Valyrian steel is folded hundreds of times in the process of forging (I: 20)
Tell us What you Want
Let us know what you want us to make next.
Please vote in this poll.
69 Responses to “Tell us What you Want”
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July 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 am
It looks like Ice is going to be the big winner, unsurprisingly. I can’t wait to see what she’ll be like.
I voted for the Hound’s Helmet, because I really want to get my hands on that. Also, I was wondering…it may be a long way off yet, so you may not have decided, but, when making the helmet, do you think it’d be of a wearable quality, rather than just for display like the swords? It’d just be great to be wearing the Hound’s helmet when going to Octocon in 2010, where GRRM is a Guest of Honour!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Yes, it’d be wearable. And technically, if you just want it for a costume, all the swords are fine as well. Its when you start attacking people or things with them that you have to worry.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Since you asked… I want a functional, good-steel version of these swords. I’m not afraid of paying $1500+ for a high-quality sword — that means good high-carbon steel that will stand up to actual use, and hold an edge; hilt and pommel not made of cheap composite or plastic but hardwood or preferably metal. I don’t buy fake stainless-steel swords. I’ve had them fly apart in my hands doing simple drills.
Make swords that are worthy of the realism that GRRM has brought to epic fantasy. Make swords that I won’t be embarassed to hang on my wall. Make decorative versions too, I don’t care.. I just won’t buy them. I’ll buy the real thing and so will others.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
We may one day Matthew, but you must realize the casual fan is unlikely to spend $1500 on a sword.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
ICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
If Hounds Helm is Created will it be Mountable on the wall?? i plan on having the whole collection that you create so i was curious if all will be mountable for my “A Song of Ice and Fire” room..
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
It’d include a shelf stand, but not be wall mountable… so you’d need a shelf.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
#1 will needle have a mount.. #2 i agree ice should be made.. but the splendor of dawn is being forgotten.. also i couldn’t think of any helm wise except for gendry’s bull.. maybe roberts helm from the trident if its gonna go as far as dothraki swords you might as well look into the items of old
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
small shields from all the houses.. sorry but i’m very pleased with your direwolf sigil and would love to see your greyjoy and lannister
July 24th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Oh certainly shields, of probably atleast the great houses, we’ll do. The shields and helms will probably be smaller edition sizes, 1000 pcs.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Talking about shields I would love to see Duncan the Tall’s shield. With the tree and the shooting star. I think it would look great.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:58 am
1. ICE
2. Needle
3. Oathkeeper & Widows Wail
4. Blackfyre
5. House Shields
6. Miniture metal Replicas of the Famous armors (Knight of Flowers, The Hound, Jaime, etc)Include a mock shield and sword
7. Dark Sister
8. Famous Helms
9. Heartsbane
10. Lady Forlorn
11. Red Rain
12. Nightfall
That should make for a busy first year. Get to work…
July 24th, 2008 at 9:03 am
3. Oathkeeper & Widows Wail
than Ice
July 24th, 2008 at 9:07 am
I have to jump in with Matthew here. I too would like fully functional carbon steel blades. I am actually rather disappointed with Longclaw. Etched stainless? This sword screamed to be done in carbon steel. It would have been a crowning piece to any collection. As it stands, I can’t really see spending the price for a decorative-only piece.
Also, on the same topic, there is absolutely NO need to pay $1,500 for a good combat blade. There is a fairly wide range of GOOD combat blades on the market for under the $300 mark.
As an aside, I voted Dothraki, as I have a personal love of slicer/choppers. That and the fact that I have to always ask, just how many variations of a longsword can one make before they all start to look the same?
July 24th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Matthew, I have to agree with VS on this one — you and others would definitely buy the more expensive “real” swords, but you’d be outnumbered by the more casual fan who is content with the cheaper versions. I hope that if VS does make the swords that cost in the $1500 range that it’s profitable for them, but right now, I don’t think it’ll be very cost effective.
That said, add me to the group of people who voted for Ice. I think that Ice needs to be made before Heartsbane and Oathkeeper are made, simply because of the “timeline” in regards to the swords. Am I making any sense? (If not, that’s okay, I’m not surprised.)
