Claymore | The Story
December 22, 2025The sprawling industrial district of Bucheon, located just outside Seoul in South Korea, is perhaps an unlikely starting point for an outdoor brand. But it was here in 2013 that designers at Prism Lighting Co., a company which had spent over a decade perfecting compact desk lamps for offices and homes, developed a product that would propel it to the forefront of the outdoor industry.
That product was the first Claymore LED outdoor lantern. And whilst its name might evoke medieval weaponry, the real story behind this South Korean brand is one of precision engineering, design excellence, and an uncanny ability to identify exactly what outdoor lovers need for adventure and recreation.
Early Adopters
But first, a little history lesson. The first light-emitting diode (LED) was invented by Russian scientist Oleg Losev in 1927, based on earlier discoveries of electroluminescence by H.J. Round in 1907. However, it took decades for practical, visible-spectrum LEDs to emerge.
The first red visible LED only appeared in 1962, while the crucial blue LED (enabling white light) was finally developed in the early 1990s by three pioneering Japanese electronics engineers. Even then, it took until around 2002 for the first white LEDs to become commercially available.
Prism was one of the first companies to recognise and embrace the possibilities offered by this new technology. The move required a concerted shift: by the mid-2000s, Prism had already built an excellent reputation for its inverter desk lamps, which were used across South Korea by students and office workers, who typically spent a lot of time under the harsh and unnatural glare of fluorescent or incandescent lights. This was a real issue: long-term exposure to such artificial lights can cause eye irritation and blurred vision.
CEO Kim Suk-ho foresaw that LEDs would quickly make Prism’s inverter lamps obsolete, just as inverter lamps had replaced traditional incandescent lights. After all, compared to conventional bulbs, LEDs were brighter, longer lasting and far more energy efficient.
Moreover, he explains: “Unlike lamps that use fluorescent light bulbs, the brightness and intensity of the illumination of LED desk lamps can be freely controlled. You can even control the colour of the light. I believe that LED lamps are the best source of illumination for students. And since LED bulbs are compact, the lamps can be designed in many different ways”.
Prism duly rolled out its first premium LED lamps in 2009 – going on to continually develop new designs, whilst scouting LED circuit specialists and investing in LED development equipment. It would swiftly become the largest domestic producer of LED consumer products in South Korea, owning a sprawling facility totalling approximately 5,000 square metres.
Prism also earned multiple safety and energy efficiency certifications, enabling it to sell into markets all over the world: not just its native Korea but also Europe, Taiwan, Japan and the United States. The latter was a particular coup, since it meant attaining the US Energy Star. “We are the only desk lamp producer in the world to have earned it,” reveals Kim Suk-ho.
As well as safety and efficiency, good design and user functionality are cornerstones of the brand. “When we roll out a new product, our designers and technicians don’t just stop there but keep thinking about which features to improve upon and how to incorporate more functions into a product. That way, we can continue providing new and better products to our customers.”
Case in point: Prism’s modern LED desk lamps are equipped with a diffusion filter made with nano-plastic technology. This reduces glare, minimising tiredness of eyes and heightening the visible light transmitted rate.
From Office Desks to Mountain Peaks
But something was shifting in South Korea's leisure landscape. As the five-day work week became standard and growing interest in health and outdoor activities swept the nation, Koreans began looking beyond the urban environment. The country's mountainous terrain –covering approximately 70 percent of the peninsula – beckoned. Camping grounds multiplied. By 2013, the camping market had surpassed 500 billion Korean won (£253 million), and families were seeking better ways to illuminate their outdoor adventures.
Prism recognised an opportunity. The company already possessed deep expertise in LED technology, robust manufacturing capabilities, and a design philosophy centred on user needs. What if they applied everything they'd learned about creating exceptional lighting for offices and homes to the demands of outdoor recreation?
In 2013, the first Claymore rechargeable outdoor LED lantern was born, taking the precision and innovation Prism had perfected indoors and reimagining it for tents, campsites, and wilderness expeditions. Unlike the disposable battery-powered lanterns that dominated the market, Claymore's rechargeable design offered convenience, sustainability, and the kind of consistent light quality that outdoor enthusiasts didn't know they were missing.
