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Production Sword Review: Arms & Armor Model 100 Claymore
Scottish Style Claymore of AISI 1075 Steel
Article and Photographs by Thomas MacDonald.
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With the likes of the distinguished Mr. Ewart Oakeshott calling Arms & Armor "the best replicas I've ever seen" it is no surprise that the Arms & Armor Model 100 Claymore is anything less than so!
The Model 100 Claymore is a reproduction of an early 16th century example. The original is held at the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland.
The first thing that struck me when handling this big sword was its weight - or, should I say, a lack of it. At approximately 5 pounds, the sword is extremely easy to wield.
The blade has a diamond-shaped cross section. Shipped sharpened, the blade flexes easily and returns true. There is an ever so slight sag to the blade when held horizontally. The tip of the blade is more an oval than an accute point. All lines are smooth and clean - no wobbles or defects.
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Vital Statistics:
Steel .................. AISI 1075 high carbon steel
Balance Point .......... 4.75 inches from hilt
Center of Percussion.... 25.6 inches
Overall ................ 58.5 inches
Blade .................. 42.5 inches
Blade Width ............ 2.25" inches at hilt
Blade Width ............ 1.25 inches at tip
Weight ................. Approx. 5 lbs.
Crossguard ............. 12.5 inches
Wheel Pommel ........... Approx 2 inches
Hande Length ........... 13 inches (leather portion 12 inches)
Handle Width ........... Tapers from 1.5 inches to 1 inch at pommel
Langets ................ 3.5" long by 7/16 inches wide
In terms of handling, the sword feels very light and fast. In my test-cutting exercise, I used a 1" inch thick piece of pine barn board measuring approximately 3 feet in height. Going with the wood grain, the sword easily split the board down it's length (striking at the blade's COP - or Center of Percussion) No vibration or discomfort was felt in the hilt, no damage or marks to the edge or flats. I did this several times, each time striking the same type of board with progressively harder swings, easily splitting the pine board, as if with an axe!
Next I turned the board flat, laying it on top of a heavy 2" inch plank. I struck it half-speed, this time going against the wood grain, and it cut/dented the pine, about 1/4 of an inch in. Again I felt no
excessive vibration, or discomfort. No noticable damage to the edge. The blade remained sharp as it came!
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I was a little nervous at first, having never tested an A&A product, but the claymore handled this test medium very well! All around the feel and performance were excellent, the construction solid and built to last. The sword is a joy to swing.
Overall, the fit and finish construction is excellent, very solid feel, and the hilt is very tight. The leather handle wrap is very secure and is stitched up on one side.
You would be hard pressed to find a more qualitative or accurate replica of a Highland two-hander in the production market today than this model, the Arms & Armor Model 100 Claymore
Contact Information
Arms & Armor Inc.
1101 Stinson Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55413 · USA
http://www.armor.com/
(612) 331-6473
Click here for website.
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