Maybe a Maru made blade, but not what I purchased. Kobuse (what I purchased), is extremely durable. It's basically a spring steel core wrapped in a high carbon steel shell. This combination allows the sword to be both flexible and hold a good edge. Then there is the weight aspect. The bohi and soebi features dramatically reduce the weight of a blade, making it lighter and easier to wield than European style swords.
Most people are unaware of the reason Japanese swords are single edged. The training for using such a sword employs both defensive and offensive techniques. Defense is done with the back - blunt edge of the blade, while offense is made with the keen edge. This is done to preserve the edge for longer during a battle. A simple twist of the wrist to expose the blunt edge to an incoming attack leaves the sharpened edge in-tact.
Ultimately, it's the skill of the wielder that determines the best sword. I learned Japanese style sword fighting, so I'm more comfortable with that style of sword.
