Claymore Sword: Scottish History vs the Anime Blades

Say claymore sword and you could mean three very different things: a big Scottish greatsword, a basket-hilted broadsword, or the swords carried by the warriors in a famous anime. Movies and games have mixed these up for decades, so the history gets blurry fast.

This guide sorts it out. You will learn what the Scottish claymore really was, how big it was, how it was used, and how the claymore anime borrowed the name. By the end, you will be able to tell a real claymore sword from a pop culture one.

What is a claymore sword?

A claymore sword is a Scottish sword linked to the Highland clans. Most people picture a big two-handed blade with a straight cross guard that tilts toward the blade and ends in a clover-leaf shape. That sword is the classic claymore, and it is one of the best-known greatswords in history.

The problem is that the name is used for two different swords. Pop culture adds a third meaning, since games and anime also use the claymore sword name for any large blade. Sorting out which claymore sword someone means is half the fun, and it starts with the history of the Scottish claymore.

What does the word claymore actually mean?

The word comes from the Scottish Gaelic claidheamh mor, which means great sword. It shows up in English in 1772, written as "Cly-more" and described as a great two-handed sword. A year later, the word was being used for the basket-hilted broadsword instead.

Claymore means great sword, but the name stuck to two different swords.

The mix-up has a long history. The Oxford English Dictionary calls the basket-hilt use of claymore sword inexact but very common, and a 1911 encyclopedia said it was applied wrongly. Some scholars argue the word first belonged to the basket-hilted broadsword and only later spread to every Scottish sword. For the Scottish claymore, the safe move is to say which type you mean.

How big was the Scottish claymore?

The two-handed Scottish claymore was big, but not as huge as legend says. An average example measured about 140 cm (55 in) overall, with a 33 cm (13 in) grip, a 107 cm (42 in) blade, and a weight of about 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Other sources give a range of roughly 2.2 to 2.8 kg (4.9 to 6.2 lb) and a blade of 100 to 120 cm (39 to 47 in).

5.5 lb

The average weight of a two-handed claymore sword, about 2.5 kg. It was not the impossible giant that legend describes.

One well-known record is a claymore sword described in 1772 on the island of Raasay. It had a blade of 1.09 m (3 ft 7 in), a 36 cm (14 in) grip, and weighed 2.9 kg (6 lb 8 oz), and the writer who described it called it unwieldy. If you want a feel for sizes, our guide on why oversized greatswords became so iconic explores the same shape in fantasy.

What did a claymore sword look like?

The classic Scottish claymore has a few features that make it easy to spot. The guard has two straight arms that slope toward the blade, each ending in a quatrefoil, which is a four-lobed clover shape. The pommel is usually a wheel, sometimes topped with a crescent-shaped nut, and thin metal strips called langets run down the blade from the guard.

The clamshell version looks different. It has two round, concave plates that protect the hand, and they look like an open clam. The shape is a good clue when you read an old description. Because the plates are so distinct, collectors can often tell a clamshell claymore sword from a cross-hilted one at a glance.

How was the Scottish claymore used in battle?

The two-handed claymore sword was a weapon of Highland clan fights and border clashes with England. Its long blade was made to break up enemy lines and push through spear formations. A smooth, unsharpened section near the guard, called the ricasso, let a fighter grip the blade closer to the center for control in tight spaces.

Battle use of the two-handed claymore faded as firearms spread. The last big fight where it is often said to have been used in numbers is Killiecrankie in 1689, though that claim is not firmly proven. After that, the basket-hilted broadsword took over as the Highland soldier's standard sword, since it worked well one-handed with a shield or pistol.

Basket-hilted swords stayed in use through the 1700s, and some Scottish regiments still carry them for ceremony today. After the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the British Crown banned Highland arms, and the claymore sword turned into a romantic symbol of Scottish identity in the following century.

What is the claymore anime?

