For more information about Katana please go to http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

While the katana was an excellent sword, it wasnt the magical 1d10+2 sword that people make it out to be. It actually wasn't designed to block other swords or get through heavy armor, it had a tendency to chip. For honorable dueling between two people, yeah a katana is great. For warfare, I'd rather have a shield and a longsword.

The only weapon on there I agree with is the AK-47. Otherwise...the Discovery Channel branches out waaaaay too much in their definitions of "weapons".

Originally Posted by MightyMacbeth

second, the stirup isnt verymuch a weapon..

The ability to have all that extra leverage behind a spear or lance is huge. It turns a charging horse into one of the most deadly weapons in history. Being able to have both hands free and still be very secure in the saddle also allow much greater ease shooting a bow from the back of the horse and you also get to hold a shield. All of this is only possible because of the stirrup.

Interestingly enough, the stirrup appears to have originated on the Steppes of Mongolia and is given credit for the fact that the Huns, Mongols and others were able to attack with vastly inferior numbers, but still completely overwhelm the Chinese. They've been conquered from the north many many many times.

When the use of the stirrup spread, the Romans got some good use out of it, but the most notable thing would be the Knights in the Middle Ages. A knight on the back of a huge Charger with a lance had terrifying power. A sharp lance would go through anything short of a foot-thick stone wall. No armor was going to protect you well enough.

Originally Posted by c/Commander

The only weapon on there I agree with is the AK-47. Otherwise...the Discovery Channel branches out waaaaay too much in their definitions of "weapons".

Why? The AK is nothing more that a retooled copy of the STG-44, the first real Assault Rifle. The STG should have been on the list.

In fact, AK-47 are a crappy because when you aim at a man and you pulled the trigger and the bullet hit on ground and you miss him. That's a AK-47.

M-4 should be on the list.

Originally Posted by Cadet Seaman

Why? The AK is nothing more that a retooled copy of the STG-44, the first real Assault Rifle. The STG should have been on the list.

No, the STG-44 and the AK-47 use much different actions in their design. Saying the AK-47 is a copy of the STG is like saying the G36 is a copy of the STG because they are both assault rifles.

Originally Posted by Fox

In fact, AK-47 are a crappy because when you aim at a man and you pulled the trigger and the bullet hit on ground and you miss him. That's a AK-47.

M-4 should be on the list.

You must either be a shitty shot or be firing a broken AK-47

Originally Posted by Koz

You must either be a shitty shot or be firing a broken AK-47

Quoted for truth.

I think the best rifle is SAR21! Made in Singapore, many have said it is better that the M-16