Okay...what's the difference between a katana blade with a bo hi [blood groove] and one with without it. What's the bo hi feature suppose to serve as? Is it balance weight unlike one without it?
2007-01-24 10:18:11 · 3 answers · asked by Nanakai 3 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
The blood groove served two functions. First it allowed the blade to be lighter without a loss of strength. Second it was important for a thrust. After a thrust it allowed the sword to be removed more easily. Normally when a blade is thrust into a body there is a suction created, like a vaccuum, when the tissue closes around the lbade that makes it difficult to withdraw the blade from the body. The blood Groove, or 'hi' allowed the blade to be removed by preventing that suction from forming around the blade. The same principle applied to the fuller of European swords.
2007-01-24 12:21:45 · answer #1 · answered by kveldulf_gondlir 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "blood groove" thing is a myth.
As the above poster mentioned it would seem that the only purpose for it is to lightens the sword without sacrificing how strong it is.
Give the +10 to the guy above, not much more to say.
2007-01-24 18:44:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I can tell, it appears to serve the same function as a fuller ("blood gutter") in European blades - that is, it removes material, making the blade lighter without sacrificing structural strength. Or, rather, it makes the blade stiffer for its weight.
2007-01-24 18:36:22 · answer #3 · answered by astazangasta 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