MacDonald Armouries, Scotland ? -- myArmoury.com

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

I'd like to hear from anyone who has handled swords from MacDonald Armouries, Scotland,
and give us your opinion on them !

Thanks, Mac

http://www.historicalfencing.org/Macdonaldarmory/work.htm

Keith Kipferl · Posted: Mon 08 Sep, 2003 6:25 am Post subject:

Those are some interesting falchions they have there. Is there any historical example of the one with the dimpled blade? Is there a term for it other than "dimpled"?

That particular falchion is in the first sword picture at this link.
http://www.historicalfencing.org/Macdonaldarmory/work.htm

Peter Johnsson · Industry Professional

Joel Whitmore · Posted: Tue 09 Sep, 2003 6:45 am Post subject: I bought a sword from him

Apparently Paul used to work for another company. If this is indeed the same Paul McDonald. I think the company was Castle Arms, though I will have to look it up. This was back in 1996 to 1998 when I was looking for a raplica of the sword used in the movie Braveheart. The blade was aout 46" overall and had NO distal taper. The thickness was a consistant 3mm all the way down the blade. It whipped around terribly when swung. It was not sharp and I did not cut with it. The fit and finish were rough. Again, I don't know if this is the same Paul McDonald. The swords pictured on his website certainly have a higher quality then the one I bought. Perhaps you could drop him an e-mail Mac and see if he is the same one. Evidently he has vastly inproved his level of craftsmanship (again, if this is the same PM)

Kevin Inouye · Posted: Tue 09 Sep, 2003 12:01 pm Post subject:

Haven't handled them, but got to see them being put to good (and heavy!) use in Edinburgh back in... 99? 00? Something like that. It was at a workshop, and he was showcasing his dussak, duelling shield, and longsword techniques and recreations. They seemed to work pretty well.

Plus he's a nice guy, if that counts for anything.

Eric Myers · Posted: Tue 09 Sep, 2003 4:13 pm Post subject:

I have handled one of his swords, a zweihander. It is the only zweihander I have handled that made any sense at all. It was light and quick in the hand, not floppy at all like some long and broad-bladed swords are, and was beautifully finished. For comparison, there was an older MRL one, and another whose make I can't recall. Paul's was clearly in a whole different league. One weighed about 8 lbs, another 6, and I think we estimated Paul's at about 4 1/2.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm being overly effusive, but this was one of the only replicas I have handled that had the same feel as originals I have handled. I should point out, however, that I have never handled an original zweihander. All the replicas I have hefted have felt heavy and slow, certainly nothing I would want to face pikes or any other swordsman with. Paul's was different in all regards, and like I said earlier, his just made sense.