What is a Claymore Sword? Definition, Uses, and Tips for Buying
A claymore sword is a large two-handed Scottish battlefield weapon, used by Highland clans from roughly the 15th to the 17th century and recognized by its long blade and distinctive cross-hilt with angled arms. The name comes from the Gaelic claidheamh mòr, meaning "great sword." Today the claymore sword is among the most collected blades in the world, prized for its scale, its history, and its unmistakable Highland silhouette.
This guide covers what defines a claymore, why the same name belongs to two different Scottish swords, how it compares to other two-handed swords, and what to look for when you find a claymore sword for sale.
What is a Claymore Sword?
A traditional claymore is identified by a few consistent features:
- Two-handed grip: the hilt is long enough for both hands, which is what allowed a Highlander to control a blade of this size.
- Blade length: a typical claymore runs about 55 inches overall, with a blade of roughly 42 inches.
- Cross-hilt with angled arms: the crossguard's arms slope forward toward the blade and are usually finished with quatrefoil (four-lobed) terminals. It is the claymore's signature, and the fastest way to recognize one.
- Broad blade: claymores were built wide and substantial, designed for sweeping arcs on an open field.
Two Swords, One Name: Highland Claymore vs Basket-Hilt Claymore
Here is the detail most guides skip. In Scotland "claymore" has been used for two different swords. The first is the two-handed Highland greatsword described above, in use from the 1400s to the 1600s. The second is the basket-hilt broadsword that replaced it from the late 17th century: a one-handed sword with a 35 to 40 inch blade, weighing 2.5 to 3.5 lb, and a steel basket wrapped around the hand. That is the sword of the Jacobite risings and Culloden in 1746, and it stayed in service with the Highland regiments of the British Army long after, which is why a Scottish soldier of 1800 would call his basket-hilt a claymore without a second thought.
Both uses are historical, so the only mistake is assuming there is one "real" claymore. If you want to be precise, say "two-handed claymore" for the greatsword and "basket-hilt claymore" for the broadsword; our broadsword collection holds the latter. The name even carried into the 20th century: the M18 Claymore anti-personnel mine was named for the Scottish sword.
A Brief History of the Claymore
The claymore belongs to the Scottish Highlands of the late medieval and Renaissance periods. Clan warfare and border conflict shaped its design: a sword long enough to keep distance, yet balanced enough to move quickly for its size. Highland warriors carried it from roughly the 1400s until the 1600s, when firearms and changing tactics retired the great two-handers across Europe. By then the claymore had already become what it remains today: a symbol of Scottish identity, appearing on clan memorials, monuments, and coats of arms.
Who Carried the Claymore
The two-handed claymore was a clan weapon, carried by the fighting men of Highland chiefs in raids and set-piece battles. It also travelled: the gallowglass, Hebridean and Highland mercenaries who served Irish lords from the 13th century, and the later "redshanks" of the 16th century took the great sword to Ireland, where it appears on gallowglass tomb effigies. Guards were sometimes decorated and blades occasionally inscribed with a smith's mark or a short motto. The most famous example, the Wallace Sword displayed at the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, is traditionally attributed to William Wallace; the blade has been re-hilted and the attribution is debated, but it shows the scale of the type.
Claymore vs Other Two-Handed Swords
Many cultures produced large two-handed swords, and the claymore is often compared to the German zweihander and the Japanese nodachi. The distinctions are real:
- Against the zweihander: the German sword is generally longer and heavier, up to about six feet in the largest examples, with straight or S-shaped guards and parrying hooks on the blade. The claymore is more compact and quicker for its class, with its angled, quatrefoil-tipped guard. Our zweihander guide covers the German sword in full.
- Against the nodachi: the Japanese great sword is curved and single-edged, built around drawing cuts. The claymore is straight and double-edged, built for sweeping power.
Claymore vs Bastard Sword and Broadsword
The bastard sword, or hand-and-a-half sword, is the compromise between one hand and two: a 33 to 40 inch blade with a grip long enough for a second hand when needed. The two-handed claymore is a committed two-hander with a blade and grip that make one-handed use impractical. Read our bastard sword guide for that comparison in depth. "Broadsword" in a Scottish context means the basket-hilt claymore; its close relatives are the English mortuary sword and the Venetian schiavona, both basket-hilted one-handers of the same era.
The claymore sits in a sweet spot among the great swords: long enough to command distance, but short and balanced enough to remain manageable. That balance, together with the iconic hilt, is what separates it from every other two-hander in Europe.
