Hanwei/Paul Chen Scottish Basket Hilt Broadsword

[Torawashi]

A Bonnie Blade..... Received my Hanwei Scottish Basket Hilt Sword from Swords of Might today. It's a real beauty! The blade is satin polished and the maker's mark engraving on the blade's fuller is very well done. The basket is made of stainless steel, which is good because it cuts down on maintenance, and the grip is genuine wire wrapped black rayskin (same). This sword handles well; great balance and light weight for a broadsword(double edged). the scabbard is leather over wood with steel throat and tip, well made. another great sword from Hanwei and Swords of Might. As always Jason provided top notch service. Oh by the way.....the sword's name is BANNOCKBURN........


Antique replica of an actual museum piece
Hand forged high carbon steel blade
Polished finish
Stainless steel basket hilt (low maintenance)
Red fabric covered leather basket liner
Rayskin and wire wrapped grip
Black leather wrapped scabbard with chrome fittings
Fully functional

Measurements:
Blade: 33 1/2"
Handle: 6"
Overall: 39 3/4"
Weight: 3 Lbs 1 Oz
Point of balance: 5"
Point of percussion: 23"
Width at guard: 1.79"
Width at tip: 1.19"
Thickness at guard: .18"
Thickness at tip: .08"


This is an edited version of the review I did on the SOM page for this sword where the images can be found. A really beautiful version of the classic basket hilt broadsword. As you can see from the figures above, the blade is not only profile tapered, it is distally tapered as well. Really comfortable to wield.
http://www.swordsofmight.com/ProductImages/medievalswords/paulchen/Hanwei_Scottish_Baskethilt_Broadsword.jpg

[Taygrd]

Ahh Laddy, I am glad ye have a fine Scottish Blade. Tis not a thing to be left to wee fellows of no heritage. =)) Looks like a great blade. Bannockburn was Bruce's victory over Longshanks son and the origin of Scottish independence. Longshanks is only despised more than Cumberland to those of true Scot's decent. The baskethilt is cira 1500 and lasted through this day as the Scot's sword of choice. I have a few and a Paul Chen is one of them that I cherrish and wear when the pipes are on my shoulder. The rest are for my own pleasure and are not to be worn in public for they are too dear to my heart. Enough sentimental @#!^, Great Review- encourage others to purchase a true blade of the Scots!! Thanks for the post!!!!!!!=D>

[bobO]

Anyone remember the last highlander charge with these blades. Tora, you are gonna name my next blade, if you don't mind.

[Taygrd]

The basket hilt was used from about 1500 onwards. So there have been a lot of charges with these blades since they were issued to the Highland regiments that saw service in the USA, India, Africa, and the rest of the Empire. Whitehall sent the Highlanders to thier death all over the world, better to have them die abroad than cause trouble at home. The charge was used with sucess in some of the continent battles till the English officers thought it unsoldierly and they should stand in a nice line when fired upon. The original charge was to run full speed at the enemy, either take the volley or lay down then proceed to charge and hack until they had collected a nice assortment of limbs.
If you were refering to the Claymore or great sword, it was last used at Culloden in 1746 south of Inverness. There has been a lot of confusion(imagine that with a Scottish weapon=))) as to what sword is properly called a claymore. The basket hilt is usually refered to as the basket hilted claymore cira 1500. The older great sword is called claymore or claidheamh mòr which is the big two handed dude. There has been a lot of discussion as to which was called claymore first, the last good argument I read is that the basket hilt was called claymore and the older sword was lumped with the term at a later period. We will never really know.
Is it obvious in my next career I plan to be a history teacher=))

[Torawashi]

Anyone remember the last highlander charge with these blades. Tora, you are gonna name my next blade, if you don't mind.

bobO; I don't mind at all my friend.....how 'bout "Spacklethorn"...=)) Just kidding, you tell me the sword and I'll give it a name.......

[Torawashi]

Taygrd; I was aware of Bannockburn, that's why I named the sword after it, but the rest is good to know.....I love history, it tells us where we've been and where we're going....I also have the Cold Steel Scottish Dirk and it's a dandy, 13 inch blade, razor sharp and nice scabbard too....I'm Irish on my mother's side, and Scots on my father's side.......I wear the tartan but drink Irish whiskey.....a little smoother, but I'll no' tirn doon a wee dram o' Glenlivet if it's offered....if they're free I'll have 2....och aye i've the bluid of a highlander........

[Taygrd]

Love that Cold Steel dirk. She is real pretty. Out of my price range right now, and then my personal dirk project has been stitting in the shop uncompleted for 5 years. 15" triangular blade early dirk style, so I had not sought to purchase one. When it is done in say another 5 years I want you to name it as well=))
Every one asks what label color I like my Johnny Walker to be- I tell them a good Scot does not let it age long enough for the label to have a different color. Speaking of that..........................

[Torawashi]

......like ma Scotch whiskey to be at least 12 years old.......great flavor.....ma dirrrk's name is Angus....a bonny blade, verra sharp and the hilt is carved rosewood with wee metal studs near the guarrrd....ma wife really likes the dirrrrk.....she's a sassy lass but dinna fash yersel'......I like ma wimmen sassy......now, where's ma bonnet??