He didn't strike Shakespeare as a sword carrier (8)
I believe the answer is:
scabbard
'a sword carrier' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'he didn't strike shakespeare' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'he' could be 'bard' and 'bard' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'scab' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scabbard that I've seen before include "place of weapon" , "You may see one holding a dagger" , "Something to stick the knife into" , "foil container?" , "Brand protector" .)