Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5405361-20130408110659/@comment-8986886-20130626230503

I believe the shorter blade's defensive qualities lie in its small size. It's light-weight, very mobile and it has a closed grip to protect the hand. These qualities are excellent for parrying incoming attacks.

With his old Bankai, Ichigo was able to fend off Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's billion blades, using only enhanced speed and Zangetsu, so his current short sword might be used in a similar fashion.

Perhaps it will even turn into a shield with Ichigo's new Bankai? That'd be interesting to see and it would give Ichigo a new look of the traditional sword & shield soldier. He'd go from a hybrid to being a tank, so to speak. :)