One thing you have to keep in mind is that the nodachi was used against mounted opponents. As such the balance and geometry changes to match the different purpose.
"Do samurai on their horses keep cutting you down? Spears chopped, blades just can't reach? Introducing the nodaichi! A sword long enough to make them regret being stuck on a horse (that YOU will be killing soon!), with too many weapons and not enough armor to take the hit!" Or "All out of fell beasts? The Witch King just needed a nodaichi and Théoden would have been his the first time!"
Yup. It is not really made for 1-on-1 melee combat although it can be quite fearsome in that too under skilled hands. It is used to cleave passing cavalry units, chop the legs of running horses and so on.
I have to add, apparently straight bladed nodachis also existed. One of the dudes who Musashi dueled was said to fight with one. We do not know if the sword was ruler straight like a hollywood Ninjato but it was straight enough that it warranted a mention and even got a nickname referencing that, pole something. I guess that geometry made it more manageable at dueling, more similar to western great swords. 🤔
That means doing large horizontal slashes which would be better done with a claymore that doesn't rotate. The context of why they exist doesn't make them the best for that job. The large cross guard and the ability to grab a claymore above the crossguard means you can engage mounted enemies in more different ways. The extra mass makes lopping off a leg easier and you can more easily defend yourself or go for the rider or use it more like a spear. Nothing beats a wall of pikemen for anti cavalry but if I had to face a mounted enemy with a sword I'd choose a claymore over anything else.
Finding a quality Nodachi is amazingly hard. They are rare to find on market, period, and then to find one with quality is even rarer. I've been looking off and on for at least a decade and not found anything to settle on. That said, $1K is a bit high for what is just a carbon blade in cheap features. $550-$650 is the fair price point if it is going to be a scaled up version of a $250-350 functional katana. Rarity and, I assume, the lower volume could justify another $100 if they are likely to sit on inventory for long periods of time. Would love a good horse cutter, though, so I'll keep on looking. Thanks for the review!
I've been looking for a little bit, too, and I'm mostly just worried about this thing snapping in half and killing someone. I've seen some with great reviews but some are juuust sketchy enough to sow doubt in my mind and I hold off. PLEASE let me know if you get a lead.
Seeing the phrase "horse cutter" reminded me of a Chinese sword that, when translate from Chinese to English, literally mean horse slicer, as it is designed specifically in countering horse- riding troops.
@@samuraijackson241 The Zhanmadao or Zhanmajian (depending on if it is single edged like a No-dachi or double edged). Pretty much the same thing and with a similar purpose - adding reach due to cavalry and infantry being too far apart for normal sword lengths.
I recommend doing a lot of research and then telling them what you exactly want. Especially researching the measurements of original unshortened blades (not the ridiculous large blades used as shrine offerings) be clear about it and use the correct terms and you will often get really good working swords for surprisingly small amount of money. Also recommend very standard tachi fittings since the fancy ones aren't worth it imo. Use modern steel. They would have done the same if they had access to it anyways. Also they probably weren't used to cut horse i cant remember any source. Rather against infantry and as bodyguards.
I believe, iirc, nodachi weren't all that popular with samurai at the time. They were apparently unwieldy to the users and they really liked having extra handle like on a naginata or yari. Thus, the handles were made longer and longer until they eventually created the Nagamaki, a sword/polearm that was half handle and half blade.
@@phileas007 A two handed sword is a waste of steel if you're only using half of it. Might as well make half of it handle. That gives you more ways to grip it too.
They were actually popular there are schools today that are known for their nodachi, this sword here is not accurate to a real one, that is not the reason for the nagamaki, nodachi even influence designs in other countries such as wodao(now name miao dao),stop listening to Shad already.
I've always read that the nodachi was a specialty weapon in samurai warfare, much like the greatsword or war sword was in Europe, mainly used to defend gates, break spear formations, or cut the legs from under charging cavalry horses.
The Nodachi is an interesting one. It seems to be far less forgiving than a straight longsword or even another katana. That curve and weight really does screw with things.
The thing that's really screwing with it is the tiny handle. Look up other examples of a nodachi and you can see they have a way longer handle so you can actually have control over the blade.
@@synthemagician4686 I think people get thrown off by historical ones that are reduced to just the tang, thinking that's the handle length. Though... I was also told that they were historically made just to show off, with the non-serious idea being that you'd wield one against a horse.
@@synthemagician4686 The nodachi I've used have had a handle somewhere in the 40-45cm range, and the extra length does help with leverage. Trying to use one with a katana-length grip sounds less than ideal.
@@KairuHakubipour sûr ! C'était probablement des lâmes avant tout destinées à montrer la richesse et le pouvoir d'un seigneur au combat. N'importe quel type de vouge ferait mieux le travail anti-cavalerie.
@@KairuHakubi pretty sure the nodachi was made to be wielded while ON a horse. standard katana are too short to hit somebody thats on foot while youre on horseback
Thank you Shad, that is quite a sword! Weren't those huge Nodachi swords originally intended for cavalry or Samurai horsemen? I feel like it would be useful for someone fighting from horseback. You have all the coolest toys! 🙂
There is a LOT or variation. Some nodachi were literally twice the length of his sword. Some of them have handles over 1/3 of the length of the blades, others only 1/4 of the length of the blade. Sometimes they would cut a piece off the tang to shorten the thing. I'd say it is less than typical for a nodachi, but not so small that it would be "wrong", in my opinion. Not that it seems to be trying to be particularly traditional anyway.
yep, from what I know, Nodachi are low quality warblades that are normally longer than the length of a man's height. (so that it won't hurt to destroy part of it to make it usable at close quarters)
Shad: *gets a Nodachi* Also Shad: *grows longer hair, gets taller, and has a Black Angel wing (singular) sprouting from his back. As well as gaining magical powers*
@@jacobweatherford4696 Actually, I just hold it in a relaxed Side Guard and work defensively. Watch the opponents movements and force them to step into your massive swing arc or step forward into an upswing and take the opponent by surprise. Usually, I just step back and counter with a downward strike, followed with a thrust, if the option is available. It's a more responsive style than an aggressive one.
I made a Nodachi back in the 70's using a Claymore ingot. 37"x2.5"x.25" spine spring tempered. I've recently broken it down to fuller it and make a pommeled two handed Rapierish guard. Talk about an actual Bastard Sword!!! My blade weighs twice that. I will probably sleeve the grip and fill the last few inches with lead.
I recommend Hanbon forge for a comparison, they have a nodachi which is significantly cheaper and has a longer handle. The one that you have looks like a regular katana handle which is weird
I got a semi custom odachi from swords of northshire for around 700 a few years back. It's held up very well, so I'd definitely say 900 is on the higher end of usable odachis on the market. They typically range from 500 to 1300 for something that isn't a wall hanger from what I've seen
Cloudhammer's steel types are typically a little more specialized than just some straight 1095 or whatever you'd get at most vendors. Their Sx105v in particular is fantastic durability/edge retention/scratch resistance. They typically offer them in 39" Nagasa, and 49" nagasa, which are also a little longer than the 34" nagasa that's much more popular to offer.
Anyone else notice how much more comfortably Tyranth holds the nodachi or whatever it’s called as compared to Shad at the start of the video? He takes and grips it with such confidence, holding it firmly and not really adjusting his grip much. What a showman.
@@DavidSmith-vr1nb I don’t think the chronic fatigue is really applicable here considering they were just, at this point, holding the sword. Besides, I by no means intended that to be a slight against Shad. Even without the fatigue I think we would still see this difference in their individual presentation. This is because Shad is clearly more laid back I think while Tyranth seems to take a lot of pride in every aspect of what he does, not that Shad doesn’t of course. In the end it’s their presentation that’s different.
Well that was neat. I actually got a custom odachi as well just recently. It was pretty cool watching the look on tyrinth's face when he realized what I did. The length on that blade makes the curve SO much more pronounced, and it just begs the blade to fall to either side, almost fighting against your alightnment.