Lighting Up a Camping Revolution
The timing couldn't have been better. South Korea was entering what would become a full-blown camping boom. But just like the Japanese outdoor scene, Korean camping culture developed its own distinct character. Rather than seeking isolation in remote wilderness, Korean campers gravitated towards well-equipped sites that blended natural beauty with modern conveniences. Facilities offered flush toilets, kitchen sinks, even Wi-Fi. This was camping reimagined as accessible leisure, where families could experience the restorative power of the outdoors without sacrificing all creature comforts. Claymore's approach to lighting fit this philosophy perfectly: powerful, reliable illumination that didn't require campers to fumble with disposable batteries or compromise on light quality.
The brand's early success established a template. Claymore lanterns featured adjustable colour temperatures, allowing users to switch between cool white for task lighting and warm white for ambient evening glow. They incorporated power bank functionality, recognising that modern adventurers needed to keep devices charged. And they were built with the kind of durability that could withstand the elements whilst remaining lightweight and portable.
The brand was also earning recognition not just for functionality but for design excellence. In 2020, the Claymore V600 Fan – an expansion into portable cooling solutions that could also turbo-charge your campfire – won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, one of the world's most distinguished design competitions. The jury praised its versatility and thoughtful additional features, including the ability to function as both a floor fan and ceiling-mounted unit with a detachable tripod stand.
Engineering Light for Every Adventure
As Claymore's reputation grew, so did its product portfolio. The brand didn't simply iterate on existing designs; it rethought what portable lighting could be. Each new release addressed specific use cases, creating a comprehensive lighting ecosystem for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Ultra series became a cornerstone of Claymore's offering, embodying the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries. The Ultra Mini, weighing just 116 grams and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, delivers 500 lumens across three colour temperatures and runs for up to 24 hours on a single charge. Despite its diminutive size, it carries an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, and includes a quarter-inch socket for tripod mounting. It's the kind of light that disappears in your pack but proves indispensable when darkness falls.
Moving up the range, the Ultra2 series represents Claymore's answer to those who need serious illumination. The Ultra2 3.0 in its largest configuration features a massive 23,200mAh battery capacity and delivers a staggering 2,200 lumens. With an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, it's built for extreme environments – from construction sites to remote expeditions. The armoured design withstands harsh conditions, whilst dual-direction quick charging technology replenishes the battery up to 40 percent faster than standard methods. Runtime extends to an impressive 150 hours on the lowest setting, making it genuinely capable of lighting a week-long expedition.
But Claymore's innovation truly shines in the 3FACE Neo series, which reimagines how area lights distribute illumination. Rather than a single light source, the 3FACE design features LED panels on three sides, creating 180-degree light coverage when activated. Users can choose to illuminate from the centre only or engage all three faces for wide-angle lighting that evenly fills a space.
The series spans four models – from the compact Neo 10 to the powerful Neo 40 – allowing adventurers to select the right balance of size, weight, and luminosity for their needs. The Neo 30, for instance, delivers 8,500 lumens in standard mode and features a turbo function that doubles brightness when maximum illumination is required. The 9,800mAh battery supports up to 80 hours of runtime, and quick charge power bank functionality with a maximum output of 45 watts means it can rapidly charge phones, tablets, or other devices.
Rethinking Head Torches
Whilst area lights formed Claymore's initial reputation, the brand's expansion into headlamps demonstrated its ability to innovate in crowded product categories. Traditional head torches often force users to choose between compact size and meaningful performance. Claymore refused that compromise.
The Heady series introduced a modular approach to wearable lighting. The Heady+, which became the brand's best-selling headlamp, packs 600 lumens and a substantial 3,500mAh Samsung lithium-ion battery into a surprisingly lightweight 104-gram package. But the real innovation lies in its versatility. The headlamp features four distinct lighting modes: focused beam at eight degrees for long-distance visibility, a wider 25-degree focus for general use, a turbo mode combining both, and a diffused light setting that transforms the device into a lightweight area lantern.
This adaptability matters in real-world use. When hiking in the dark, the focused beam projects light up to 150 metres, illuminating the trail ahead. Back at camp, the diffused mode with adjustable colour temperature provides ambient lighting without harsh shadows. The detachable headband allows the Heady+ to clip onto caps or helmets, hang from a carabiner, or mount to a tripod via its integrated quarter-inch socket. It's a head torch that refuses to be just a head torch.
For those who prefer a clip-on solution, the Capon series offers ultra-lightweight options that attach directly to cap brims or helmet edges. The Capon 40B weighs a mere 29 grams – barely noticeable when worn – yet delivers 230 lumens across three lighting modes: spotlight, front flood, and upward flood. The 180-degree adjustable angle ensures light points exactly where it's needed, whether that's trail ahead or work at hand. With rapid USB-C charging reaching full capacity in just 1.5 hours, the Capon range epitomises convenience.
