I did not know the details of the shape of the katana.
Thank you for teaching me something new !!
This is (for me) a good day
R
.
PeterZ wrote:
The primary difference between the katana and western swords is the way the edge is sharpened.
The katana is sharpened in a convex "V". The sides bulge out and then curve into the edge. The effect is to push the object it is cutting into away from the blade. That allows the sword to pass through with less friction.
Western blades are sharpened with straighter sides on the "V". Western blades tend to be thinner at the edge. The effect is that the blade as a greater surface area in contact with what is being cut. Between this and the thinner blade up to the edge that breaks easier, the western style blades are indeed less effective at lopping off extremities.