Basket Hilt Claymore

**RamsayClanCommish** · 5th March 13, 11:23 PM

I am thinking of getting one to wear with the kilt for special occasion.

My problem is I am leary of ordering online when it comes to a more spendy item. Anyone else have a claymore and any tips on where to buy and who is reputable? I did go to Celtic Croft first (I have bought from them before and trust them) and to thier credit, they discontinued their sales of the BHC as the quality was bad and refuse to get more until those issues are resolved.

**Dale Seago** · 6th March 13, 12:15 AM

Leaving aside the fact that the baskethilt broadsword was a battlefield weapon and is a significant pain in the **** to wear in civilian venues:

What are your criteria for "quality"? Something that looks good? Something "functional", close in weight and balance to those actually used back in The Day and of decently heat-treated steel?

**Thomas H** · 6th March 13, 06:16 AM

For quality , you can count on Cold steel - they are very nice but cost alot
http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/88S...ROADSWORD.aspx

But for just wearing on you side or at a game , but cheap in cost
http://www.budk.com/product/Historic...555/159522.uts

But you can trust either one to send you what you order , I have used them both and have no
complaints

**JohntheBiker** · 6th March 13, 07:10 AM

Other than re-enactments or possibly a Ren-fair, what sort of special occasions did you have in mind?

**Chas** · 6th March 13, 08:44 AM

If you don't intend the sword to be used as a sword, that is to say, hitting another sword, does it matter what the quality of the blade is?

If it only to be used as a prop/accessory/for show, is not the quality of the hilt, basket, scabbard and baldric far more important?

I have seen the quote "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" a couple of times. Sadly, for most men the best place for a sword is in its sheath hanging over the mantelpiece.

Regards

Chas

**Altenberg Bagpiper** · 6th March 13, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

If you don't intend the sword to be used as a sword, that is to say, hitting another sword, does it matter what the quality of the blade is? If it only to be used as a prop/accessory/for show, is not the quality of the hilt, basket, scabbard and baldric far more important? I have seen the quote "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" a couple of times. Sadly, for most men the best place for a sword is in its sheath hanging over the mantelpiece. RegardsChas

I agree with Chas. I have a military issue basket hilted broadsword and the best place for it is mounted on the wall. Unless you are going to wear it as part of a military re-enactment group it is really way over the top. You would also find yourself bumping into people, tables, chairs, and perhaps even the floor.

**Dale Seago** · 6th March 13, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Thomas H

For quality , you can count on Cold steel - they are very nice but cost alot
http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/88S...ROADSWORD.aspx

I've had one for some years now. The steel's quite decent and it performs well in test-cutting in spite of not having a proper "sword" edge: in The Day they used a "lenticular" or "convex edge" grind, while the CS blade is ground like a knife with a secondary edge bevel. (I've handled a number of antiques from the mid-1600s to late 1700s.)

The CS sword is also too heavy, AND seriously unbalanced. Average weight of broadswords & backswords was around 2.5 to 3 pounds, though some got up around 3.5 pounds. The CS sword is 48 oz, or 4 pounds.

The way they do that tasseled fringe-thingie is also ahistorical: Surviving antiques I've seen pics of that have some or all of the fringe remaining invariably have it on the INSIDE of the basket, where it gave some protection from possible chafing if one was not wearing a glove.

In terms of the combination of cost and authenticity, I much prefer the broadsword and backsword made by Hanwei. I've handled both, and the weight is right and the balance is far better than any other "production" baskethilt I've encountered:

http://www.darksteelreplica.com/hanw...ord-pr-79.html

EDIT: Here's an illustration of what I'm talking about with regard to edges. "Period" swords have a "convex" edge, while the CS sword has what's shown here as a "double beveled" edge typical of most modern knives:

**Dale Seago** · 6th March 13, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

If you don't intend the sword to be used as a sword, that is to say, hitting another sword, does it matter what the quality of the blade is?

I understand what you're getting at and agree with the sentiment, and am totally picking nits here; but generally speaking, in sword combat the last thing you want to do is hit another sword and risk damaging yours. Rather, you want to hit or stick the person holding it.

**TheOfficialBren** · 6th March 13, 11:54 AM

*** about Hanwei and *** about not wanting to hit other swords. I recall Talhoffer or Fiori Dei Liberi mentioning something about this.

**Panache** · 6th March 13, 12:35 PM

I recommend Kult of Athena for an online source for edged weapons. I like how they have their blades divided by Ornamental, Functional, and Stage weapons. I purchased my highland basket hilt back sword from them and was quite pleased. Here is their website:

http://www.kultofathena.com

That said, I must add that I do not recommend wearing a basket hit sword* unless there is an awfully good reason to like being part of some sort of ceremony. It will be awkward to manage and look really strange.

Cheers

Jamie

*I wear mine to Renaissance Faire and that's really about all