The series expands to meet varying demands. The Capon 120H increases battery capacity and runtime to 45 hours for extended expeditions. The Capon 200H, designed for professional use, features a robust polycarbonate body, stronger clip, and outputs up to 1,000 lumens – sufficient for industrial applications or serious outdoor work. All Capon models maintain the IP54 dust and water resistance rating, ensuring reliability in challenging conditions.
The Philosophy Behind the Products
What distinguishes Claymore isn't merely technical specifications, though those are impressive. It's the underlying philosophy that every product should be compact and lightweight yet powerful and functional. This principle manifests in choices both large and small: using Samsung and LG components for LED panels and batteries, the same technology powering flagship smartphones. Incorporating quick charge functionality as standard rather than optional. Including multiple mounting options – clips, hooks, straps, tripod sockets – so each light adapts to different situations rather than forcing users to adapt to the light.
The company's manufacturing facility maintains stringent quality control processes, with every product undergoing thorough testing before release. This attention to detail earned Claymore certification across multiple international markets, from European CE approval to American ETL certification.
Claymore's design sensibilities reflect broader Korean aesthetics: minimalist forms that prioritise function without sacrificing visual appeal. The tonal palettes – greys, blacks, whites, earth shades, with the odd pop of primary colour for punch – integrate seamlessly with outdoor gear whilst remaining distinctive enough to locate in a packed van or crowded campsite. Controls are intuitive, with soft-touch buttons that provide tactile feedback even when wearing gloves.
A Global Following
From its origins in Bucheon, Claymore has built a loyal international following. The brand's products are now distributed across Asia, Europe, and North America, earning particular devotion among van lifers, wild campers, overlanders, and hikers. Online reviews consistently praise the exceptional battery life, powerful output, and reliability across diverse conditions –from humid Southeast Asian jungles to frigid alpine environments.
In Korea, where the camping market surpassed seven trillion won by 2021 and camping participation doubled during the pandemic years, Claymore has become synonymous with quality outdoor lighting. The brand's presence extends to major outdoor retailers, camping fairs, and specialty shops. Internationally, outdoor enthusiasts discovered Claymore through word-of-mouth recommendations and rave reviews from early adopters who'd experienced the difference between adequate lighting and genuinely exceptional illumination.
What began as a desk lamp manufacturer's lateral move into outdoor products has evolved into something more significant: a brand that consistently delivers on the promise of expanding boundaries. Claymore lighting allows hikers to start earlier and finish later. It transforms a basic campsite into a comfortable temporary home. It provides the confidence to venture further, knowing that when darkness falls, you'll have the light you need.
The Light Ahead
As outdoor recreation continues growing globally, Claymore's approach positions it for sustained relevance. The brand hasn't chased fleeting trends or compromised core principles for market share. Instead, it's remained focused on what it does best: creating exceptional lighting solutions that work harder, last longer, and perform better than adventurers expect.
The progression from 2002's first desk lamp to today's comprehensive outdoor lighting ecosystem demonstrates what's possible when engineering expertise, design excellence, and user-focused innovation converge. Claymore took lessons learned illuminating offices and applied them to mountains, forests, and coastlines. It recognised that outdoor enthusiasts deserved the same quality of light indoors provided – adjustable, reliable, powerful – in formats suited to adventures rather than desks.
For anyone who's fumbled with dying batteries whilst setting up camp in twilight, or relied on a phone torch because traditional lanterns proved inadequate, Claymore offers something better. Not just brighter. Not simply longer-lasting. But genuinely better thought-out, from the quality of light to the versatility of mounting options to the reliability across thousands of hours of use.
That's the real story here. Claymore is the outdoors-oriented face of a Korean company that spent years perfecting light, recognised an opportunity to serve adventurers, and brought the same precision and innovation to the outdoors that it had brought to everyday life. The result illuminates not just campsites, but what's possible when a brand truly understands the people it serves and the experiences it's helping to create.
So, as you clip a Capon to your hat brim for a pre-dawn hike, hang a 3FACE Neo in your tent for evening ambiance, or pack an Ultra Mini for emergency backup, you're carrying more than a light. You're carrying two decades of LED expertise, a design philosophy centred on user needs, and the commitment of a company that believes adventures should never end because the light gave out.