I keep saying it, but thank you Valyrian Steel! I am so looking forward to owning these swords and helms and the like.
July 24th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Why is Lightbringer not in the list. Or Robert Baratheon’s Hammer? Can you tell i’m a Baratheon fan?
July 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Lightbringer is fake isn’t it? Maybe I’m misremembering but didn’t Stannis confess in AFFC that he uses a different sword for each showing?
Roberts Hammer is possible though.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Hopefully, ICE.
July 24th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I’m picturing it right now. All ASOIAF fans close your eyes and picture it with me : A big white wall, on the center of it hangs the great sword Ice, surounded by Oathkeeper on the left and widows wail on the right…huh? awesome right?
July 24th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Well, i think Ice is most popular sword, but Oathkeeper would be both best looking sword, and probably the sword that would bring you many buyers that are not Martin fans.
Also i see you answered Matthew that you expect a few people to buy 1500+ dollar swords, and i understand that it is highly questionable if you can see the money at the end of that ‘adventure’.
But i think that you could maybe have 2 versions of Longclaw. Guards that are nikel plated can sometimes look cheap. And there is no way for me to be sure how it really looks until i see the sword myself, in real, and not just on picture. Genuine leather sounds cool, but i am also worried about pommel material. I am surprised that there is no scabbard, and that plaque is not some ‘easy’ wooden material (would look much better, and more expensive).
If the price would go up, i am still sure that many would still buy it, including those like Matthew and me. It is not all about carbon steel, but the fact that carbon steel swords, often come with other ‘high end’ materials, and those swords look often very very good.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Heartsbane! TARLYYYYYYYY!
July 24th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I voted for Blackfyre because I love House Targaryen. I think Ice will look cool, but seeing as how it only appears for part of the first novel, I’m not as jazzed on it as other people. Incidentally I completely agree with kristof, I want to see Robert;s hammer. As a weapon collector, I have yet to find a cool warhammer. On a side note, I ordered my copy of Longclaw, can’t wait.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Ron’s got it right - there can be balance between form, function AND price. Tempered HC steel needn’t break anyone’s bank and it would greatly increase the appeal to sword enthusiasts while not detracting from those who simply want a pretty wall-hanger from GRRM’s world. By far my fav character is Arya, and the Braavosi fighting style likewise appeals to me, so I will buy Needle, no matter what kind of steel is used. I’m also likely to pick up one or two other non-sword pieces - but certainly not Longclaw or Ice in 440ss. I just can’t.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I voted for the Hound’s helmet. I think it would be the most visually appealing all by itself.
I don’t think that there is a bad choice on that list. I too would love to see Robert’s hammer, that would be sweet. Anything from House Targaryen would be AWESOME!!
Keep up the great work.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I’m surprised that no one has brought up the dragon bone dagger that was sent to kill Bran in the first book. This is the dagger that started the war. Personally, I’d love to add it to my collection and the sooner the better. So, my vote is for the dagger, right after Needle and Ice.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I went for Ice and Dawn. I’d love to see Dawn. Oathkeeper, too.
July 24th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I’ve been dying to see ICE! The sooner the better.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I’d also like the house shields. For a sword I’d like Oathkeeper.
July 24th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Oh come on i loveIce and allthe others as much as the next guy but the sword i really want to see is Ser Arthur Dayne’s, the Sword of Morning. Any chance?
July 24th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
That is Dawn Colm, it is on the list, and likely will be made (though, maybe not for a year or two - unless it appears in ADWD and gets more popular).
The question is, how do we make it? The idea I’m toying with right now is titanium, which is a whiter metal, but we’ll see.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Voted for Dawn. Bring on the morning, Arthur!
July 25th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I’d love to see and own shields of all the great houses.
Especially a Greyjoy one. I hope these will be made..
July 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
A couple people have misread me to mean that ONLY high-quality and expensive swords should be made. Of course I don’t mean that. If it’s going to hang on the wall and little more, there’s no need to pay for a functional sword. Problem is.. I don’t hang stuff on my wall I can’t use, so if you make only the cheap stuff I won’t get any of it. Lots of other people probably will, so I understand the business case for keeping the price low. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a business case for people who are serious about their swords.
