Scottish Swords

[Tullibardine]

There are purists out there who insist that the Claymore is a hand-and-a-half sword approx. 60" long, worn on the back, and was actually only in common usage for about 100 years.

There are those who insist on calling a basket-hilted sword, either broadsword or backsword, as 'claybeg.' These swords have been in use for almost 500 years.

In Scotland, basket-hilts are commonly referred to as claymores, to differentiate them from other common military swords of the 1550-present day era.

Call it what you will, it's stil a Scottish sword, although there are Irish and English basket hilted swords, as well as the Venetian Schiavona, another basket-hilt variant of the 17-18th century.

And don't ever try to cut at a tree with a sword. It's meant for cuttin g people, not foliage. I've seen a beatuful 17th century katana DESTROYED by an idiot trying to cut brush with it.