Hanwei Scottish Claymore
Dec 31, 2012 7:55:06 GMT
Post by Vilhelma on Dec 31, 2012 7:55:06 GMT
Introduction
Why.
I picked out this specific model simply because it was a greatsword, which I define by a sword being over 50 inches, and it was in the sub $300 (That was before I decided I wanted it customized). I have no Scottish heritage, so I was basically going by what I saw; big and intimidating. I read some reviews, flipped through forums, and purchased it when I had the extra funds. Additionally, I wanted a piece that was tailored to my own tastes. So, I emailed KoA about customization from Crusadermonk. Due to some communication errors, I was billed $70, when I should've been billed 120$. KoA paid over $50 to get it customized. Props to them. I offered to pay the additional amount, but they simply declined.
Pictures of the rehilted leather can be found here: imgur.com/a/ZKoFB
[Additionally, I did not own this sword before it being customized. In no way can I give my own opinion on the stock leather - but, from what I hear, the leather it comes with is mediocre. Mayhaps I dodged a bullet.]
Extra photos of the sword can be found here: imgur.com/a/4y94Z
Historical overview
Swords of Scottish design are known as Claymores, derived from the Scottish Gaelic term claidheamh mòr meaning “Great Sword”. In fact the Scottish great sword was somewhat smaller than contemporary swords of similar design, running to about 55 inches overall. Though the Claymore was used from as early as the 1400s, the term was not applied to the sword until the beginning of the 1700s.
The Claymore was originally a two-handed sword, with a cross guard that sloped downward, or towards the blade, with four-lobed shapes known as quatrefoils at the ends, and extensions onto the flat sides of the blade known as langets which were designed to lock the sword into the scabbard. The blades were straight and had cutting edges on both sides.
-From www.swordhistory.info/?p=53
I suggest reading the full article.
Full Disclosure
My introduction pretty much covered this. I paid only $321 (US) without tax/shipping.
Initial Impressions
...A monster. That's pretty much what I thought I was looking at. A massive handle meant to be handled with ogre mitts. I guess my hands feel small due to their boneyness, but. Who knows. I didn't expect 55 inches to be that overwhelming.
[Measurements may be off due to the nature of the guard, and my human eyes. Apologies!]
Statistics
Blade Length: 40 inches.
Handle Length: 14 1/3 inches. (Excluding the piece the runs over the fuller.)
Overall Length: 55 and 1/8 inches.
Guard Width: A smidge of 12 inches. Roughly 12 inches and a centimeter.
Weight: 5 lb 3 oz (Sorry fellas! Don't have a proper scale. These are KoA's weight measurements.)
Components
The Blade: imgur.com/a/vmoGE
The blade is flexible, but due to the fittings being mild steel, I would in no way recommend a flex test on it. There are a few scratches here and there- The fuller's inside is mirror polished while the rest of the blade is a typical satin finish. The edge is merely flat near the bottom, but comes to a real edge going further up the blade. I don't know if this is historically accurate by any means, but with it's weight...I can understand. Blunt trauma? Who knows. It's not sharp, sharp. It's fairly blunt. I probably won't sharpen it. Plane jane blade geometry.
Oh, and something a few may like more than others: No secondary bevel where it happens to be sharp.
The Handle.
The actual leather grip by Crusadermonk is astounding. The studs are all high-quality and circular, a few being mishapen, but they did a top notch job.
See the pictures in the introduction for the leather.
The Guard: imgur.com/a/8XMIO
Mild steel fittings. What's more there to say? They give it an antique look, not being particularly polished well, but. I'm fine with it. It might annoy some to not have the comfort of the guard anywhere near your hands.
The Pommel: imgur.com/a/tmwQG
Handling Characteristics
I'm light. When I mean I'm light, I mean I'm the definition of light. I'm 5'7, 105 lbs. This thing is a cleaver, but it'll probably feel great in my hands after I get used to it. I would suggest dry swinging with it until you get the 'hang' of it. It's something that is meant to get the job done on the first few swings. You can't correct yourself midway, or it'll correct -you-.
Test Cutting
I don't have pictures of the after-cuts, or anything of the sorts. But. I do have the experience.
This thing cuts through everything I throw at it by brute force along, less so because of a sharp edge. A few bottles were bats, but the majority of the OJ / Milk jugs were clean cuts. By that, I mean it went 100% through.
This sword needs a proper edge.
Conclusions
I like it. That's the sum of it all. From the custom leather, to the blade, to the four circles on the ends of the guard, to how it handles. I'm glad I paid the amount I did, and it's truthfully worth it.
Pros
- Accurate weight for it's size.
- Historically accurate.
- Straight fuller, straight blade.
- Guard is symmetrical.
- It makes every sword in your collection feel like a feather. (Atleast, for me.)
- Exceptional Leatherwork by Crusadermonk
- Fairly O.K. peen.
- Decent balance
- No rust! (KoA's part, though.)
Cons
- Crosshatching might irritate ungloved hands.
- Weight might tire some more quickly than others.
- Hardly sharp.
- The piece overlapping the fuller isn't 100% symmetrical on both sides.
The Bottom Line
Get it only if you enjoy immense swords. I'd not suggest this to anyone looking for a balanced hand and half, or a single-handed longsword. This sword is reserved only for the manliest of men.
Have a question? Comment? Want more pictures? Just PM me or note below.