I think a better price comparison is the newer windlass Royal Armouries two handed sword, as it's a better historical geometry and the price reflects that. I think that one is 800$ish.
any chance you guys can talk about the Nagamaki? i dont think a single video exists which goes into any kind of depth with that particular blade and its a shame because its such an interesting sword in design.
There is an online seller of swords called Samurai Swords, they have nodachis/odachis as well and the highest priced ones are $640 pre-tax and shipping. They also have custom swords including custom nodachis, and I think that it would be interesting to see what you guys would come up with using the custom sword option and a certain budget and then put it to the test. Budget permitting of course, but I just thought that I'd throw this information out there.
@@gazza8234 A shame that you cannot get a tsurugi (japanese double edged sword) anywhere. Now that would be a very interesting comparison to a European long sword or arming sword.
If Ibremember correctly, these katanas were used by lords on horseback and had to be carried by a squire or bearer on the field because it's too long to pull from the sheath by yourself. I've always thought of wny not use some gears and springs to create a trigger-opened sheath for the Nodachi. Like, I get how *_SUPER EDGY_* the idea sounds, but I'm thinking a case that pops the top half open with a trigger press on the guard and closes when the blade's spine is pressed back into the sheath. And have the lower half be completely sealed, since the problem is that pulling out all the way is gonna mess with your shoulder. Allow the upper half spring open with the lower half being intact, almost similar to a sideways-sliding music box with a split top.
@kagemushashien8394 that's what I was saying: split the top to open sideways to allow an easier draw. My apologies, I think I flubbed something in explaining the idea.
@@b3rz3rk3r9 Well, I thought you were saying like put some sort of machine mechanism that has springs in the sheath, but hey, that's gonna be a great idea for the game I'm making, it's Medieval Steampunkish, a great way to sheath Heavy weapons, let's say, Grand swords like a longer Nodachi.
@kagemushashien8394 the spring mechanism idea might be for the spine. A panel at the back end to assist closing the top back together when sheathing the sword that'll pull the other sides down. The lock would be on the sword itself, ideally. After all, the locking mechanism couldn't realistically work on the sheath since you'd need to have devices working perfectly in tandem. Ideally, a trigger that pulls down the locking pins for a quick release. And to hold it together outside of combat: some latches on the opening parts like an old wooden chest or clock. And keeping it dry is simple: go old school and wrap it in a thick decorative cloth like other katana.
I bought a d30 specifically so I could use a Nodachi in D&D 2E (I believe). It started of doing a d20 damage, but there was either something with the weapon or a spell that could cause you to "increase the damage die". If you didn't have a d30, then it would have to go up to a d100 which was never allowed for obvious reasons.
Interesting. The most crazy games I know regarding use of different dice are Earthdawn and Warhammer 40K 2nd edition. Most likely Rogue Trader aka 1st edition too.
Nodachi requires much greater skill than kantanas etc They are absolutely not the same type of sword they might look like they are but they are not. In the right hands a nodachi is devastatingly effective
I would love to see Shad's opinion on the absolute beast of a sword known as the Chinese war sword. The sword which was used by Chinese peasants during the many Chinese/Mongolian wars was a hecking chonka. The one I own is shorter than the Katana, and the tip is 6.4 cm across (2 inches across). There is no other weapon that hits like a truck to me than the Chinese War Sword
Specifically the dynastic models, there’s a military saber that evolved from it that was used till ww2 that a heckin chonka as well, would hate to be out of ammo and facing down one of those da dao charges 😮
Personally, a thousand dollar sword would be a bucket list purchase. The item had bst fit the price. That being said, it's a lot of blade! I feel it would benefit from a longer handle. Could you please give a thought to doing a series on modifying cheap blades to what you want?? I've made a tomahawk out of a 12 dollar carpenter hatchet, and turned a meyerco machete axe thing into a parang/golok because that's what I wanted. Buy inexpensive and make it your own
When dealing with the weightyness and handling, keep in mind the 'proscribed' movements for the blade- they were not often used in chopping cuts, I believe, as the entire katana shape was meant for more flowing draw-cuts rather than chops. The goal was for maximum blade-in-contact time, to let the edge slice, rather than impactful splitting chops.
I have heard that Nodachi are very unusual swords and in Japan there are specialized techniques for using them. I wonder how the performance would change if the edge was properly sharpened and you study Nodachi techniques.
@@SeanCrosser I was referring to their criticisms of its balance and wielding. For cutting, it was pretty good when you consider the edge was not evenly sharpened.
That is a interesting Nodachi... the hilt is actually quite short! Usually a Nodachi has a longer hilt, sometimes twice as big as a Katana hilt, to counter balance the blades weight. Not to be confused with the Nagamaki, which is half blade, half hilt! You might want to check out a Nodachi with a little longer hilt!
the issue u guy are having is that the nodachi isnt a "cleaving" sword, its built more for a carving motion. so when u swing it u cant swing it like a english sword. u gotta do almost a drawing back motion if that makes sense, think less cut and more slice if u will
The Nodachi was "mostly" used (around edo) in show performances, so they used tricks to draw the sword by turning around whilst grabbing the blade for a short second while pulling it out. afaik
They weren't,you find actual schools that teach how to use nodachi from the sengoku period today, ming dynasty manuals also show how to use swords that were directly influenced by nodachi, its use continued well into the qing dynasty.
The wiggle he felt from swinging the nodachi was from it being spring-steel, no? There is a reason why it functions better as a hardened single-edged sword. I know you like spring-still better but its not "only pros and no cons" in the dichotomy of spring steel to hardened steel.
It seems to me that they are not seeing the true purpose of the nodachi, it is a sword to give mostly downward vertical cuts followed by upward and horizontal cuts, not to give inclined cuts, that is why it becomes so unbalanced when giving inclined cuts, but it is good to make horizontal cuts and especially vertical cuts downwards, that is how it cuts best. It's not for quick cuts either, but rather a very powerful sweep. I think they evaluated the nodachi more than anything on things it's not made for. Edit: In addition, the handle of that nodachi is very short, generally the handle of the nodachi is longer to allow better handling of the sword
@@Koushakur Yes, but anyone who watches this video thinks that the nodachi is very bad, they even said that a sword has never disappointed them so much, but in reality it is good, they are just using it wrong
@@felx233 TBH there might be some bias there but: a) fittings were getting loose on the handle. Objective issue; b) factual observations are still important - if the sword wants to roll in a particular way and makes it harder for them to cut with, then for the reviewers it is a factual issue for them and thus it is a problem in their review; c) it is not just about "how to use a nodachi right". This sword, simply put, is not worth a 1000$. Cheap fittings hurt the review. That's an objective issue; d) the sharpness or edge retention was uneven. That is an objective issue; e) "Edit: In addition, the handle of that nodachi is very short, generally the handle of the nodachi is longer to allow better handling of the sword" In your own words, this sword has a badly made handle. That is also an objective issue; f) if you dislike how the sword handles, and it is not objectively the fault of how the sword is made, it is STILL remains an issue. Even if this is subjective and reactions will be different if you know/don't know how to use said sword, it just blatently tells you that it is not easy to use. If you need specific technique to make it work properly then the weapon is getting more complex, which is not great. Simpler and easier to train with usually means better. This point is highly subjective tho; g) If they stated that no other sword disappointed them so much, then clearly in their opinion that is how they feel about said sword. They have to convey what they think otherwise this review would be... well... a big fat lie?
