For those of you who did not beleive, or thought I was Lying here it is.
Oda wrote: Shanks Mihawk Rivals and sparring Buddies?
here's a little info bit on the deal with the sword:
shanks was left-handed, therefore he kept the sword on his right side so he could draw it (why he hasn't switched 'er over…?). he WAS (at least before the whole losing-an-arm business) a potentially high-level swordsman, and in the past he and mihawk considered each other rivals, and still do till this day.I did not want to translate the whole thing because it is too much info.
those facts are taken from the first page of the info blurb on shanks in One Piece RED (pg 152). also in the Ask Oda Questions section, they ask Oda whether Shanks is a swordsman, and if loosing his arm affected his strength. Oda replied "that he was a swordsman, and that he still is as strong with one arm as he was with two. Mihawk and shanks have a level of respect and have a great friendship together. there is a mystery solved!!!