Why does a Sakabato blade have a curve?

Answer 1

The Sakabato (Lit: Reverse-Blade Sword) has a curve because, simply put, it is a fictional weapon. In the end, the Sakabato is not a functional weapon, and though the Manga Rurouni Kenshin popularized it, it would not be very practical in a real sword fight. But a more specific reason as to why, would probably be best described by the fact that it is meant to be a Katana. The Katana's design was meant to carry an edge on the outward part of the blade's curve, not the inner curve, and by reversing this make up the sword is actually much weaker than it would be.

The sharp edge was softer than the strong blunt side, and so when it hit something too strong for it to completely cut (if at all) , the sword would be more likely to chip, rather than snap. However with the Sakabato design, one would be striking with the strong blunt side and that would put much more stress on the metal, making it much more likely to snap, rather than chip.

Chokuto (or "straight Katana") are also weaker than normal katana, and again this comes from their construction. Curved blades are stronger than straight ones when it comes to slashing and cutting, while straight ones hold the advantage in thrusting.

This analogy might help explain: Think of a cube, and a hammer. You try to hit this cube with the hammer and it will be pretty simple, since the sides are flat, and don't move. The corners are a weak point because the sides all attach at those joints, making them able to collapse. But now try to hit a sphere with that hammer, no matter where you hit it, it'll be the same as hitting it anywhere else, there are no corners, and no weak points.

So if one were to try to make a functional Sakabato they would try to use the strongest design would they not? And that happens to be a curved blade. Then there is the other explanation that comes from its origin. The Sakabato was invented by the author of Ruorouni Kenshin, and the main character Kenshin Himura was a swordsman whom used Katana, so therefore his sword had to be in the design of a Katana or it wouldn't make sense.

It's more symbolic than anything else really, since using a Katana with the inner curve as the sharp edge is unwieldy and awkward, it would make it even harder for him to break his vow to not kill, he'd have to go out of his way to do so. And so that's why the Sakabato has a curved blade.

To see an example of a similar weapon that was used in Europe research the Falx, and/or the Rhomphaia. Despite the surmise of the above answer, these weapons were anything but unwieldy and cut with devestating amounts of power, forcing the Romans to upgrade their Armor and Shields.

i disagree as i weild a sakabato and it is perfectly functional and works very well admitted that people without a licnece can only purchase ones that do not work and are only for diplay but the balde still works and may be used once or twice before it breaks.