@@zwidowca1 My main language is not English, so I had a hard time understanding it, but I did my best. For me that nodachi is not very well made, the handle of a nodachi would have to be much longer, that handle is that of an average katana, and the handle of a nodachi should be lengthened, since if you lengthen the blade you must also lengthen the handle, if it does not become too unbalanced I'm not saying that the nodachi is very difficult to use, what I'm saying is that above all that nodachi in the video is not made for certain things, mainly with that short handle it is not going to be very good for making inclined cuts, nor for making quick cuts. , but these things were mainly evaluated in the video. I also have the feeling that the claymore was sharper compared to the nodachi, I don't know if that nodachi had a good edge, because of the damage it did with the foam tubes, it doesn't seem to me that it was very sharp
I'm considering making a sleeved grip for my Nodachi and filling the last few inches with lead for balance. My blade is probably twice the weight with a 1/4" spine and 2 1/2"section of a 42" blade unfullered. I have it broken down for a more Rapierish 2 handed handle and fullering the blade.
I own a double layered handle, shirasaya in dark red, and it is single pinned. The double layer handle makes it so that you can seriously use the sword, without the handle cracking . But I have removed the pin before and cannot get the blade to come our of the handle. So, if it is made right, a single pin is great.
Yeah double-pinning is mostly a security measure more so than stability. Properly made sword would have the filed tang rusted-in, and stick very well to the tsuka core.
@@SeanCrosser and even more, is that is got this sword for under 100 dollars on Amazon. It's 1045 high carbon steel. Holds a decent edge. But it doesn't have a hamon. I was surprised about it once I really examined it. It was intentionally designed to be seriously used instead or like other shirasaya that are single layered and handles crack.
just wanted to say ive been around since the earlier days of shad when it was just the man in the chair, and personally ive only enjoyed this content more and more, to me each video is better than the last and tyranth is my new wifu
so you had said it in an earlier video and pretty much alluded to it again here. Nodachi is very likely not a linguistic slide from ōdachi. the ō in ōdachi means that it is a long vowel (properly spelt in hiragana it is おお) which is a prefix meaning "Big" that is where you are correct in assuming that ōdachi (おおだち) or in Kanji 大太刀 means "Big tachi". Nodachi however uses the Kanji 野 as it's first kanji representing the "no" phonetic. this Kanji can't stand alone and is typically in front of words that have something to do with a field. an example is baseball which is Yakyuu (野球) or more importantly battlefield 野戦 Yasan (the Kanji can also represent a Ya phonetic like seen in these words because.. well because kanji goona be kanji). the most widely accepted theory on the word nodachi is that it uses the kanji for field to take on the meaning broadly of "field sword". most dictionaries etc will tell you that the word means something along the lines of "extra long sword" because frankly that's what it means, but the explanation of how the word came to be is most likely what I had outlined above.
Mostly correct but 野 can stand alone and simply mean field. And as you probably know the reason for all the different pronunciations is that Kanji are a wierd mix of spoken Japanese with Chinese characters. And later they also merged some when they tried to cut down their number.
so a couple things to point out at 8:00 they went into how the tips were made on traditional katana, now i have seen the smiths at work when they make them and the tips are actually forged into shape, rather then ground in, the only grinding done is to get the edge and polish after hardening so the smith is required to shape in everything with a hand hammer. Of course this level of skill would only be found on the highest end katanas which generally price(these are for true authentic katana) of around 2 grand at the least. second at 8:40 they discuss the fitting known as the Koiguchi typically made out of some kind of tusk or horn such as from an elephant as metal is NEVER used in the koiguchi in traditional katanas since tahamaganae steel loses its edge quite easily if not properly maintained. that is it, thank you for listening to my ted talk.
Try wet paper rolls they have more weight than pool noodles. When newspapers were still a thing these were cheap options for target cutting. But one can get brown paper rolls from hardware stores of differents length.
Seeing you guys so happy about this also makes me real happy, glad you got to play around with that! It looks gorgeous and the blade seemed to hold up pretty well, though yeah the handle and brassy bits seemed cheap, I do wonder if it would feel any better with a crossguard and pommel. Also I now need to watch that claymore video ♥ Thank you so much Shad and Tyranth, also I see that sneaky lil Nate in the background, sneaking around being a lil sneak!
@@TheSteam02Yes, nodachi and odachi are two words for the same sword. I just wanted to clarify because at about 4:25 of the video, Shad said nodachi means big tachi. That is technically incorrect because nodachi is field tachi. Odachi is big tachi.
Judging from the fittings, that blade is meant to be worn with the blade facing down like traditional tachis before uchigatana (katana) is made with the blade facing up. The tsuka handle is too short for that blade. Too short as if it's just taken off from a standard katana and just fitted to a larger blade that is why it's a bit too top heavy. All in all, it looks great and I hope more odachi/nodachi are made because they are just awesome!
P.S. If you want a Nodachi with a straight, single edge blade... then you can look at the Chinese Chang Dao or Zhanmadao. Both are big, long swords and I think you'll like them. Also, can you review a Naginata? That'll be awesome! Love your videos, keep it up.
So, one thing you always have to keep in mind is that Nodachis were not designed to be used in HEMA... some moves were not performed at all, so saying they feel strange when doing with a Nodachi is understandable. About the cutting part: you guys even said yourselves that the sharpness of upper part of the edge was crappy. So that had a big impact in performance, i think...
lol yeah I mean, that's what reviewers generally do, they usually don't know how to change their standards per piece. But still it's insightful for someone who never fought with swords
My 3.5 DND rouge was a dwarf named Ildi. She made up for her smaller size and lack of range by wielding a Nodachi with the Expertise skill. She had a finishing move where she would turn the blade skyward, impale the enemy, lift them up and let them slide down the blade until they were cut in half.
@@elone4567 yeah i get it, its just that i see people commonly have the notion similar to this where if you are shorter, use a longer weapon to make up for it which is backwards imo, you should instead use a shield and get in as close as possible where your reach is now an advantage but anyway
Nodachi, or the "Japanese longsword", was mainly used against enemy Calvery units. But with a long blade and only a normal sized handle, that made it harder to control. Meaning all the forward weight would be on the blade's end, and to compensate, you'd have to move along with the blade. Yet in that kind of situation, your movements would look both silly and predictable. And you know what they say about predictability on the battlefield. Then longer handle designs came in, which gave it that proper balance & control. So, if you think this longsword is great, forge one with a longer handle and you'll see what I mean.
When he swings it he's not even swinging it right, your suppose to sink your elbows in during the swing to make a slicing motion. Not just a flat "cut"
Longswords are flat and heavy for mementum based flat cutting. The katana and weapons designed like it were never designed to be used with momentum, its too predictable. Having to twist the curved sword after swinging (because it is a one sided blade) can break momentum, thats why the weight "feels weird"
Shad: now that you've been to England and done videos on English castles, how about making a trip to Japan (a bit closer to Australia)? Could probably do a great number of videos on Japanese castles and sword making on the spot. 🙂
Can you do a review of kingdom hearts combat and there keyblades and how affective they are please. I would like to know your opinion. But the keyblades might have to be a different video there are a lot of them
I do have a Katana that i payes 1k PLN for (so between 200-250 USD) and It is good quality, double pin handle and it does not look bad in terms of artistic. but it was also made in Poland by a blacksmith that trained in japan so it being locally made probably affected the price
So, I spent around 500$ on a 52' nodachi recently (1095 folded steel) nodachi. I had them take the blood grooves off on it. It's made really nice, no complaints thing cuts like a beast. Not sure how you spend twice that much and get less.
You know ... one little thing that you should remember. In medieval times, everyone was trained in a blade and professionals would train daily to exhaustion. Their skills and fitness to swordfighting was in a level that we can't really imagine today.
When wielding a Zweihander, I really like the handle being a quarter of the whole lenght. It gives enough space to place your hands apart for leverage. The hilt on the nodachi looks somewhat smaller, even for the proportions of this sword.
I wonder if the curve gives the blade more durability when striking against hard targets since it is structured in a way to counteract the blade bending forward.
