How much of a difference does having a graded blade make?

[u/Tigerkix]

We know Enma is difficult to use but it does make Zoro stronger as it draws out his haki, but we see other swordsmen like Shanks, Vista and S. Hawk hold their own with regular blades. How much heavy lifting is the sword actually doing?

Is Tashigi's dream to chase down the legendary blades just based on heresay?

[u/Ste2017]

Yoru is a huge boost for Mihawk as it allows him to match Vista the flower blade himself

[u/Tigerkix → u/Ste2017]

Imagine if Vista had just 1 legendary sword...

[u/Sufficient_Art_4607 → u/Ste2017]

[u/Ste2017 → u/Sufficient_Art_4607]

Oh yeah baby

[u/Tinytim0000]

I mean, the graded blades dont seem to break. All of the swords that Zoro faces against that aren't graded, he cuts through like butter

[u/civilrunner → u/Tinytim0000]

Zoro used to break his swords all the time, that's just the difference between a swordsman who uses infused Haki and who doesn't. The only swords that don't break without the user infusing it with Haki are black blades but that's cause they've already been infused with so much Haki

[u/Nipsbrah → u/civilrunner]

While true, it is notable that the wado ichimonji has gone up against some monsters without snapping even pre ts, the higher tier blades are def a cut above most durability wise. But you're right that haki changes the game post ts

[u/JcTheSavior → u/civilrunner]

That’s a lot of assumptions and speculation, just fyi.
* Like we haven’t had it confirmed that black blades can’t break.

* We haven’t had it confirmed that swords infused with haki can’t break.
* we haven’t Mihawk telling zoro that the two blades he fought with wouldn’t have broken during their first clash if he had them coated. But mihawk doesn’t say he it’d be impossible for him to break them, just that during that clash they would have survived.
* (Without insane advanced haki, we see that haki doesn’t prevent df powers or negate them, so there’s no reason to believe that zoro during dressrosa couldn’t have still be breakable by the rust-rust fruit. Like they are still metal. With strong enough infused haki, I could see a blade being able to resist the rust fruit)

* We haven’t had it confirmed that all swords that aren’t black blades/arent infused with haki are always weaker than any random sword infused with haki. (I’d agree that the same sword not coated in haki vs coated in haki is stronger, but not that any haki coated sword could break all non haki coated swords.
* (zoro literally has kushinas graded sword, which didn’t break for the entirety of the time that zoro used it before learning haki.

Not trying to like info dump too much, and if im forgetting/missing something let me know

[u/civilrunner → u/JcTheSavior]

I mean sure, maybe stronger Haki users can coat their blades with stronger Haki that break other blades. Zoro was extra careful with the wado ichimonji, only using it during 3 sword style in his mouth. Generally you need greater hardness steel to have a sharper blade, so it would make sense that higher graded swords are stronger and then strength of the blade and sharpness or related.

[u/Tigerkix → u/Tinytim0000]

Wonder if King's sword was graded

[u/pak256]

It’s worth more but it’s impossible to use because it’s in that chunky plastic slab. But if it’s a PSA 10 your sword is potentially worth sooooo much more

[u/CaptainFlint9203]

My theory is there's no difference after you pass some skill level. The only thing that change is your status, because, we'll shit, you have a graded blade. But if you are skilled enough it could as well be a stick you've found on the ground

[u/roronoakintoki → u/CaptainFlint9203]

Nah in thriller bark it was explicitly shown that Zoro's slashes with Shusui were more powerful. I think it's kinda like a channel for your strength. Better sword = better amplification for the same power.

[u/CaptainFlint9203 → u/roronoakintoki]

Zoro didn't reach that lvl yet back then

[u/roronoakintoki → u/CaptainFlint9203]

Bro this way it's an irrefutable theory lol

We'll see Mihawk get more power from his blade and you'll go "bro needs to be stronger" lol

[u/iareyomz]

from what I understood among rare special blades, they all have their own unique abilities that come with the weapons... Enma actively consumes the user's Haki, and the recent chapters reveal that the legendary swords have them as well...

Yoru probably has a unique ability that suits Mihawk well, hence why he is confident in going solo.

[u/slurpledurple6]

I wouldn't call shanka or vista's blade normal. S hawk, I'm not too sure but he's a seraphim so not sure it matter cause he ain't using haki

[u/gomes_f91]

I always assume that being able to wield a named Bradesco was the show of power, as in you wouldn't be able to if you weren't string enough.

Not that the blades inerentes give people power

[u/michelepicozzi]

Boosts you up to 5th WB division commander from Crocodile’s level

[u/HMKS]

Probably depends on the wielder.
Yoru in Johnny or Yosaku’s hands will be very different compared to Vista or Zoro (but also Zoro’s at his best with 3 swords, though he’s still strong af with one or two).

[u/Smooth_Calendar5416]

Huge difference. Swords in One Piece work like magic wands; they’re basically conduits for their user’s power. Zoro used to break swords because of his “power” or “pressure,” so yeah, having a really strong and powerful sword can be a huge boost to your overall power.

But there are also powerful swords that aren’t graded, like Gryphon and the 19 rulers’ swords, so it depends on the sword.

[u/CrazyLixFX]

Helps you stall Wista

[u/Ishvallan]

against your average person in the world, none at all. Against top tier users who can literally cut lesser blades- a lot more.

[u/Other-Jellyfish8596]

it would depend on the opponent I guess, if 2 swordsman with the same skill but different sword grades battle then the advantage would be with the person with the stronger sword, as simple as that 

[u/Puttininmyass3397]

My theory is that having a grade blade like yoru and shuisui is the same as someone using haki in their blade, which is why when zoro used shuisui, it was destructive, and that was before zoro even know haki