Claymore is also a Japanese manga and anime. Norihiro Yagi wrote and drew the manga, which ran from 2001 to 2014, and the studio Madhouse made a 26-episode anime that aired in 2007. The story follows a world of shape-shifting monsters called Yoma, and a group of half-human, half-Yoma warriors who hunt them.

The warriors are called Claymores after the swords they carry, and also nicknamed Silver-eyed Witches because of their eyes. In the claymore anime, the main hero is Clare, a young warrior who ranks last among the warriors of her organization. Each warrior has her own sword technique or power, which keeps the swordplay fresh.

How does the claymore anime compare to the real claymore sword?

The claymore anime uses the name more than the history. Its island is fictional and its swords are used to fight monsters, so you should not expect an accurate Scottish claymore. The series borrows the claymore sword idea of a big, serious weapon and then turns it into fantasy.

That is a common pattern in games too. Dark Souls has a recurring claymore sword, and Genshin Impact uses claymore as a weapon class for large swords. If you like that look, you can browse our Dark Souls swords for a similar heavy, medieval feel.

Is the Braveheart sword a real claymore?

The film Braveheart made the claymore sword famous in pop culture, and William Wallace holds one in its closing image. The real Wallace lived and died long before the classic two-handed claymore took shape, so the film look is a mix of history and legend. Even so, the movie sword has become part of how many fans picture a Scottish hero.

The mix of history and legend is worth keeping in mind when you shop. A replica that copies a film sword is a tribute to the movie, while a replica that copies a museum piece aims at history. Neither is wrong, but knowing which one you are buying helps you get the claymore sword you actually want.

If you want that look for a collection, our Braveheart replicas include claymore-style swords inspired by the film.

For other options in the same style, the medieval sword collection covers knights, kings, and classic European blades.

Fans of the big two-handed look can also browse the great swords collection, which is built around oversized blades with real presence on a wall.

The claymore sword is real history and a pop culture name

The claymore sword started as a Scottish greatsword, grew a second meaning with the basket-hilted broadsword, and then spread into games, film, and anime. Knowing the facts makes it easier to enjoy all three versions of the claymore sword without mixing them up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a claymore sword?

A claymore sword is a Scottish sword, and the name covers two types. The older one is a two-handed greatsword used from roughly 1400 to 1700. The later one is a basket-hilted broadsword, which people also call a claymore even though the word was applied to it more loosely.

How long and heavy is a real claymore sword?

A typical two-handed claymore sword is about 140 cm (55 in) long overall, with a blade near 107 cm (42 in) and a weight of around 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Some records run higher or lower, so treat those figures as an average. Despite the legend, a claymore sword was not unusually heavy for a greatsword.

What does claymore mean?

It comes from the Scottish Gaelic claidheamh mor, which means great sword. The word is first recorded in English in 1772. The Oxford English Dictionary calls the basket-hilt use inexact but very common.

What is the difference between the Scottish claymore and the claymore anime sword?

The Scottish claymore is a real historical sword with a cross hilt and clover-leaf shaped guard tips. In the claymore anime, the name is a nickname for the female warriors who carry large swords. The show is fantasy, so it does not copy the history of the Scottish claymore.

How do I clean and maintain a claymore sword replica?

Wipe a steel claymore sword with a soft dry cloth after handling, then add a thin coat of oil to prevent rust. Keep it away from damp rooms, and check the grip and guard for any looseness. Our care guide for metal katanas has the same basic steps.

Is a claymore sword good for display?

Yes, a claymore sword makes a strong display piece because of its size and its cross hilt. Use a sturdy wall mount rated for the weight, and mount it away from foot traffic. A longer claymore sword needs more wall space than a katana.

Is the sword in Braveheart a claymore?

The film is closely tied to the claymore sword in popular memory, and William Wallace is shown with one. The real Wallace died in 1305, before the classic two-handed claymore took its form, so the film look is more pop culture than history. Many replicas copy the movie style.

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