1 pin is not an issue IF the handle is fitted well to the tang. If the handle is fitted well, it won't even easily come out without the pin. Putting 2 pins in is a rather new trend. Most historic blades only had one pin and the samurai were fine with going to war with em. Sometimes they would take old blades with just one hole and put a second hole in the tang to add a second pin. It's probably more traditional to have just one pin. 2 pins doesn't hurt, but it is not necessary. Unless you have a mass produced sword where the handle is not fitted to the blade, in that case you probably need 2. Also, it's custom made isn't it? They'd probably add a second pin for no extra cost if you want two.
I think the sword they went to war with had 2 pins though. Most tachis had 2 pins while most katanas had 1 pin and katanas were mostly worn around in the Edo period, not taken to war. But yes, the whole idea behind the Japanese style hilt construction is that the handle is perfectly fitted to the tang and contacts the tang all around on all surfaces as evenly as possible, so the pin really just keeps it from sliding off. If your handle is not fitted properly, it will put pressure on the pin instead and that wooden pin has no chance with that kind of shock.
That spring steel blade is doing all the heavy lifting on this sword in terms of quality. They took filet mignon, over cooked it, and served it with a side of canned store brand beans. My take away from this is it's a decent sword if you can tame it and you don't have to pay for it.
My instinct when you guys first discussed the price, and went over the basic fit and finish would have been if it were at most about 750ish, there'd more easily be a market for it, the 200ish difference between that and the price they charge, would be enough to either overlook, or get yourself some nice fittings and upgrade your blade.
Took long enough, love seeing variety of swords and weapons. Do you think you’ll cover more modern weapons like super early guns or some other uncommon weapons?
Hi Shad and team, since you have been covering a lot of Katanas and Japanese Style sword. I would like you to talk about the NAGAMAKI next. It basically is an older variation of the Nodachi mainly used around the XII y XIV Century. Instead of a long blade they made it so you have a longer handle (more like a half spear or a Naginata). I Strongly believe that the Nagamaki is way better than the Nodachi because it maintains the reach of a Nodachi while getting rid of the obvious weakness that comes with a large piece of steel. Thanks in advance
Well, I understand that it's a sword test and review and not the wielders. I understand that ease of use is the property of the weapon that defines the objective advantage. But I cant think of you both lacking in technique of using it. It was meant to slice, not hit things. But you used it as a cleaver. It was painful to watch at so many levels...
What are you expecting them to do? Glide the blade along what they're cutting? Most katanas "chop" just fine, as is a sword's nature as a martial weapon.
My understanding of Nodachi is that it was used more like a spear than a sword, since it's anti cavalry weapon, not magical cutting through army in one blow weapon :)
Honestly, I think that the handle on that nodachi is not long enough. Handle curvature is alright, but they were usually a bit more curved since they descend from the tachi (BTW, that tachi is "not tachi enough" IMO). That's probably why you had some problems with keeping edge aligment.
Good alternatives for tatami mats are rolled up cardboard or newspapers, typically soaked with water to make them more dense, bound with tape or something
17:16 Visually speaking, those motions just look gorgeous with the Katana, the way its curved blade flows with the movements is so satisfying to look at.
Shad again liked the swords the longway😁 The handles/guard being cheap sucks though and shouldn't be a grand over if the hilt is already coming undone.
I would be very interested to see nodachi treatises, because I feel like this is a sword that does require specific training and techniques that aren't necessarily transferrable or even intuitive if you are used to straight swords or even shorter katanas. Like how a European greatsword, you wield it in a very different fashion from even a two-handed longsword. There are specific methodologies and techniques for some kinds of swords, and the nodachi must have something that isn't intuitively reasoned out. Because if it was just not a good sword, it wouldn't have seen real use in actual warfare, and that's not the case historically.
Shad No japanese styles uses sideway cuts with rotation. You handle it like a double edged sword, Dont. But there is a reason why nodachi and oodachi was used actively for less than 100 years, instead they moved into the temples and was used in ceremonies.
26:00 I think the larger problem is Shad was still standing too far away. Even after they talk about the katana being better suited to cut in the middle, he seems to use the tip to cut. If you go frame-by-frame, it looks like the tip of the blade is in the last pool noodle, which would explain why it wasn't cut as well.
Saw some nodachi katanas from Cold Steel and Ritten Steel at around $500, so it's fair to say that's the average price. And then again, comparing them to European swords of similar size is not unreasonable at all; and if we want to go this route, then by comparison, Japanese swords tend to be less expensive than similar sized European swords anyways especially if they cut corners...
The real question is this, how much better will the Nodachi be if you give it a long sword hilt?
OdaGreat (odachi great sword)
Still not as good at cutting due to the curved profile
Pretty sure it would throw the balance off
Sounds like fun
So... like the Mihawk's sword?
One thing you have to keep in mind is that the nodachi was used against mounted opponents. As such the balance and geometry changes to match the different purpose.
"Do samurai on their horses keep cutting you down? Spears chopped, blades just can't reach? Introducing the nodaichi! A sword long enough to make them regret being stuck on a horse (that YOU will be killing soon!), with too many weapons and not enough armor to take the hit!"
Or
"All out of fell beasts? The Witch King just needed a nodaichi and Théoden would have been his the first time!"
Yup. It is not really made for 1-on-1 melee combat although it can be quite fearsome in that too under skilled hands. It is used to cleave passing cavalry units, chop the legs of running horses and so on.
I have to add, apparently straight bladed nodachis also existed. One of the dudes who Musashi dueled was said to fight with one. We do not know if the sword was ruler straight like a hollywood Ninjato but it was straight enough that it warranted a mention and even got a nickname referencing that, pole something. I guess that geometry made it more manageable at dueling, more similar to western great swords. 🤔
Not relevant. The differences are a _consequence_ of greater reach, not engineering specific to fighting mounted opponents.
That means doing large horizontal slashes which would be better done with a claymore that doesn't rotate.
The context of why they exist doesn't make them the best for that job.
The large cross guard and the ability to grab a claymore above the crossguard means you can engage mounted enemies in more different ways. The extra mass makes lopping off a leg easier and you can more easily defend yourself or go for the rider or use it more like a spear.
Nothing beats a wall of pikemen for anti cavalry but if I had to face a mounted enemy with a sword I'd choose a claymore over anything else.
Finding a quality Nodachi is amazingly hard. They are rare to find on market, period, and then to find one with quality is even rarer. I've been looking off and on for at least a decade and not found anything to settle on.
That said, $1K is a bit high for what is just a carbon blade in cheap features. $550-$650 is the fair price point if it is going to be a scaled up version of a $250-350 functional katana. Rarity and, I assume, the lower volume could justify another $100 if they are likely to sit on inventory for long periods of time.
Would love a good horse cutter, though, so I'll keep on looking. Thanks for the review!
I've been looking for a little bit, too, and I'm mostly just worried about this thing snapping in half and killing someone. I've seen some with great reviews but some are juuust sketchy enough to sow doubt in my mind and I hold off. PLEASE let me know if you get a lead.
Seeing the phrase "horse cutter" reminded me of a Chinese sword that, when translate from Chinese to English, literally mean horse slicer, as it is designed specifically in countering horse- riding troops.
Honestly might be better off forging your own nodachi out of spring steel or T10.
@@samuraijackson241 The Zhanmadao or Zhanmajian (depending on if it is single edged like a No-dachi or double edged).
Pretty much the same thing and with a similar purpose - adding reach due to cavalry and infantry being too far apart for normal sword lengths.
I recommend doing a lot of research and then telling them what you exactly want. Especially researching the measurements of original unshortened blades (not the ridiculous large blades used as shrine offerings) be clear about it and use the correct terms and you will often get really good working swords for surprisingly small amount of money. Also recommend very standard tachi fittings since the fancy ones aren't worth it imo. Use modern steel. They would have done the same if they had access to it anyways.
Also they probably weren't used to cut horse i cant remember any source. Rather against infantry and as bodyguards.
