Handedness[edit]

The term two-handed sword, used as a general term, may refer to any large sword designed to be
used primarily with two hands:

 the European longsword, popular in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance.

o the Scottish late medieval claymore (not to be confused with the basket-hilted
claymore of the 18th century)
 the Bidenhänder sword favoured by the Landsknechte of 16th-century Germany.
The term "hand-and-a-half sword" is modern (late 19th century).[8] During the first half of the 20th
century, the term "bastard sword" was used regularly to refer to this type of sword, while "long
sword" or "long-sword", if used at all, referred to the rapier (in the context of Renaissance or Early
Modern fencing).[9]
The term "single-handed sword" (or "one-handed sword") is a retronym coined to disambiguate from
"two-handed" or "hand-and-a-half" specimens. "Single-handed sword" is used by Sir Walter Scott.
[10]
 It is also used as a possible gloss of the obscure term tonsword by Nares (1822);[11] "one-handed
sword" is somewhat later, recorded from c. 1850.
Apparently, many swords were designed for left-hand use, although left-handed swords have been
described as "a rarity".[12]
Great sword[edit]
Great swords or greatswords are related to the long swords of the Middle Ages.[13][14][15][dubious  –  discuss] The
great sword proper was developed during the Renaissance, but its earlier cousin, the Scottish
Claymore, was very similar in size and use, like the "outsized specimens" between 160 cm and
180 cm (approx. the same height as the user) such as the Oakeshott type XIIa or Oakeshott type
XIIIa. These swords were too heavy to be wielded one-handed and possessed a large grip for
leverage, the point would be to hold the grip with one hand at the top of the grip, and one hand at the
bottom. The top hand would push, and the bottom hand would pull; this gave extra leverage thus the
sword would be easier to swing, ignoring much of its weight.
Claymore[edit]
The Scottish name "claymore" (Scottish Gaelic: claidheamh mór, lit. "large/great sword")[16][17] can
refer to either the longsword with a distinctive two-handed grip, or the basket-hilted sword.[citation
needed]
 The two handed claymore is an early Scottish version of a greatsword.
Zweihänder[edit]
The Zweihänder ("two-hander") or Beidhänder ("both-hander") is a true two-handed sword, in the
sense that it cannot be wielded in only one hand. It was a specialist weapon wielded by
certain Landsknechte (mercenary soldiers), so-called Doppelsöldners.