(Any typos are on me. Wrote this at 12 AM, and the forum's formatting butchered MS Word's own formatting.)
-Thanks.
Why.
I picked out this specific model simply because it was a greatsword, which I define by a sword being over 50 inches, and it was in the sub $300 (That was before I decided I wanted it customized). I have no Scottish heritage, so I was basically going by what I saw; big and intimidating. I read some reviews, flipped through forums, and purchased it when I had the extra funds. Additionally, I wanted a piece that was tailored to my own tastes. So, I emailed KoA about customization from Crusadermonk. Due to some communication errors, I was billed $70, when I should've been billed 120$. KoA paid over $50 to get it customized. Props to them. I offered to pay the additional amount, but they simply declined.
Pictures of the rehilted leather can be found here: imgur.com/a/ZKoFB
[Additionally, I did not own this sword before it being customized. In no way can I give my own opinion on the stock leather - but, from what I hear, the leather it comes with is mediocre. Mayhaps I dodged a bullet.]
Extra photos of the sword can be found here: imgur.com/a/4y94Z
Historical overview
Swords of Scottish design are known as Claymores, derived from the Scottish Gaelic term claidheamh mòr meaning “Great Sword”. In fact the Scottish great sword was somewhat smaller than contemporary swords of similar design, running to about 55 inches overall. Though the Claymore was used from as early as the 1400s, the term was not applied to the sword until the beginning of the 1700s.
The Claymore was originally a two-handed sword, with a cross guard that sloped downward, or towards the blade, with four-lobed shapes known as quatrefoils at the ends, and extensions onto the flat sides of the blade known as langets which were designed to lock the sword into the scabbard. The blades were straight and had cutting edges on both sides.
-From www.swordhistory.info/?p=53
I suggest reading the full article.
Full Disclosure
My introduction pretty much covered this. I paid only $321 (US) without tax/shipping.
Initial Impressions
...A monster. That's pretty much what I thought I was looking at. A massive handle meant to be handled with ogre mitts. I guess my hands feel small due to their boneyness, but. Who knows. I didn't expect 55 inches to be that overwhelming.
[Measurements may be off due to the nature of the guard, and my human eyes. Apologies!]
Statistics
Blade Length: 40 inches.
Handle Length: 14 1/3 inches. (Excluding the piece the runs over the fuller.)
Overall Length: 55 and 1/8 inches.
Guard Width: A smidge of 12 inches. Roughly 12 inches and a centimeter.
Weight: 5 lb 3 oz (Sorry fellas! Don't have a proper scale. These are KoA's weight measurements.)
Components
The Blade: imgur.com/a/vmoGE
The blade is flexible, but due to the fittings being mild steel, I would in no way recommend a flex test on it. There are a few scratches here and there- The fuller's inside is mirror polished while the rest of the blade is a typical satin finish. The edge is merely flat near the bottom, but comes to a real edge going further up the blade. I don't know if this is historically accurate by any means, but with it's weight...I can understand. Blunt trauma? Who knows. It's not sharp, sharp. It's fairly blunt. I probably won't sharpen it. Plane jane blade geometry.
Oh, and something a few may like more than others: No secondary bevel where it happens to be sharp.
The Handle.
The actual leather grip by Crusadermonk is astounding. The studs are all high-quality and circular, a few being mishapen, but they did a top notch job.
See the pictures in the introduction for the leather.
The Guard: imgur.com/a/8XMIO
Mild steel fittings. What's more there to say? They give it an antique look, not being particularly polished well, but. I'm fine with it. It might annoy some to not have the comfort of the guard anywhere near your hands.
The Pommel: imgur.com/a/tmwQG
Handling Characteristics
I'm light. When I mean I'm light, I mean I'm the definition of light. I'm 5'7, 105 lbs. This thing is a cleaver, but it'll probably feel great in my hands after I get used to it. I would suggest dry swinging with it until you get the 'hang' of it. It's something that is meant to get the job done on the first few swings. You can't correct yourself midway, or it'll correct -you-.
Test Cutting
I don't have pictures of the after-cuts, or anything of the sorts. But. I do have the experience.
This thing cuts through everything I throw at it by brute force along, less so because of a sharp edge. A few bottles were bats, but the majority of the OJ / Milk jugs were clean cuts. By that, I mean it went 100% through.
This sword needs a proper edge.
Conclusions
I like it. That's the sum of it all. From the custom leather, to the blade, to the four circles on the ends of the guard, to how it handles. I'm glad I paid the amount I did, and it's truthfully worth it.
Pros
- Accurate weight for it's size.
- Historically accurate.
- Straight fuller, straight blade.
- Guard is symmetrical.
- It makes every sword in your collection feel like a feather. (Atleast, for me.)
- Exceptional Leatherwork by Crusadermonk
- Fairly O.K. peen.
- Decent balance
- No rust! (KoA's part, though.)
Cons
- Crosshatching might irritate ungloved hands.
- Weight might tire some more quickly than others.
- Hardly sharp.
- The piece overlapping the fuller isn't 100% symmetrical on both sides.
The Bottom Line
Get it only if you enjoy immense swords. I'd not suggest this to anyone looking for a balanced hand and half, or a single-handed longsword. This sword is reserved only for the manliest of men.
Have a question? Comment? Want more pictures? Just PM me or note below.
(Any typos are on me. Wrote this at 12 AM, and the forum's formatting butchered MS Word's own formatting.)
-Thanks.