I believe, iirc, nodachi weren't all that popular with samurai at the time. They were apparently unwieldy to the users and they really liked having extra handle like on a naginata or yari. Thus, the handles were made longer and longer until they eventually created the Nagamaki, a sword/polearm that was half handle and half blade.
Probably mostly a price issue
@@phileas007 A two handed sword is a waste of steel if you're only using half of it. Might as well make half of it handle. That gives you more ways to grip it too.
nagamaki is the most underrated weapon ever
i fuxking love mine
They were actually popular there are schools today that are known for their nodachi, this sword here is not accurate to a real one, that is not the reason for the nagamaki, nodachi even influence designs in other countries such as wodao(now name miao dao),stop listening to Shad already.
I've always read that the nodachi was a specialty weapon in samurai warfare, much like the greatsword or war sword was in Europe, mainly used to defend gates, break spear formations, or cut the legs from under charging cavalry horses.
The Nodachi is an interesting one. It seems to be far less forgiving than a straight longsword or even another katana. That curve and weight really does screw with things.
The thing that's really screwing with it is the tiny handle. Look up other examples of a nodachi and you can see they have a way longer handle so you can actually have control over the blade.
@@synthemagician4686 I think people get thrown off by historical ones that are reduced to just the tang, thinking that's the handle length.
Though... I was also told that they were historically made just to show off, with the non-serious idea being that you'd wield one against a horse.
@@synthemagician4686 The nodachi I've used have had a handle somewhere in the 40-45cm range, and the extra length does help with leverage. Trying to use one with a katana-length grip sounds less than ideal.
@@KairuHakubipour sûr ! C'était probablement des lâmes avant tout destinées à montrer la richesse et le pouvoir d'un seigneur au combat. N'importe quel type de vouge ferait mieux le travail anti-cavalerie.
@@KairuHakubi pretty sure the nodachi was made to be wielded while ON a horse. standard katana are too short to hit somebody thats on foot while youre on horseback
Sephiroth wants his display sword back.
"1.64 kg"
That is kind of astonishingly light for a two-handed greatsword.
Seeing the notification for this video immediately made me think "Sephiroth enters the chat".
Shadiroth
Safriroth
I think he did a video on his sword and said that it was pretty good.
@@TsarBomba69420 If Shad's Sephy, then who's the rest of the crew? X'D
@@Undomaranel It's like Smash Bros instead of the original series. IDK who the others are though.
Thank you Shad, that is quite a sword! Weren't those huge Nodachi swords originally intended for cavalry or Samurai horsemen? I feel like it would be useful for someone fighting from horseback. You have all the coolest toys! 🙂
They were used for foot soldiers to cut down horseback foes
@@theZDOMELIKE GUTS FROM BERSERK!?
@@kennethsatria6607 you can’t mention berserk without me having to binge it again, it’s just too good! Howst dare thy
@@theZDOME they were also used on horseback, although rarely because spears were just better for both.
Wow, Shad & Company filmed a lot of videos before Shad's travels to England! I'm impressed.
They definitely put in the work, and you can see how it strengthened their friendships to work a lot together. Manly men stuff.
I'll also add, for the blade length of the nodachi, the handle length looks a bit off, too short compared to historical ones I've seen.
There is a LOT or variation. Some nodachi were literally twice the length of his sword. Some of them have handles over 1/3 of the length of the blades, others only 1/4 of the length of the blade. Sometimes they would cut a piece off the tang to shorten the thing.
I'd say it is less than typical for a nodachi, but not so small that it would be "wrong", in my opinion. Not that it seems to be trying to be particularly traditional anyway.
yep, from what I know, Nodachi are low quality warblades that are normally longer than the length of a man's height. (so that it won't hurt to destroy part of it to make it usable at close quarters)
Shad: *gets a Nodachi*
Also Shad: *grows longer hair, gets taller, and has a Black Angel wing (singular) sprouting from his back. As well as gaining magical powers*
Shadiroth!
Don't forget the black trenchcoat
Just remember to keep your Aerraerasthisess away from him.
Why do I hear boss music?
That nodachi is no where close to the length of the mesamune, which shad did make a video about it.
I personally train with Nodaichi and they are quite amazing as a fencing sword.
I bet they require abit more technique to use than katanas due to their length and slightly heavier weight.
Also being TEN TIMES LONGER may or may not be helpful 😂
_poke poke poke slash Aerith'd_
@@jacobweatherford4696 Actually, I just hold it in a relaxed Side Guard and work defensively. Watch the opponents movements and force them to step into your massive swing arc or step forward into an upswing and take the opponent by surprise. Usually, I just step back and counter with a downward strike, followed with a thrust, if the option is available. It's a more responsive style than an aggressive one.
@@XxSoraMifunexX that sounds similar to one of the zweihander fighting styles
Nodachi when Yesdachi walks in:
I made a Nodachi back in the 70's using a Claymore ingot. 37"x2.5"x.25" spine spring tempered. I've recently broken it down to fuller it and make a pommeled two handed Rapierish guard. Talk about an actual Bastard Sword!!! My blade weighs twice that. I will probably sleeve the grip and fill the last few inches with lead.
I have a shameful guilty pleasure fascination with unholy sword designs that combine west and east... XD
"I actually handled something bigger than this, multiple times...."
-Shad 2023
I recommend Hanbon forge for a comparison, they have a nodachi which is significantly cheaper and has a longer handle. The one that you have looks like a regular katana handle which is weird
i own that sword
it’s wonderful
it is a bit shorter with a blade length or 36”
I got a semi custom odachi from swords of northshire for around 700 a few years back. It's held up very well, so I'd definitely say 900 is on the higher end of usable odachis on the market. They typically range from 500 to 1300 for something that isn't a wall hanger from what I've seen
This is the second most historically accurate Nodachi that I've seen.
Cloudhammer's steel types are typically a little more specialized than just some straight 1095 or whatever you'd get at most vendors. Their Sx105v in particular is fantastic durability/edge retention/scratch resistance. They typically offer them in 39" Nagasa, and 49" nagasa, which are also a little longer than the 34" nagasa that's much more popular to offer.
This is the "That's Not A Knife" for swords.
Anyone else notice how much more comfortably Tyranth holds the nodachi or whatever it’s called as compared to Shad at the start of the video? He takes and grips it with such confidence, holding it firmly and not really adjusting his grip much. What a showman.
Shad has chronic fatigue, Tyranth is taller and a bit younger iirc. Apples to oranges etc.
@@DavidSmith-vr1nb I don’t think the chronic fatigue is really applicable here considering they were just, at this point, holding the sword. Besides, I by no means intended that to be a slight against Shad. Even without the fatigue I think we would still see this difference in their individual presentation. This is because Shad is clearly more laid back I think while Tyranth seems to take a lot of pride in every aspect of what he does, not that Shad doesn’t of course. In the end it’s their presentation that’s different.
Tyranth is a proper weaboo. While Shad was making videos, Tyranth was studying the blade
Well that was neat. I actually got a custom odachi as well just recently. It was pretty cool watching the look on tyrinth's face when he realized what I did. The length on that blade makes the curve SO much more pronounced, and it just begs the blade to fall to either side, almost fighting against your alightnment.
I think a better price comparison is the newer windlass Royal Armouries two handed sword, as it's a better historical geometry and the price reflects that. I think that one is 800$ish.
any chance you guys can talk about the Nagamaki? i dont think a single video exists which goes into any kind of depth with that particular blade and its a shame because its such an interesting sword in design.
There is an online seller of swords called Samurai Swords, they have nodachis/odachis as well and the highest priced ones are $640 pre-tax and shipping. They also have custom swords including custom nodachis, and I think that it would be interesting to see what you guys would come up with using the custom sword option and a certain budget and then put it to the test. Budget permitting of course, but I just thought that I'd throw this information out there.
