h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Claymore is, in fact, a generic name. It refers to most swords (regardless of size) from Scotland.

The larger European swords are:

Hand and a Half (or "Bastard") Swords and Greatswords (also known as Two-Handed). These have a variety of other names, but Hand and a Half and Great are the most common blanket terms.

Greatswords, which have dimensions similar to that of the Claymore mentioned in the article, are not used to crush or smash targets. Instead of being wielded in a Conanesque fashion, one actually uses them for fencing. One hand grasps the pommel (which is the very end of the hilt) and the other steadies the blade under the crossguard. The weapon is then moved and pivoted much like a joystick, with the length of the blade lending a terrifying speed to the pointy end.

Hi Gradient

Just got through reading your article on various sword types and in patic. Claymores. Now I hate to sound like a pedantic See You Next Tuesday but I think Ye've got yer Claymores muddled up laddy...

Now I do not profess to being a great medieval big wig- or for that matter a speaker of ancient Gaelic but here goes anyway...

The term Claymore comes form the Gaelic meaning "Great Sword/Knife."
In it's origional form this term refers to the large 5-6ft double handers,used throughout the middle ages. Especially useful for downing oncoming K-Nights or other horseback warriors.

These include the sword which Uncle Mel famously used to liberate Hollywood from that bloke form Star Trek...

As battle tactics evolved the great two handed swords of Scotland- and Europe gradually gave way to lighter more manouvarable weapons- which could be used on horseback- and herein lies the rub...

The other Scottish sword mistaken for a Calymore is the basket handled broad sword- as used throughout the 1700s most infamously at Culldoen. These sowrds are often mistakenly referred to as "Claymores" usually by those unenlightened (or NORMAL) individuals who don't share my unhealthy obsession with impliments of medieval savagery.

Any hoo That's my lot

Take Care and enjoy

Ian

flashgordon121@hot