Valyrian steel is much lighter than one might expect, because it is the only metal that can be beaten as thin as it is and still retain its strength. The ripples in the steel, a mark of steel that has been folded on itself many thousands of times, is also a hallmark (III: 358, 359)
Damascus Longclaw Update
We’ve received word that the Damascus Longclaws will not be ready until July now. I must apologize for this delay. The factory we have contracted to make them just misjudged the amount of time it requires to make a proper Damascus blade, and our quality standards do not allow them to take any short cuts.
So, it is taking a long time, but on the other hand, it is being done right. Mixed blessing I suppose.
About half of the Damascus Longclaws are already sold to preorders by the way.
In the meantime, here is an extreme closeup of one of the blades.
22 Responses to “Damascus Longclaw Update”
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March 26th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Looks, great guys! Wish I had enough $$ to pre-order…Hopefully I can scrounge up enough before they all sell out!
March 27th, 2010 at 8:37 am
So can they throw in or discount enough to make the semiprecious eyes worth including?
March 27th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Thanks for the update, and thanks for maintaining quality. They’re done when they’re done, and they’re only done when they’re done right. The picture looks great.
March 29th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Thank you very much for the update!
).
And, personally, I prefer to wait a few more weeks (let’s say even months) and receive a great sword (as it looks like in the concepts
Patience is a well developed attribute in every GRRM fan (or it should be!)
May 14th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Absolutely amazing
Please come out with Dawn now.
The Sword of the Morning ftw.
June 7th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Hey VS guys - any more updates on Damascus Longclaw? Still on target for July?
Thanks!
June 13th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Please. I also would like to know if its still on target for july. So i can arrange a pick up for it. thx
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Any update on the progress of the Damascus Longclaw would be greatly appreciated.
July 4th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
So, it’s July, can we expect an update when the swords are shipping?
July 5th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Yeah, considering it has been over three months, we need to be told something here…..
July 5th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Can you tell us when the Damascas Long Claw will start shipping?
July 6th, 2010 at 11:27 am
We will be posting a large update soon, we hope to have some new pictures this week or next week, so we’re waiting for them.
Supposedly, some of them are done, by the time they actually reach customers though it will be August, because of the various logistics issues with importing and distribution. But, they’re complete. We’ll know more details soon as our associate is conducting a factory inspection in the next week.
Production has continued to be slower than us or the factory would like to be due to the difficulties of working with damascus.
July 6th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Thank you for the update. I can’t speak for everyone, but as a fan of George R.R. Martin’s work, I have learned that true art requires patience from its would-be appreciators. The update is reassuring though, and makes the waiting slightly easier.
My guess is that when it comes time to produce Ice, things will go smoother, seeing as you will have gone through this process once already.
Thanks again!
July 7th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to the new pics. Is a Longclaw scabbard still a possibility? Personally, I would love one, and I’m sure others (especially damascus buyers) would be equally enthusiastic.
July 11th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I also would like to have a scabbard for the damascus Longclaw.
July 15th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Looking forward to the next damascus pics. Is it still in the cards to make a custom longclaw scabbard? I for one, would for a certainty get one, and I’m sure other existing Longclaw lovers and future damascus owners would jump at the opportunity. I already have the generic large sword scabbard, but judging by your trueness to the books, i’m sure you guys could come up with something truely special for us.
Keep up the wicked work.
July 15th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I disagree with the scabbard supporters. Why would anyone want to conceal such a beautiful blade?
July 16th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I’d love to have a scabbard.
In fact, I’d rather have a scrabbard instead of the Stark emblem wall mount.
July 16th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
So, we’re supposed to be getting a major update between the 13th and the 20th. We’re right in the middle of that now. However, could you explain how “issues with logistics and distribution” would cause a major delay for your domestic distribution? Where are the blades originating? I’m not trying to be argumentative or rude, but as far as I can tell, people have laid down over $30,000 (myself included) dollars so far and have not seen photos of the finished product in production form. If the Damascus Longclaw is of good quality I WILL be pre-ordering a copy of ICE in the same #, but would still like to see a bit more transparency in my high-dollar purchases.
July 17th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Mitch, lots of pictures have been posted. Since preordering has been available. We don’t open preordering until product pictures are available, so no one has placed an order without seeing a picture first.
http://www.valyriansteel.com/shop/swords/longclaw-sword-of-jon-snow/prod_5.html
I have the prototype here. If you like I can take more pictures of it, but they won’t be as clear as the product photos already posted. It certainly does exist though.
Distribution means first we have to ship them by boat, then offload them, then put them through customs, then clear customs, then transfer them from container to truck, then truck them inland to Michigan, then sort them, put in the COAs, and process them for shipping, then UPS has to pick them up, and a week later deliver it to customers. So, when the product is actually done, it takes about 6 weeks to actually get into your hand.
Believe me, no one wants these done sooner and in your hands more than we do. Nothing would make me happier than to wake up tommorow and find out they’re all done.
I will be posting a more thorough explanation and update soon, as I have said, but it comes down to the factory we hired to make the swords overestimated the speed at which they could do hand forged damascus at the quality level we require, so the initial estimates were and continue to be way off.
July 19th, 2010 at 12:36 am
Thanks for the timely response. My comment about the pictures was mainly that we hadn’t seen a picture of a production version yet. As for shipping, I was initially under the impression that the manufacturer was based in the US. I now see that I was incorrect.
Thanks again.
July 20th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
That thing looks like a super grainy piece of wood! I wish I could afford one!!! So jealous of everyone who’s getting one.