buff coat vs swords - who wins?

Arms and legs are vulnerable. Body shots are great for turning a cavalryman into a smear on the ground.

In general, the joints are the most vulnerable parts of any type of armor. Joints and borders, like say, armpits and hip joints.

Also, the neck/throat is a vulnerable spot.

Cav armed with Buffcoat & cuiruss & helmet & leather gaunlets & boots would be pretty well armored against simple swords. Now, pikes, halberds, axes, and other pole arms would be a problem.

For a cav on cav fight I'd expect a lot of slashing trying to hit the neck, head, and the arms and legs. Or trying to work a blade edge into a joint or border, say in the armpit or groin.

Don't forget that just unhorsing the enemy would be very effective. Then you can run him down.

It really depends on the style of combat you are engaged in at the moment. IF you are standing still - more or less - exchanging blows in a melee' situation - the buffcoat is fairly decent armor against blows delivered by hand. I'd do my best at that point, to thrust for the face and throat. The point is going to be more effective.

If however, you are engaged in a charge, then the edge WILL cut through a buff coat. You have the added speed of the horse to increase the momentum of the cut.

Yes, I own a buff coat. Yes, I've trained in mounted combat.