User blog comment:Maki Kuronami/The Issue with Flying Swords/@comment-24087318-20140922160855/@comment-10380701-20140923155954

I'm quite aware of the swords being likely weaker when not being held, as an example of that was further shown when BREAD became weaponized just by being in the hands of Blake and Pyrrha.

Which is why the alternatives that I've proposed include the usage of sword conjuration (which, given that semblance is pretty much just aura showing itself, should net some damage, even if weaker than just straight up cutting the enemy down) or via Wind Dust.