To someone else: Yes, you can get cheap(er) and functional. I’m talking functional, artistic, handmade, and unique in that price range. Good stuff, not just “good enough”.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
i would like to see ice and hound’s helm
July 25th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I want to see Widow’s Wail or Oathkeeper.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I have have already pre-ordered Longclaw and would buy as many of the other items in the poll as possible. I am disappointed to see that more people did not vote for Areo Hotah’s Pole Axe (I did. Don’t underestimate the coolness of the Pole Axe! I would also love to see Robert’s War Hammer. I might buy two of those…
July 26th, 2008 at 12:44 am
I’m just throwing it out there, because I didn’t see it mentioned, but:
What of Meera Reed’s spear and net combo? I only think of this because I get to masquerade as my own version of her at the local upcoming Ren Faire.
Hooray for the crannogmen!
July 26th, 2008 at 6:36 am
I’m assuming that Ice or Oathkeeper should be the next sword done, but I would love to see a Dornish spear produced.
I can’t really afford to buy any of these swords, but if at some time in the future a Dornish spear was produced I think I would have to buy it, whatever the price.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:16 am
After reading over the comments, I think Mel is right in thinking that there should be some dragon bone blades. After all, they seem to be at the heart of the story.
In my opinion you should create at least one knife, if not more. Dragon bone knives in the books aren’t specific. That is they don’t have a single specific description to follow so you can theoretically make as many different types/styles as you please.
You can sell them for a fraction of the sword price and help out GRRM fans that don’t have hundreds of dollars to spare.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:21 am
(sorry for the triple post),
Valyrian, if you are entertaining the idea of creating shields in the house colours perhaps you could create banners in house colours.
That could be a simple, cheap money earner for you in between sword sales.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:31 am
(sorry for another post)
Just to clarify in regard to the dragon bone dagger - I think the dagger that was used in the assasinasion attempt on Bran should be created, but I also think that there is a possibility for other random daggers to be created aswell (if it is cost worthy for Valyrian, of course)
July 26th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Would love to do banners, but our license doesn’t cover that.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Cool stuff, but i rather have anithing but ice, not that i hate it, it’s just… why do all the swords gotta be Stark’s?? I’d love to got anything else, like a Dornish spear, but Arthur Dayne’s sword would be awesome. Unbowed, unbend, unbroken.
July 26th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Well I voted for Oathkeeper, Kingslayer’s Blade, Ice and Dawn (I can vote for multiple can’t I?). Can’t wait for any of them. Longclaw looks great, and I’m sure the rest of the line will compare. I’ve been subscribing to Valyrian’s updates since the site first opened over a year ago, eagerly anticipating your work. Just got my paycheck, and will be ordering Longclaw after I post this. I wanted to add a couple things too.
Once you guys start releasing the blades, do you intend to settle into a faster release schedule? Waiting for only 2 blades a year would be torture. A new blade every quarter would be great. I know it might be tough working on multiple blades at once, but I’m sure the response will be worth it. Maybe release a smaller blade after each greatsword? The assassin’s dragonbone dagger would be great, like others suggested.
I’ve seen some dealers of limited numbered collectors items allow buyers to place holds on the same number for future items. Would you guys be willing and able to do that? For example, if I happen to order Longclaw #525 could I be entitled to a hold on Needle #525 and so on unless I forfeit that item? I know some collectors like having the same “number” of all the items in a set, and I certainly intend to own all of these blades.
I realized while looking at the poll that I have no idea how many of these blades are supposed to look. Lady Forlorn, Dark Sister, Heartsbane, Blackfyre, all those ancient House blades are pretty nondescript. Perhaps some basic sketches of all the blades would be helpful to judge exactly which blades we would like? Nothing too ornate or accurate, just a rough idea of how the blades might look to give us better foresight.
Well, can’t wait to receive Longclaw, and I really look forward to the rest of the series. Keep ‘em comin’!
