Description

The above is a photo of our standard basket hilt which we refer to as our “Reaver” model. The example shown is mounted on an Alchem Safeflex broadsword blade. This example is nearly identical to the hilt found during the excavation of the Mary Rose which sank in the English Channel in 1545. The one difference is that the Mary Rose sword had a half basket whereas this is the full version.

The photo below shows the Mary Rose half basket version, set up for use in the right hand. The example below is mounted on our Safeflex broadsword blade which may either be curved or straight. This design dates from before 1550 and was the hilt of choice of border reavers and of seamen. It later evolved into the scottish basket hilt. Our hilt may be ordered in either a full or half basket, and has a 9 inch long cross guard.