Whilst both have distinct fighting styles, techniques, weapons and armor. It mainly depends on the skill of the warrior, IMO if were to pit a normal Knight blade vs a averagely trained Samurai I’d say the battles could easily go either way.
Samurai armor is far lighter, and allows for more flexibility, but as Nihilus said, knights have a good defensive advantage that simply cannot be overlooked.
Knight armor is DAMN HEAVY but tough too, and samurai armor can be 'stripped', or taken apart during a battle or beforehand. Allowing the warrior to move around faster, but at a disadvantage in defense.
Swords, the knight sword would be strong and rugged, most likely used for stabbing motions if a longsword. That would be an advantage against the samurai. Mainly because the sword will hit a plate and could slide upwards through a groove between two plates. Killing the enemy. While a samurai sword is more or less for hacking and slashing. It’s lighter and faster, the blade is sharp and would most likely bounce off or slide across the knights armor. However, the samurai warrior would most likely be carrying a dagger, if the samurai were to ever get behind the knight, being faster after all, the knight would go down as their armor is usually weaker from behind. Or the Samurai would find an opening and use that.
A final note, the knight may be carrying a shield, but the samurai will most likely be more prepared with a 1 on 1 battle. So this is how I see it. (still seeing the battle going either way honestly)
Knight - Strength/Defense Note: May drop shield for faster reactions, fatigue can way heavily from armor weight
Samurai - Speed/Battle Knowledge Note: May carry a dagger, can strip armor for better movement and faster attacks
One last thing you need to remember, a knight was never trained to fight a samurai, or vice versa. So both will most likely be unprepared for the battle. It could also depend on who sees who first, what position they are in, the distance between the two, etc.
One more thing before I log out. Let’s not forget that both sides have the use of arrow for an aerial attack. And that both sides also have special weapons, abilities, and uses for a battle such as this.
For example, an army of knights would have cannons and catapults to assault the samurai before engaging in close combat, while the samurai have the element of surprise, using the battlefield to their advantage as much as possible.
That it would, though a 1 on 1 battle is different as you have explained, but let’s just make this a huge battle between both knights and samurai to make this more exciting and interesting. We need more debates like this.
Samurai had far better swords because they combined metals and knew how to layer the metal when creating the sword. That is why European swords consistently shattered when put up against smaller and lighter Asian swords. They fit several times the strength of a European sword into a thinner and lighter but more durable and far stronger sword.
It would be quite easy for a samurai sword to slash through a knight’s armor.
In a massive battle with just the troops, no siege or aerial weapons. I’d say the Samurai would win. Simply because they are trained to work together and will even fight in groups to cover each others back. While knights would more then likely fight alone, one enemy at a time. This leaves them more vulnerable then a group of samurai working together.
So I’d go with the samurai for this.
BUT, if aerial or siege weapons were used, the knights could win. Catapults could breaking up the samurai groups and ranks. Leaving them disarranged and even confused. Knight Archers could pick off commanders and the elite soldiers before they even get to swordplay. With a broken enemy force, the knights could run in and kill what’s left.
However, samurai had explosives, early ones mind you, but still deadly if used correctly. Ancient grenades and fireworks. If the samurai were on a hill, they would roll the grenades down and kill many knights. Fireworks could scare them into running from battle, mind you, this would be many a years ago. (yes, this was used as a war tactic more then once, yes, it worked too)
Online Predator wrote:
SAMURAI SWORDS WILL NOT BOUNCE OFF ARMOR.
Samurai had far better swords because they combined metals and knew how to layer the metal when creating the sword. That is why European swords consistently shattered when put up against smaller and lighter Asian swords. They fit several times the strength of a European sword into a thinner and lighter but more durable and far stronger sword.
It would be quite easy for a samurai sword to slash through a knight’s armor.
That’s why I said it could bounce off. I’m really just guessing as I type this. If what you say is true, then the Samurai would be a formidable foe.
NihilusRavager7780 wrote:
One more thing before I log out. Let’s not forget that both sides have the use of arrow for an aerial attack. And that both sides also have special weapons, abilities, and uses for a battle such as this.
For example, an army of knights would have cannons and catapults to assault the samurai before engaging in close combat, while the samurai have the element of surprise, using the battlefield to their advantage as much as possible.
Who invented gunpowder? The Chinese. Japan had gunpowder before Europe. The Chinese should be thanked for cannons.
Online Predator wrote:
SAMURAI SWORDS WILL NOT BOUNCE OFF ARMOR.
Samurai had far better swords because they combined metals and knew how to layer the metal when creating the sword. That is why European swords consistently shattered when put up against smaller and lighter Asian swords. They fit several times the strength of a European sword into a thinner and lighter but more durable and far stronger sword.
It would be quite easy for a samurai sword to slash through a knight’s armor.
Think of it as The Lord of The Rings vs The Last Samurai. In other words, The armies of Middle Earth(excluding Sauron’s armies), led by Aragorn and Gandalf, and the Samurai led by Nathan Algren and Katsumoto.
NihilusRavager7780 wrote:
Think of it as The Lord of The Rings vs The Last Samurai. In other words, The armies of Middle Earth(excluding Sauron’s armies), led by Aragorn and Gandalf, and the Samurai led by Nathan Algren and Katsumoto.
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