July 26th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
We’re trying to get the swords out as fast as we can. As soon as GRRM issues an approval for a design, we start working on the next one. The thing is, with his schedule, it is sometimes hard getting the approvals, and with Longclaw in particular there was a lot of delays as it was the first Valyrian steel blade and so we had to work to define how we’d do the sword ripples.
But in anycase, we’re not purposefully pacing ourselves. It may come to that, if all the business capital is tied up in existing inventory that isn’t selling we’ll have to slow down, but as long as the blades sell well we’ll just keep going as fast as we can get the designs approved.
Which is also of course why we can’t give you designs of those other swords, there are none, and making them up without getting them approved would be pointless since they wouldn’t be designs we could use.
Also, as to the # thing, not really something we can do.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
All I can say is that I’m looking forward to all the blades you at Valyrian can come up with for “The Song of Ice and Fire!”
It seems like there are a few people out there that have no idea what it cost for you to make a great sword for a resonable price, (And not be a major knife or sword company now-a-days.) What do they want, a fully functual true damascus blade, rare wood and metal hilts and scales? Maybe throw in a real jewel or two here and there? A gold wire wraped around the leather grips? Ha!
Sure you can get a functual sword with 1055 or 1095 carbon steel, maybe even for under the 300+ mark if you are really lucky (Made in China more then not LOL,) but those blades are just as much crap as any 440a or 420j at those lower prices. After all a “Good” knife will cost you around 200+ and one with the looks of these swords with real steel like VG-10, S30V or ZDP 189 (just to say a few of the top steels out there), wow you are talking lots of money guys!
I’m not trying to be rude but before you start yelling at me or saying i dont know what I’m saying LOL i buy AND sell knives and swords for a living. I sujest you research some before you talk. We arn’t buying any 30 swords for $30 of of some infomercial here! $1500+ would be amazing for some of the swords in a higher quality!
Thanks again Valyrian Steel! Keep up the good work!
July 29th, 2008 at 7:37 am
This is rather random but if martin is approving these and they go through is there any idea of (if of course the show goes through) the designs and prototypes you have being used… this would increase the resale value unbelievably
July 29th, 2008 at 8:27 am
We hope so Dire Oath, but we don’t know at this point.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:10 am
please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please
make
DAWN!!!
July 31st, 2008 at 4:43 am
Do you plan to make wearable armor, such as Jaime Lannister’s or Loras Tyrell’s plate?
July 31st, 2008 at 6:17 am
Highly unlikely. You never know though. If we did it would be extremely limited, like 10 total.
August 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 am
How are sales going on Longclaw? This may be rather personal but i am very concerned with the well being of your company, for it provides me with a rare oppurtunity.. i don’t want to buy half the swords and you guys go bankrupt
August 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I ordered Long Claw, can’t wait for Ice. I noticed people asking about Dawn but I was wondering how About Roberts Hammer?
August 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I too have been in the loop since this first posted, and can tell you that I am seriously looking forward to receiving my copy of Longclaw. Like several others on this site, I also intend to own one of each piece produced.
Although high carbon would be splendid, I would have to agree with Becky. Affordable is the way to go…and is definitely in scope for my goal to own one of each of these pieces. Not to mention, I have no intention of throwing my collectors items into battle.
With that said, Ice has been at the top of my list since the beginning.
One or two swords a year is fine by me, especially after seeing what you’ve done with Longclaw. You are doing a wonderful job, and at least the wait for the swords isn’t as long as the wait between books.
September 20th, 2008 at 1:56 am
Hi there,
WOW, where have I been hiding?
So great to see that you are making these swords…
The one I really want is ICE!
Are you able to reprodiuce the red in the blades suggesting Valerian steel?
I look forward to these.
I am a prop collector and swords are a great part of my collection. When I first read “Thrones” I thought how cool it would be to have ICE.
Anyway…I will be watching this site now eagerly
Thanks!
September 21st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
The only ones with red are Oathkeeper and Widow’s Wail, both of which were merely dyed by Tywin Lannister because that is how he rolls.
And yes, we have various methods of replicated that.