Yep, I had them custom make me a more biggus nodachi just over a year ago. Thing is a beast, scares the crap out of me 🙂
@@gazza8234 A shame that you cannot get a tsurugi (japanese double edged sword) anywhere. Now that would be a very interesting comparison to a European long sword or arming sword.
Over history there have been weapons that were fielded, but never really refined. The nodachi always felt like one of those.
If Ibremember correctly, these katanas were used by lords on horseback and had to be carried by a squire or bearer on the field because it's too long to pull from the sheath by yourself.
I've always thought of wny not use some gears and springs to create a trigger-opened sheath for the Nodachi. Like, I get how *_SUPER EDGY_* the idea sounds, but I'm thinking a case that pops the top half open with a trigger press on the guard and closes when the blade's spine is pressed back into the sheath. And have the lower half be completely sealed, since the problem is that pulling out all the way is gonna mess with your shoulder. Allow the upper half spring open with the lower half being intact, almost similar to a sideways-sliding music box with a split top.
Or make the sheath open sideways and not upwards.
Might throw off the balance.
@kagemushashien8394 that's what I was saying: split the top to open sideways to allow an easier draw.
My apologies, I think I flubbed something in explaining the idea.
@@b3rz3rk3r9 Well, I thought you were saying like put some sort of machine mechanism that has springs in the sheath, but hey, that's gonna be a great idea for the game I'm making, it's Medieval Steampunkish, a great way to sheath Heavy weapons, let's say, Grand swords like a longer Nodachi.
@kagemushashien8394 the spring mechanism idea might be for the spine. A panel at the back end to assist closing the top back together when sheathing the sword that'll pull the other sides down.
The lock would be on the sword itself, ideally. After all, the locking mechanism couldn't realistically work on the sheath since you'd need to have devices working perfectly in tandem.
Ideally, a trigger that pulls down the locking pins for a quick release. And to hold it together outside of combat: some latches on the opening parts like an old wooden chest or clock.
And keeping it dry is simple: go old school and wrap it in a thick decorative cloth like other katana.
I bought a d30 specifically so I could use a Nodachi in D&D 2E (I believe). It started of doing a d20 damage, but there was either something with the weapon or a spell that could cause you to "increase the damage die". If you didn't have a d30, then it would have to go up to a d100 which was never allowed for obvious reasons.
Interesting. The most crazy games I know regarding use of different dice are Earthdawn and Warhammer 40K 2nd edition. Most likely Rogue Trader aka 1st edition too.
Nodachi requires much greater skill than kantanas etc They are absolutely not the same type of sword they might look like they are but they are not. In the right hands a nodachi is devastatingly effective
Well there is a reason they were specifically made for horseback and never used any other time.
@D.J.60
Not even close to true
With the pool noodle array, the duck tape is actually the hard part of target than the pool noodles. Maybe switch over to masking tape.
I would love to see Shad's opinion on the absolute beast of a sword known as the Chinese war sword. The sword which was used by Chinese peasants during the many Chinese/Mongolian wars was a hecking chonka. The one I own is shorter than the Katana, and the tip is 6.4 cm across (2 inches across). There is no other weapon that hits like a truck to me than the Chinese War Sword
Do you mean like da dao (大刀？）
Specifically the dynastic models, there’s a military saber that evolved from it that was used till ww2 that a heckin chonka as well, would hate to be out of ammo and facing down one of those da dao charges 😮
If I'm correct of the design you're talking about that was not used during any kind of Mongol war that was a much later design.
Personally, a thousand dollar sword would be a bucket list purchase. The item had bst fit the price. That being said, it's a lot of blade! I feel it would benefit from a longer handle. Could you please give a thought to doing a series on modifying cheap blades to what you want?? I've made a tomahawk out of a 12 dollar carpenter hatchet, and turned a meyerco machete axe thing into a parang/golok because that's what I wanted. Buy inexpensive and make it your own
27:41 Good to see Nate wasn't left out of the fun
When dealing with the weightyness and handling, keep in mind the 'proscribed' movements for the blade- they were not often used in chopping cuts, I believe, as the entire katana shape was meant for more flowing draw-cuts rather than chops. The goal was for maximum blade-in-contact time, to let the edge slice, rather than impactful splitting chops.
I have heard that Nodachi are very unusual swords and in Japan there are specialized techniques for using them. I wonder how the performance would change if the edge was properly sharpened and you study Nodachi techniques.
Most of the technique makes a difference when you're facing an opponent. Not so much with cutting tests.
@@SeanCrosser I was referring to their criticisms of its balance and wielding. For cutting, it was pretty good when you consider the edge was not evenly sharpened.
That is a interesting Nodachi... the hilt is actually quite short! Usually a Nodachi has a longer hilt, sometimes twice as big as a Katana hilt, to counter balance the blades weight. Not to be confused with the Nagamaki, which is half blade, half hilt! You might want to check out a Nodachi with a little longer hilt!
the issue u guy are having is that the nodachi isnt a "cleaving" sword, its built more for a carving motion. so when u swing it u cant swing it like a english sword. u gotta do almost a drawing back motion if that makes sense, think less cut and more slice if u will
The Nodachi was "mostly" used (around edo) in show performances, so they used tricks to draw the sword by turning around whilst grabbing the blade for a short second while pulling it out.
afaik
Source "How to Draw & Sheath a 150cm/60in Long Katana"
They weren't,you find actual schools that teach how to use nodachi from the sengoku period today, ming dynasty manuals also show how to use swords that were directly influenced by nodachi, its use continued well into the qing dynasty.
The wiggle he felt from swinging the nodachi was from it being spring-steel, no? There is a reason why it functions better as a hardened single-edged sword. I know you like spring-still better but its not "only pros and no cons" in the dichotomy of spring steel to hardened steel.
Ever since Bushido Blade game, I’ve loved the Nodachi. I know I’m going to love this video
It seems to me that they are not seeing the true purpose of the nodachi, it is a sword to give mostly downward vertical cuts followed by upward and horizontal cuts, not to give inclined cuts, that is why it becomes so unbalanced when giving inclined cuts, but it is good to make horizontal cuts and especially vertical cuts downwards, that is how it cuts best.
It's not for quick cuts either, but rather a very powerful sweep. I think they evaluated the nodachi more than anything on things it's not made for.
Edit: In addition, the handle of that nodachi is very short, generally the handle of the nodachi is longer to allow better handling of the sword
They did explicitly state in the video that they've never handled a nodachi before, so using it like other greatswords they have used is only natural
@@Koushakur Yes, but anyone who watches this video thinks that the nodachi is very bad, they even said that a sword has never disappointed them so much, but in reality it is good, they are just using it wrong
@@felx233 TBH there might be some bias there but:
a) fittings were getting loose on the handle. Objective issue;
b) factual observations are still important - if the sword wants to roll in a particular way and makes it harder for them to cut with, then for the reviewers it is a factual issue for them and thus it is a problem in their review;
c) it is not just about "how to use a nodachi right". This sword, simply put, is not worth a 1000$. Cheap fittings hurt the review. That's an objective issue;
d) the sharpness or edge retention was uneven. That is an objective issue;
e) "Edit: In addition, the handle of that nodachi is very short, generally the handle of the nodachi is longer to allow better handling of the sword" In your own words, this sword has a badly made handle. That is also an objective issue;
f) if you dislike how the sword handles, and it is not objectively the fault of how the sword is made, it is STILL remains an issue. Even if this is subjective and reactions will be different if you know/don't know how to use said sword, it just blatently tells you that it is not easy to use. If you need specific technique to make it work properly then the weapon is getting more complex, which is not great. Simpler and easier to train with usually means better. This point is highly subjective tho;
g) If they stated that no other sword disappointed them so much, then clearly in their opinion that is how they feel about said sword. They have to convey what they think otherwise this review would be... well... a big fat lie?
@@zwidowca1 My main language is not English, so I had a hard time understanding it, but I did my best.