Why Collectors Love the Claymore
The claymore may have left the battlefield centuries ago, but it remains one of the most sought-after swords among collectors, martial artists, and enthusiasts of historical weaponry, and its regular appearances in films, video games, and fantasy art keep introducing it to new generations. The draw comes down to a few things:
- Cultural weight: few objects say "Scotland" as immediately as a claymore.
- Display presence: at nearly five feet, a claymore commands a wall or a stand like almost nothing else in a collection.
- Collectible value: well-made claymores, faithful to the historical design, are treasured by collectors and enthusiasts of historical blades.
- Training and study: practitioners of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) study the claymore and use it for strength, structure, and balance training.
- Reenactment and heritage events: Highland games, historical fairs, and clan gatherings keep the claymore in living use as a piece of heritage.
How to Choose a Claymore Sword
Searching for a claymore sword for sale? Here is what to weigh before you choose.
Know your purpose. Display, reenactment, cosplay, or collection? Your answer determines the steel, the weight, and the finish you should look for.
Check the materials. Quality claymores are forged in high carbon steel (such as 1095 or Damascus) or stainless steel. High carbon steel is the more durable choice: it takes and holds a keener edge and performs better for cutting, which is why functional blades are forged from it. Stainless steel resists rust and suits display pieces that will spend their lives on a wall.
Weight and balance. Historical two-handed claymores weighed roughly 5 to 6 pounds, so choose a weight you can comfortably handle unless the sword is destined for a wall. A well-made modern claymore should sit near the historical range; dramatically heavier pieces are usually decorative castings rather than forged blades.
Authenticity of design. Look for the classic forward-angled crossguard, a pommel proportioned to counterweight the blade, and an appropriate blade length. Historical claymores carried blades around 42 inches; the 50 inch and longer "giant" swords sold today are display and fantasy pieces rather than replicas, which is fine as long as you know which you are buying. If you want the proportions exactly your way, our build-your-own greatsword lets you specify them.
Buy from a trusted seller. Choose a dealer that specializes in historical and fantasy blades and stands behind its forging. At Battling Blades, every claymore is hand forged and inspected before it ships. You can compare our battle-ready Scottish claymore swords, hand forged in Damascus and 1095 high carbon steel, in the full claymore collection. If you are still deciding between a claymore and another style, our complete range of battle ready swords puts every blade we forge side by side.
Caring for a Claymore
A carbon-steel or Damascus claymore needs a wipe with a soft cloth and a thin coat of mineral oil after every handling, because skin oils will spot the blade within days. Store it in a dry room on a wall mount or stand rather than in its scabbard, and check the fittings for movement once or twice a year; a sword this long puts real leverage on the pommel and guard. Only sharpen a claymore that will actually cut; a display piece is safer and holds its finish better with the factory edge.
Claymore Sword FAQs
How long is a claymore sword?
A traditional two-handed claymore is about 55 inches overall, with a blade of roughly 42 inches, though modern collector pieces vary. The basket-hilt claymore carries a 35 to 40 inch blade.
How heavy is a claymore?
Historical two-handers weighed roughly 5 to 6 pounds, light for their size thanks to careful distal taper and a counterweighted pommel. A basket-hilt claymore weighs about 3 pounds.
What steel should a claymore be made of?
High carbon steel (1095 or Damascus) for a forged, heirloom-quality piece; stainless steel for a rust-resistant display sword.
Is a claymore the same as a broadsword?
The basket-hilt claymore is the Scottish broadsword. The two-handed claymore is a different, much larger sword that happens to share the name.
What is the difference between a claymore and a bastard sword?
A bastard sword is a hand-and-a-half sword that can be used in one hand or two; the claymore is a dedicated two-hander with a longer blade and grip.
Why does the claymore's guard slope forward?
The arms of the cross angle down toward the blade and end in quatrefoil lobes. The forward slope helps catch and control an opponent's blade, and the shape became Scotland's signature hilt.
Closing Thoughts
The claymore sword is more than a blade. It carries the strength, tradition, and craftsmanship of the Highlands in a form you can hang on a wall or hold in two hands. Whether you are a collector, a reenactor, or simply drawn to Scottish history, the claymore has earned its place among the great swords of the world. Browse our full claymore collection to see every pattern we forge.
About the author
Owen Juarbal is Director of Marketing and head writer at Battling Blades. He has been with the company since 2021 and writes or reviews every guide the team publishes. Read more about Battling Blades.
