How to Use a Katana?

Katanas are useless without proper skills. That being said, if you even have surface-level knowledge about swords, then you would agree that the right technique of using a sword is just as important as the blade quality of a sword. Everything from holding a sword to the right performing action is crucial.

But when we talk about using a Katana, that’s a whole new level of handling a sword. Katanas are special; like that, they require a special skill set to use them properly. Different blade designs can mitigate important factors like the blade type, alignment, and edge.

The right skill set gets you to the right momentum for the blade and even gets you beyond its true capabilities. In the case of Katana, we start by mimicking samurais. This article will provide you with the right knowledge of using Katana. So, let’s get right into it.

Why Katana skill is important even if you know how to use a Sword

Katana for sale is made for fast combats. They require a different speeding action. Many attacks and guards, indeed, are the same. There are still many techniques that can only be performed with a longsword, such as longsword fencing, which would not be effective with a katana due to the specific features of the longsword.

Unlike longsword techniques that rely on the false (back) edge, katanas have only one edge. Katanas also have different balances, affecting how they are handled.

Katanas have a curved edge that helps force proper edge alignment, so if you’re used to other swords, you might have problems aligning the edges.

How to Use Katana, A simple DIY

Here, we will demonstrate some basic skills, from holding Katana to doing cool actions.

Hold it correctly

The first thing you do while using any tool or weapon is to start by holding it the right way. Using a Katana properly means holding it correctly – because, as everyone knows, mass multiplied by speed equals cutting power.

The good news is that it isn’t difficult.

A right-handed grip involves holding the hand guard with a relaxed and firm grip, primarily using the bottom three fingers of each hand, about an inch from the hand guard.

Keeping edges aligned is key!

Despite fluffing up the correct slicing action and strangling the grip until your knuckles turn white, good edge alignment and enough speed can work wonders.

On the other hand, if you use the correct cutting technique and hold it correctly but don’t align the edge from the target correctly, either you’ll scoop your cut or lose control and completely mess it up (possibly bending your blade).

Katanas should be held the right way and in the right position to ensure correct edge alignment – though it is something you should constantly strive to improve.

To practice this, you must align the edges perfectly, move at the right speed, and use your sharpest blades.

The Cutting Action

When cutting with a katana, you need to hold the weapon in a specific way and move it in a specific manner. To cut effectively, the curve must make contact at the right angle. We are not discussing edge alignment here but the angle created between the sword and the target.

Due to Katana’s curved blade, even if this angle were the same for the longsword, the hands would be positioned differently since a longsword’s blade is straight, resulting in different angles and spacing.

Swinging Katana with Elegance

To swing the Katana, use your left hand for most of your power and your right hand for guidance and control. You can use both hands and your full strength

 for a powerful strike.

You can make many swings with Katana, but you should start with simple downward strikes or diagonal left and right strikes. You can feel these from the top of your right shoulder to your left hip and vice versa.

Conclusion

Since Japanese Katana is not very curved, it requires a different momentum. Also, Katana is a light and very sharp blade, which explains why it is preferable in intense combat fights.

For fluidity and endurance with swords, move them very slowly until you build muscles, and even a 2 handed sword like a katana will not be a problem.

There’s no need for anything else. You’ll be free of style constraints once you know how to do that.