There is little to no evidence of the katanas design influencing Western swords on a widespread scale, although individual swordsmiths may have incorporated aspects they found appealing.