Claymore vs. Rapier — What's the Difference?

A claymore (; from Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh-mòr, "great sword") is either the Scottish variant of the late medieval two-handed sword or the Scottish variant of the basket-hilted sword. The former is characterised as having a cross hilt of forward-sloping quillons with quatrefoil terminations and was in use from the 15th to 17th centuries.

A rapier () or espada ropera is a type of sword with a slender and sharply-pointed two-edged blade that was popular in Western Europe, both for civilian use (dueling and self-defense) and as a military side arm, throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Important sources for rapier fencing include the Italian Bolognese group, with early representatives such as Antonio Manciolino and Achille Marozzo publishing in the 1530s, and reaching the peak of its popularity with writers of the early 1600s (Salvator Fabris, Ridolfo Capo Ferro).

A broadsword formerly used by Scottish Highlanders, typically double-edged.

A long, slender, two-edged sword with a cuplike hilt, used in the 1500s and 1600s.

A type of anti-personnel mine.

A light, sharp-pointed sword lacking a cutting edge and used only for thrusting.

A claymore mine.

A slender, straight, sharply pointed sword (double-edged, single-edged or edgeless).

A large, double-edged broadsword formerly used by Scottish Highlanders.

Extremely sharp.

A large two-handed sword historically used by the Scottish Highlanders.

Cutting; employing keen wit.

Antipersonnel mine

A straight sword, with a narrow and finely pointed blade, used only for thrusting.

A large two-handed sword used formerly by the Scottish Highlanders.

A straight sword with a narrow blade and two edges

A large double-edged broadsword; formerly used by Scottish Highlanders

An anti-personnel land mine whose blast is aimed at the oncoming enemy