Suggestions of Scottish Weapons Forums?

[Salvianus]

What a shame I didn't see this earlier!

Weapons forums don't always have a dedicated section but traditional Scottish weapons are so big with collectors that you find a lot of relevant discussions about originals (usually designs, dates, makers, authenticity, cleaning & restoration etc.) and because of the fairly healthy re-enactment and martial arts communities you can also find spin-off information on use. How they were worn and how to wear them today is one of the most neglected issues, something X-Marks actually seems well placed to cover.

For what it's worth:
as well as the Sword Forum International as Geoff said, (and their "Community" is quite broad, with sections on Battlefields and Their Archaeology, War Studies, Scottish and Borders History, Culture and Life moderated by one of our very helpful X-Marks members with expertise in martial matters, Modern Scottish Martial Art Practice and Historical Texts as well as the odd chat in the General and Antique sections)

There is a lot more traffic on http://www.myarmoury.com with lively contribution in Historical Arms, Makers and Manufacturers, the Marketplace and a lot of incidental talk mentioning the claymore in wider contexts.

For reviews and tests on modern replicas, very worthwhile if you are after one for dress carry and an absolute must if you are considering getting something functional for practising forms or backyard target cutting.

For a specific association dedicated to exploring the Highland Broadsword as a modern martial art discipline, which I think does more of it's day-to-day chat via its Facebook I would take a look at http://cateransociety.wordpress.com/

As I say, perhaps sadly too late for the good Doktor. I do hope we can continue to discuss Scots weaponry here - not everyone wants to maintain half a dozen board memberships for a tangential interest in the associated swords!

~ commilitones in amicitia ~
Comrades in friendship

[TheOfficialBren]

Salvianus,
Wouldn't The ARMA be a good source, too? They specialise in reproducing the techniques and martial arts styles found in the West from different eras through intensive academic study of first-hand historical manuscripts detailing the techniques related to personal combat. They pursue this study as an element of experimental archaeology as well as for fitness and sport.


I would imagine that the folks who devote so much to learning from ancient manuscripts and tomes would probably glance at an illumination or two to learn how to wear a sword in their belt--Highland or otherwise.

Www.TheArma.com

[Sir Didymous]

I see what the OP is getting at. I understand the rules of this forum and try to post within them. This is a kilt forum, and therefore there ARE some topics that stray away from this. If I want to discuss the technical usage or practical carry of any various Scottish weapon, then the kilt isn't central to the discussion and it isn't best suited to this forum. I outsource for these topics myself. In answer to the OP:
No I don't know of any specifically Scottish weapons forums, but I have found a lot of useful discussion on myarmoury.com
I wish I could be of more help.

[Mike M.]

In English, swordforums.com is probably the best for edged weapons.

With regard to Scottish firearms, I don't know of any forums dedicated to them. I would suggest the "smoothbore" and "pistol" subforums at www.muzzleloadingforum.com, then use the search function.

[Ethanintn]

I am a blacksmith,and there is a forum on which I am on that is called Bladesmith forum,you can talk about Scottish swords all you want,that is if you join.

Thank-you and stand sure,

Ethan Walling

[Salvianus]

Wouldn't The ARMA be a good source, too?

Yes, excellent organisation and a very informative site. I would say the bias is towards earlier weapon forms, so particularly of use for the application of two-handed swords. I can't recall as much on the one-handed basket hilted claymore. Paul Wagner has collected five period manuals for Highland swordsmanship, which I understand are a bit dry and need a bit of interpretation but wholly authentic.

[TheOfficialBren]

Yes, excellent organisation and a very informative site. I would say the bias is towards earlier weapon forms, so particularly of use for the application of two-handed swords. I can't recall as much on the one-handed basket hilted claymore. Paul Wagner has collected five period manuals for Highland swordsmanship, which I understand are a bit dry and need a bit of interpretation but wholly authentic.

Well, there you go.

Yes, they are a bit heavier on the earlier Continental styles (like Liberi and Lichtenauer) but still a good source to start with.

[Vectorxw8]

Thank you for posting this link as my search continues in finding information on my fathers Dirk. Scott

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/forum.php

There are forums on "Scottish Fighting Traditions"

[Vectorxw8]

Thanks for listing external sites as I am still trying to find out when my fathers Dirk was made. I have joined at least 10 sites over the last couple months and these are two I did not know about. Thank you