For me that nodachi is not very well made, the handle of a nodachi would have to be much longer, that handle is that of an average katana, and the handle of a nodachi should be lengthened, since if you lengthen the blade you must also lengthen the handle, if it does not become too unbalanced
I'm not saying that the nodachi is very difficult to use, what I'm saying is that above all that nodachi in the video is not made for certain things, mainly with that short handle it is not going to be very good for making inclined cuts, nor for making quick cuts. , but these things were mainly evaluated in the video.
I also have the feeling that the claymore was sharper compared to the nodachi,
I don't know if that nodachi had a good edge, because of the damage it did with the foam tubes, it doesn't seem to me that it was very sharp
No Japanese sword is made for inclined cuts tho lol
I'm considering making a sleeved grip for my Nodachi and filling the last few inches with lead for balance. My blade is probably twice the weight with a 1/4" spine and 2 1/2"section of a 42" blade unfullered. I have it broken down for a more Rapierish 2 handed handle and fullering the blade.
I own a double layered handle, shirasaya in dark red, and it is single pinned. The double layer handle makes it so that you can seriously use the sword, without the handle cracking
. But I have removed the pin before and cannot get the blade to come our of the handle. So, if it is made right, a single pin is great.
Yeah double-pinning is mostly a security measure more so than stability. Properly made sword would have the filed tang rusted-in, and stick very well to the tsuka core.
@@SeanCrosser and even more, is that is got this sword for under 100 dollars on Amazon. It's 1045 high carbon steel. Holds a decent edge. But it doesn't have a hamon. I was surprised about it once I really examined it. It was intentionally designed to be seriously used instead or like other shirasaya that are single layered and handles crack.
just wanted to say ive been around since the earlier days of shad when it was just the man in the chair, and personally ive only enjoyed this content more and more, to me each video is better than the last and tyranth is my new wifu
so you had said it in an earlier video and pretty much alluded to it again here. Nodachi is very likely not a linguistic slide from ōdachi. the ō in ōdachi means that it is a long vowel (properly spelt in hiragana it is おお) which is a prefix meaning "Big" that is where you are correct in assuming that ōdachi (おおだち) or in Kanji 大太刀 means "Big tachi".
Nodachi however uses the Kanji 野 as it's first kanji representing the "no" phonetic. this Kanji can't stand alone and is typically in front of words that have something to do with a field. an example is baseball which is Yakyuu (野球) or more importantly battlefield 野戦 Yasan (the Kanji can also represent a Ya phonetic like seen in these words because.. well because kanji goona be kanji). the most widely accepted theory on the word nodachi is that it uses the kanji for field to take on the meaning broadly of "field sword". most dictionaries etc will tell you that the word means something along the lines of "extra long sword" because frankly that's what it means, but the explanation of how the word came to be is most likely what I had outlined above.
See also Hakama and Nobakama. It's a common mistake to just equate O = No because of Odachi and Nodachi referring to the same thing.
Mostly correct but 野 can stand alone and simply mean field. And as you probably know the reason for all the different pronunciations is that Kanji are a wierd mix of spoken Japanese with Chinese characters. And later they also merged some when they tried to cut down their number.
so a couple things to point out at 8:00 they went into how the tips were made on traditional katana, now i have seen the smiths at work when they make them and the tips are actually forged into shape, rather then ground in, the only grinding done is to get the edge and polish after hardening so the smith is required to shape in everything with a hand hammer. Of course this level of skill would only be found on the highest end katanas which generally price(these are for true authentic katana) of around 2 grand at the least. second at 8:40 they discuss the fitting known as the Koiguchi typically made out of some kind of tusk or horn such as from an elephant as metal is NEVER used in the koiguchi in traditional katanas since tahamaganae steel loses its edge quite easily if not properly maintained. that is it, thank you for listening to my ted talk.
I do think the Nodachi has lower demand, which means the price has to be higher to compensate
If you're in Europe, Yari no Hanzo sell a lovely nodachi for about €400. 130cm blade, 40cm handle, and 1060 carbon steel.
A very interesting sword. But can it's true power can only be wielded by the One-Winged Angel?
The best use for such a blade would be a mounted charge. Reaching downward the point would align nicely for penetration.
@Shadiversity.
OH THAT IS NOTHING... GET A ODATCHI :D Its a Anti-Calvary Sword.
Try wet paper rolls they have more weight than pool noodles.
When newspapers were still a thing these were cheap options for target cutting.
But one can get brown paper rolls from hardware stores of differents length.
I feel like it proved more that I would want to get that claymore than a nodachi lol
Seeing you guys so happy about this also makes me real happy, glad you got to play around with that!
It looks gorgeous and the blade seemed to hold up pretty well, though yeah the handle and brassy bits seemed cheap, I do wonder if it would feel any better with a crossguard and pommel.
Also I now need to watch that claymore video ♥
Thank you so much Shad and Tyranth, also I see that sneaky lil Nate in the background, sneaking around being a lil sneak!
Nodachi = Field Tachi
Odachi = Big Tachi
Both are the same sword.
@@TheSteam02Yes, nodachi and odachi are two words for the same sword. I just wanted to clarify because at about 4:25 of the video, Shad said nodachi means big tachi. That is technically incorrect because nodachi is field tachi. Odachi is big tachi.
Judging from the fittings, that blade is meant to be worn with the blade facing down like traditional tachis before uchigatana (katana) is made with the blade facing up.
The tsuka handle is too short for that blade. Too short as if it's just taken off from a standard katana and just fitted to a larger blade that is why it's a bit too top heavy.
All in all, it looks great and I hope more odachi/nodachi are made because they are just awesome!
P.S. If you want a Nodachi with a straight, single edge blade... then you can look at the Chinese Chang Dao or Zhanmadao. Both are big, long swords and I think you'll like them.
Also, can you review a Naginata? That'll be awesome! Love your videos, keep it up.
Ah, yes.
The washing pole.
Nice reference to both history and dark souls
@@collinnicolazzo2065 There are a *few* references here :)
@@TheSteam02 indeed quite a few
So, one thing you always have to keep in mind is that Nodachis were not designed to be used in HEMA... some moves were not performed at all, so saying they feel strange when doing with a Nodachi is understandable.
About the cutting part: you guys even said yourselves that the sharpness of upper part of the edge was crappy. So that had a big impact in performance, i think...
19:27 it’s almost like the nodatchi was designed for an entirely different style of combat than a western middle age sword. 😅
lol yeah
I mean, that's what reviewers generally do, they usually don't know how to change their standards per piece. But still it's insightful for someone who never fought with swords
You still need to remember that the Katana was made to be like a one-shot kill, there is not supposed to be a perfect transition but one strong cut
My 3.5 DND rouge was a dwarf named Ildi. She made up for her smaller size and lack of range by wielding a Nodachi with the Expertise skill.
She had a finishing move where she would turn the blade skyward, impale the enemy, lift them up and let them slide down the blade until they were cut in half.
why not play to your strengths if you are smaller
@@Leo.23232 that wouldn't be as hilarious or bad ass
@@elone4567 yeah i get it, its just that i see people commonly have the notion similar to this where if you are shorter, use a longer weapon to make up for it which is backwards imo, you should instead use a shield and get in as close as possible where your reach is now an advantage but anyway
@@Leo.23232 ah but you're thinking a bit too practical
@@elone4567 in this situation, im saying i see people bring this kind of thing up alot and i was talking generally
Nodachi, or the "Japanese longsword", was mainly used against enemy Calvery units. But with a long blade and only a normal sized handle, that made it harder to control. Meaning all the forward weight would be on the blade's end, and to compensate, you'd have to move along with the blade. Yet in that kind of situation, your movements would look both silly and predictable. And you know what they say about predictability on the battlefield.
Then longer handle designs came in, which gave it that proper balance & control. So, if you think this longsword is great, forge one with a longer handle and you'll see what I mean.
Next you should review an european greatsword, like a montante.
