Both the knights of Medieval Europe and Japanese samurai had swords as essential components in their arsenal. The swords used had fundamental differences as well as a number of similarities. Major differentiating factors were largely due to the contrasting methods of using the medieval swords and katanas.

1. Preferred Use

Although both the knight and samurai had a selection of weapons apart from the sword, the preferred weapon of choice differed from one to the other. A knight would be armed with a poleaxe, mace, long lance, sword and dagger; whereas the samurai had a bow and arrow, yari (a thrusting spear) and sword. A samurai was however, generally associated with use of the bow and a dagger (used in most single combat situations). On the other hand, expert use of the long lance and sword was a basic requirement for medieval knights.

2. Cutting Power:

On the issue of cutting power, a Japanese sword definitely has the upper hand. The katana is a supremely sharp weapon. This attribute makes it compatible with the Japanese style of use that involves a cutting action rather than thrusting. Unfortunately, such a fighting style would not be successfully applied against amour plates which are resistant to cutting. This is more so the case since the katana does possess a wedge shape that is thick despite being strong and sharp.

The thick cutting bevel of a katana causes much hindrance when applied to metal plates, but works with extremely devastating effect on human flesh. Even the human bones would be easily sliced through using such a sword. Indeed, cutting through tendons that hold together the human skeleton would swiftly incapacitate multiple enemies in the thick of battle.

3. Design:

The overall design of medieval swords and katanas did go through a number of variations due to the challenges encountered in battle. For instance, after realizing its ineffectiveness against metal plated armor, the Japanese altered the katana to become longer, thinner and even lighter. This means that it was more adaptable to flexibility and speed in cutting rather than thrusting.

The blade of a European knight's sword was originally wide and rigid. It had chisel-like edges designed to cut through armor. This also meant that a powerful blow would bore deep through flesh or bone. The sword was also light and agile with a stiff rib as opposed to the bending Japanese sword. These acutely-pointed and wide-based swords were supremely efficient at thrusting. Some variations were added to make them rigid, sharply-pointed and tapering for suitability in stabbing laminated and plate armor. 

Some European swords had flat, parallel-edged wide blades that were suited to making powerful cuts. Those that were designed for handling heavier armor were narrower and even more rigid with diamond and hexagonal cross-sections tapering to sharp and very hard points. Such swords could literally bash at armor like war-hammers to rattle an opponent before stabbing or thrusting through the gaps and joints. The tapering design made them interchangeable as short spears.

4. Manufacture:

Though the minor details in the manufacturing process differed, both medieval swords and katanas were made using similar methods of heating and expertly working metal by hand. This also involved shaping and fine grinding to the exact dimensions.

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