I have always had an affinity for the Scottish Claymore. Now without getting into nomenclature of what constitutes a Claymore as we think of it or a basket hilt broad sword, the sword I am talking about here is the large two-handed great sword that upon first glance could easily be assumed to be a clumsy unwieldy weapon.
This particular specimen was made by Hanwei and sold to me by Kult of Athena. It is obviously made in China, but for under $300 it is a remarkably well put together sword. Certainly more robust than the Indian made $60 wall hanger I bought at a flea market 25 years ago.
The Hanwei Claymore has everything one would expect in a sword carrying the name: a wide double edge spring tempered blade, a very w
gigantic quillon, and a robust grip large enough for 2 and a half hands to grasp the sword. Weighing in at about 5.5lbs, it is a beast of a weapon. The over all length comes in right at about 55" and sports 40" of blade. The quillon is about 12.5" across.
Surprisingly, for all its massive properties, this Claymore does not balance like a total pig on ice. It is obviously heavy and all swings must take over travel into account. However, where I was expecting it to turn like a tractor, it handles more like a heavy big block muscle car. Plenty of gumption but with enough handle to drop it into a lower gear if need be. Balance is about 6" forward on the blade giving it a roughly 34/21 split. I think it is actually even better balanced than it let's on. It's just so heavy that even when it hangs naturally in the grip you know you are wielding a massive weapon simply from the forearm burn from rolling it around.
I'm not exactly a small guy at a solid 5'10 210lbs, but I marvel at the strength and dedication it would take to make a blade this size dance during warfare. What it lacks in mathematical finesse, it makes up for in equally terrifying physics. More than once just rolling it around in my hand in the house, I have had to be mindful. One mistake could result in a hole punched in the drywall, furniture nicked, or a nasty ding on the shin/ankle/foot requiring more than a bandaid and a kiss from mama.
Full disclosure, I have not cut anything with it yet. I dont know when I actually will or if I will beyond some clearnaced pumpkins in a few weeks. Im not looking for this to be a competitive cutter and I rather like that it only has a rudimentary edge on it. Putting your hand to it, it feels about as sharp as a good splitting axe. Whistling the blade around, and I have no doubt it could easily travel through an arm and half a rib cage. It moves like a heavy .45 slug. No hurry to get there but thumps with the Thunder clap of Thor.
The sword is...not perfect. It came with a slight (and mostly just annoying) bow at the tip of the blade of about 5 degrees. Functionally, it doesn't make a difference, but it still bugged me enough to email KoA. Upon further research, that kinda is what it is. Almost 6lbs of spring steel that is peened at the pommel and again through the blade at the stabilizers, it cost less than $300. Such blemishes are to be expected. KoA was gracious enough to offer me a refund and also checked their other stock to see if any other sword was a bit straighter. I elected to just keep mine and be happy with it as it is.
Here's a few pictures
Slight bow to the blade, but doesn't bother function.
Excalibur of the wood pile.
Perspective: that axe is a camp axe and 26" long. That "little" khukuri is 15" over all in length. This sword is a monster for slaying monsters.
I genuinely like it
This particular specimen was made by Hanwei and sold to me by Kult of Athena. It is obviously made in China, but for under $300 it is a remarkably well put together sword. Certainly more robust than the Indian made $60 wall hanger I bought at a flea market 25 years ago.
The Hanwei Claymore has everything one would expect in a sword carrying the name: a wide double edge spring tempered blade, a very w
gigantic quillon, and a robust grip large enough for 2 and a half hands to grasp the sword. Weighing in at about 5.5lbs, it is a beast of a weapon. The over all length comes in right at about 55" and sports 40" of blade. The quillon is about 12.5" across.
Surprisingly, for all its massive properties, this Claymore does not balance like a total pig on ice. It is obviously heavy and all swings must take over travel into account. However, where I was expecting it to turn like a tractor, it handles more like a heavy big block muscle car. Plenty of gumption but with enough handle to drop it into a lower gear if need be. Balance is about 6" forward on the blade giving it a roughly 34/21 split. I think it is actually even better balanced than it let's on. It's just so heavy that even when it hangs naturally in the grip you know you are wielding a massive weapon simply from the forearm burn from rolling it around.
I'm not exactly a small guy at a solid 5'10 210lbs, but I marvel at the strength and dedication it would take to make a blade this size dance during warfare. What it lacks in mathematical finesse, it makes up for in equally terrifying physics. More than once just rolling it around in my hand in the house, I have had to be mindful. One mistake could result in a hole punched in the drywall, furniture nicked, or a nasty ding on the shin/ankle/foot requiring more than a bandaid and a kiss from mama.
Full disclosure, I have not cut anything with it yet. I dont know when I actually will or if I will beyond some clearnaced pumpkins in a few weeks. Im not looking for this to be a competitive cutter and I rather like that it only has a rudimentary edge on it. Putting your hand to it, it feels about as sharp as a good splitting axe. Whistling the blade around, and I have no doubt it could easily travel through an arm and half a rib cage. It moves like a heavy .45 slug. No hurry to get there but thumps with the Thunder clap of Thor.
The sword is...not perfect. It came with a slight (and mostly just annoying) bow at the tip of the blade of about 5 degrees. Functionally, it doesn't make a difference, but it still bugged me enough to email KoA. Upon further research, that kinda is what it is. Almost 6lbs of spring steel that is peened at the pommel and again through the blade at the stabilizers, it cost less than $300. Such blemishes are to be expected. KoA was gracious enough to offer me a refund and also checked their other stock to see if any other sword was a bit straighter. I elected to just keep mine and be happy with it as it is.
Here's a few pictures
Slight bow to the blade, but doesn't bother function.
Excalibur of the wood pile.
Perspective: that axe is a camp axe and 26" long. That "little" khukuri is 15" over all in length. This sword is a monster for slaying monsters.
I genuinely like it