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Here’s another vote for Robert’s Hammer. I agree with the call for at least one functional weapon and the war hammer would be perfect. Why? It seems like it would be far, far cheaper to produce a usable war hammer than a sword because the hammer is everything the sword is not (why I love it). All these swords are beautiful, highly decorated showpieces, the hammer is a mean and nasty blunt object, simple and to the point. There’s no such thing as a pretty hammer, in my opinion.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Many posts have talked about replicas, but I have not seen anyone ask for the item that is talked about alot, “the iron throne”. It would be a nice peice to add to a collection.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I second all the votes for Robert’s Warhammer. It would give diversity and something I have rarely seen in quality anywhere else. Not to mention for any Ren Faire lovers a hammer would be something nothing short of awesome to sport. I also would love to see Littlefinger’s dagger. The one that was sent to assassinate Bran. Mainly because one of the biggest plots of intrigue surrounded that dagger and it passed through many hands.
But my #1 vote goes to a Dornish spear. The Red Viper’s of course. It would be the best in my opinion. Nothing like getting a 7 foot
September 26th, 2008 at 8:02 am
I think that longclaw was a great choice for a first sword. You guys are doing great and I can’t wait to see what else you can do. I am really waiting to see what your shields will be like. Since I brought those up, what would you make them out of? In the books it talks a little about pine shields and oak ect. Which do you think you would make?
September 30th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Roberts hammer and ICE!!!! Hammer first for sure make em hold out for ICE 3 verison is alawys best anyways right?
October 20th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Ice and the aforementioned Helms would all be great, but I would like to see some shields painted with all of the main arms of the seven kingdoms. You could vary them slightly in design and size/shape depending on the coat of arms. I just think it would look awesome mounting a full-size shield baring the three-headed Targaryen dragon, or the grey Stark wolf against a snow white field above my fireplace mantle. And please if you do consider making shields make them full size! So many companies making shield “replicas” are made slightly smaller to save on materials or whatever, and as such look ridiculous in person. Also as a side, if you do make the hound’s helm, perhaps Rhaegar’s and/or Robert’s helms from the battle on the trident as well!
November 4th, 2008 at 4:34 am
ITS GOT TO BE DAWN.I WOULD HAVE SAID ICE BUT SINCE
YOU ALREADY SAID THAT WAS YOUR NEXT SWORD,PLEASE MAKE DAWN.
November 15th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I agree that the dagger intended for Bran’s throat would be awesome. I plan on buying each and every piece made in this line. I first only thought of swords, but now I see helms and shields suggested!! Soooooo excited!!!! I’m going to go clear some wall space now…..
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
And I’d also like to suggest a replica of Jaime Lannisters’ Golden Hand! With a little wood base to display it, maybe even with a glass dome to keep it dust free! And also a replica of the Kings’ Hand necklace, with the hands all clasping each other! And also a Maesters’ chain, with all the different links of metal!
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
We don’t have a license to do jewelry, we asked about it, but it has already been granted apparently. Maybe one day we’ll be able to get it.
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Oh well, at least you tried. Once again thank you for the items you are producing, I’m sure it might get irritating to have all of us demanding more than you can realistically do. But on the other hand I hope there are enough of us demanding, that way you all are inclined to make more:)
December 7th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi all,
I have to agree with Matt and others - real steel, that will hold a real edge, may not sell in great numbers, but enough to turn a profit. Figure out how much it will cost you to make “high-end” versions of some of the swords, tack on markup to net 20% per, and make 100 of them - particularly the smaller ones, which will keep your costs (and the price) somewhat lower. Really, not much call for a $3000 broadsword in this economy, but “real” versions of Littlefinger’s dagger? You betcha.
(I’m very glad Needle is coming out in real steel, and I’m seconding the motion for Robert’s Hammer!)
December 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Im suprised more people arnt going for Heartsbane! I know ice is a big 2h too, but we already have 2 stark swords!
Another vote for roberts warhammer too, would be really cool.
Also i have to agree with the people saying a more expensive high end quality longclaw would be amazing!
Thanks Valarian for making these swords!