When he swings it he's not even swinging it right, your suppose to sink your elbows in during the swing to make a slicing motion. Not just a flat "cut"
Longswords are flat and heavy for mementum based flat cutting. The katana and weapons designed like it were never designed to be used with momentum, its too predictable. Having to twist the curved sword after swinging (because it is a one sided blade) can break momentum, thats why the weight "feels weird"
IIRC Metatron has a really nice Nodachi, if you wanted to get an opinion from someone regarding quality/pricing.
Shad: now that you've been to England and done videos on English castles, how about making a trip to Japan (a bit closer to Australia)?
Could probably do a great number of videos on Japanese castles and sword making on the spot. 🙂
Looks like a short handle for that big of a nodachi-blade..
I find it absolutely amazing that the blade wasn't bent on the chopping test.
Can you do a review of kingdom hearts combat and there keyblades and how affective they are please. I would like to know your opinion. But the keyblades might have to be a different video there are a lot of them
I do have a Katana that i payes 1k PLN for (so between 200-250 USD) and It is good quality, double pin handle and it does not look bad in terms of artistic. but it was also made in Poland by a blacksmith that trained in japan so it being locally made probably affected the price
So, I spent around 500$ on a 52' nodachi recently (1095 folded steel) nodachi. I had them take the blood grooves off on it. It's made really nice, no complaints thing cuts like a beast. Not sure how you spend twice that much and get less.
Having a fuller probably helps with the weight distribution of the blade.
@@SeanCrosser This channel is really cringe sometimes. Expert acting like he doesn't know what and how he should be comparing things.
How do you get the fullers out though? You mean not have them in the first place?
You know ... one little thing that you should remember. In medieval times, everyone was trained in a blade and professionals would train daily to exhaustion. Their skills and fitness to swordfighting was in a level that we can't really imagine today.
I was expecting it to perform worse. But for the price point it still seems abit steep.
No-dachi have always been pricey. Even since the days of the samurai.
Bit more complicated to manufacture than regular katana.
When wielding a Zweihander, I really like the handle being a quarter of the whole lenght. It gives enough space to place your hands apart for leverage.
The hilt on the nodachi looks somewhat smaller, even for the proportions of this sword.
I wonder if the curve gives the blade more durability when striking against hard targets since it is structured in a way to counteract the blade bending forward.
Sword Company: "Hey Shad, we like your reviews. Please review for us!" *instant regret*
1 pin is not an issue IF the handle is fitted well to the tang. If the handle is fitted well, it won't even easily come out without the pin. Putting 2 pins in is a rather new trend. Most historic blades only had one pin and the samurai were fine with going to war with em. Sometimes they would take old blades with just one hole and put a second hole in the tang to add a second pin. It's probably more traditional to have just one pin.
2 pins doesn't hurt, but it is not necessary. Unless you have a mass produced sword where the handle is not fitted to the blade, in that case you probably need 2.
Also, it's custom made isn't it? They'd probably add a second pin for no extra cost if you want two.
I think the sword they went to war with had 2 pins though. Most tachis had 2 pins while most katanas had 1 pin and katanas were mostly worn around in the Edo period, not taken to war. But yes, the whole idea behind the Japanese style hilt construction is that the handle is perfectly fitted to the tang and contacts the tang all around on all surfaces as evenly as possible, so the pin really just keeps it from sliding off. If your handle is not fitted properly, it will put pressure on the pin instead and that wooden pin has no chance with that kind of shock.
That spring steel blade is doing all the heavy lifting on this sword in terms of quality. They took filet mignon, over cooked it, and served it with a side of canned store brand beans. My take away from this is it's a decent sword if you can tame it and you don't have to pay for it.
Yeah it's better served by dismantling it and remaking the fittings. Maybe make a longer handle?
My instinct when you guys first discussed the price, and went over the basic fit and finish would have been if it were at most about 750ish, there'd more easily be a market for it, the 200ish difference between that and the price they charge, would be enough to either overlook, or get yourself some nice fittings and upgrade your blade.
Took long enough, love seeing variety of swords and weapons.
Do you think you’ll cover more modern weapons like super early guns or some other uncommon weapons?
Hi Shad and team, since you have been covering a lot of Katanas and Japanese Style sword. I would like you to talk about the NAGAMAKI next. It basically is an older variation of the Nodachi mainly used around the XII y XIV Century. Instead of a long blade they made it so you have a longer handle (more like a half spear or a Naginata). I Strongly believe that the Nagamaki is way better than the Nodachi because it maintains the reach of a Nodachi while getting rid of the obvious weakness that comes with a large piece of steel. Thanks in advance
Well, I understand that it's a sword test and review and not the wielders. I understand that ease of use is the property of the weapon that defines the objective advantage. But I cant think of you both lacking in technique of using it. It was meant to slice, not hit things. But you used it as a cleaver. It was painful to watch at so many levels...
What are you expecting them to do? Glide the blade along what they're cutting?
Most katanas "chop" just fine, as is a sword's nature as a martial weapon.
My understanding of Nodachi is that it was used more like a spear than a sword, since it's anti cavalry weapon, not magical cutting through army in one blow weapon :)
Honestly, I think that the handle on that nodachi is not long enough. Handle curvature is alright, but they were usually a bit more curved since they descend from the tachi (BTW, that tachi is "not tachi enough" IMO). That's probably why you had some problems with keeping edge aligment.
This is so cool! I’d love to see a comparison of the effectiveness of a bunch of different anti-cavalry weapons.
As Japanese swords go, my favourite is easily the Murasame. It's a striker. A little heavy, but a comfortable swing.
Good alternatives for tatami mats are rolled up cardboard or newspapers, typically soaked with water to make them more dense, bound with tape or something
17:16 Visually speaking, those motions just look gorgeous with the Katana, the way its curved blade flows with the movements is so satisfying to look at.
Shad again liked the swords the longway😁
The handles/guard being cheap sucks though and shouldn't be a grand over if the hilt is already coming undone.
I would be very interested to see nodachi treatises, because I feel like this is a sword that does require specific training and techniques that aren't necessarily transferrable or even intuitive if you are used to straight swords or even shorter katanas. Like how a European greatsword, you wield it in a very different fashion from even a two-handed longsword. There are specific methodologies and techniques for some kinds of swords, and the nodachi must have something that isn't intuitively reasoned out. Because if it was just not a good sword, it wouldn't have seen real use in actual warfare, and that's not the case historically.
Shad No japanese styles uses sideway cuts with rotation. You handle it like a double edged sword, Dont.
But there is a reason why nodachi and oodachi was used actively for less than 100 years, instead they moved into the temples and was used in ceremonies.
I love nodachis they can be as long as a really long longsword to the length of a greatsword.
You should analyse the Kokoro Watari from the Monogatari Series. That is a REALLY LONG katana if I ever seen one.
Your audio quality for filming outside is really good. Keep up the good work.
Even if you have a bad review the awesomeness of seeing it should give the company good sales
26:00 I think the larger problem is Shad was still standing too far away. Even after they talk about the katana being better suited to cut in the middle, he seems to use the tip to cut. If you go frame-by-frame, it looks like the tip of the blade is in the last pool noodle, which would explain why it wasn't cut as well.
Saw some nodachi katanas from Cold Steel and Ritten Steel at around $500, so it's fair to say that's the average price. And then again, comparing them to European swords of similar size is not unreasonable at all; and if we want to go this route, then by comparison, Japanese swords tend to be less expensive than similar sized European swords anyways especially if they cut corners...
The shots at 33:30 and 34:04 are very cool, good job cameraman! The whitewashed effect on the castle gives it an otherworldly flavour.
11:15 if its a $1000 katana that brass fitting should be gold. I know it’s soft but it’s more ceremonial and justify’s the price more.
Very nice.
But can it cut space time like a real katana?
28:30 is definitely a good show of Tyranth's edge alignment and skill... Good show man!