Bad news, more delays on Ice. Apparently the factory we hired to make them is having staffing problems, so they tell us. Excuses are just that though, excuses. I’m sorry it has taken so long, normally the stainless blades do not take this long. At this point I don’t even know if we’ll get them to you by the season finale of the series on HBO, when they were originally supposed to have been here by now, before it started.

As always, those who’ve ordered but are now tired of waiting can request refunds. We’re going to try to see about getting a partial shipment here sooner. But I can’t make any promises. The remaining damascus Longclaws are in the same situation.

I apologize for the delays, believe me, we wanted to have the sword out to coincide with the series, but it looks like it may not happen. As it stands, the earliest for a full shipment is likely to be July. Who remembers the Seinfeld restaurant episode? “When will our table be ready? 5, 10 minute.”

21 Thoughts on “Ice Update

  1. Too bad HBO can’t make their swords. Every sword I’ve seen in the previews is freakin sweet. Plus I bet they could come out with more than 3 swords in 3 years. The site has just been a disappointment. It’s too bad too cause I was pretty excited when GRRM first talked about it in winter of 07. Haven’t seen a sword I’ve liked yet.

  2. There is disappointment as the show is starting up, but as in all things, labor cannot be controlled and it is not worth going half a$$ed.

    I love every Valyrian product and have them all. HBO charging $25 for a mug or t-shirt and high shipping is interesting from a mass market perspective, but they are just reselling crap or stuff you can get cheaper at a high margin.

    Maybe doing the Damascus version first and allowing folks on the list to upgrade would solve two issues, and then bring on oathkeeper :)

  3. Margie on April 16, 2011 at 7:01 am said:

    I have to agree with Tim. I’ve got the stainless Longclaw and I love it. I ordered Ice months ago but I’m not going to withdraw my order because I really want this sword and I will be ordering Robert’s hammer as well. VS does great work. I am dissappointed as I’m sure everyone who’ve already ordered will be and I can only hope that VS sort out their manufacturing somewhere along the line. But on the other hand aren’t we fans of GRRM used to waiting? (lol tongue in cheek – just kidding Mr. Martin – I’m still a big fan!!!)

  4. Sorry for the bad luck, but hang in there VS and fans. We own Needle and Damascus Longclaw, and they are truly works of art – well worth the faith and wait. In small batch production you can run into problems, but you can also produce truly one-of-a-kind items. I look forward to the War Hammer; then we can have one of your products in every room. Instead of the Lincoln Bedroom, we can have the Jon, Robert, and Arya rooms.

  5. Jason H. on April 16, 2011 at 5:05 pm said:

    Well this is certainly dissapointing, but these things happen. As much as I would like Ice, I’m tight on funds as it is. My copies of Longclaw and Needle are both excellent work, and I’m more than willing to wait until Ice is ready. Hey, I’ve been waiting 4 years for A Dance with Dragons. Take care guys and I hope everything works out for the best.

  6. Greg Christiansen on April 17, 2011 at 9:42 pm said:

    Like Margie said. Any of use true fans of GRRM are use to waiting. And from my time in the American Army I learned one this, waiting is simple crying about something is harder and all it does is make you look like you are a child. I ordered my Ice as my birthday gift, that passed months ago, I’m not going to ask for my money back instead I will be here enjoying the show and reading the next book and be even happyer when my Ice arrives dearing the summer.

  7. Dwayne on April 18, 2011 at 7:00 am said:

    VS – you have excellent designs and the products to date have been awesome. I will happily wait for Ice and will eagerly wait for Robert’s warhammer.

    As for the first HBO comment – All the weapons I’ve seen from the show do not look half as good as the items you’re designing!

  8. Even though my Needle has grown some major pock marks (not typical finger print rust issues here), I still enjoy looking at it and Longclaw. I won’t be withdrawing my pre-order for Ice. I really like these swords and they are heads above even some of my hand forged stuff, which says alot.

    I know how the suplier thing goes. I’ve been waiting over a year for parts on a vehicle at work… only one company makes them and they’re in Asia with multiple translation relays we’re still “only few days done away from ships”. Shit happens.

    Unlike my situation, I’d like to think Valyrian is holding out for quality… And I’ll wait for that.

  9. I’m keeping my Ice preorder.Love both Longclaw and Needle.

  10. Nathaniel on May 9, 2011 at 8:58 pm said:

    Definitely waiting. I am impressed with the other blades so far and my wall needs Ice. I find it a bit humorous that the first poster compares VS to HBO’s non-existent sword production. I find the statement somewhat ignorant and hope that people who read it are not turned away from the fine products offered to us by VS. Thanks for the heads up Valyrian, things happen. Waiting patiently and with baited breath. :)

  11. Dave on May 24, 2011 at 12:22 pm said:

    What’s exceptionally funny about the first poster’s comment is that he seems to be really geeking out about the swords he has seen in the preview. Most of those swords, especially HBO’s version of Ice look just like the generic two handers anyone can buy for $99 at any crappy kiosk in the US. Good eye.

    I’d much rather have a version of the sword that was personally signed off on by the creator of the characters and blades. Whether some people like them or not is utterly irrelevant, that’s the way they look and they just need to deal with it or go someplace else.

  12. Kieran on May 27, 2011 at 1:05 pm said:

    Hello, I was just wondering if anyone knew why the Eddard Starks’ ‘Ice’ in the show looks very little like the one for sale here? It has a standard pommel instead of a stylized white one and it’s blade is far less awesome. I am considerign buying ‘Ice’ for my birthday but if it’s defferent from the show, is it really ‘Ice’?

  13. Yes, it is really Ice. Our swords are designed with George R.R. Martin. HBO’s swords are designed by HBO prop designers. GRRM has said our swords are canonical for his book universe. That the show looks different is just because HBO took things in a different direction, like many of the changes they made from the books.

    Our sword comes with a certificate with GRRM’s actual autograph on it saying that this is, indeed, Ice, as he envisioned it.

  14. Kieran on May 29, 2011 at 7:16 am said:

    Okay, thank you for answering my question, I am glad that your version is Ice! It’s far cooler than the… well, garden variety Ice of the show :P

    I will try to persuade my parents to let me buy this for my birthday in August!

    Just out of curiosity, do you think that weapons are underplayed in the show? Not anywhere near as much importance was placed on Eddards sword in the show, I doubt when it is melted down and made into Oathkeeper that many of the Tv watchers will understand the significance, or that HBO’s Ice is even special!

  15. Margie on May 31, 2011 at 1:33 am said:

    HBO’s Ice is rather pedestrian but I guess it was a production-type decision. To be honest I wouldn’t have bothered with the HBO weapons even if they were going to release replicas. Other than that the show is awesome though – and yes I even like the opening credits that seem to be controversial among fans. So on that note I am (and I’m sure all who is waiting) dying for an update on Ice. Has the factory sorted their labour issues yet? And when oh when wil we see a prototype of Robert’s hammer? Can’t wait!!!

  16. Jamie on June 6, 2011 at 5:43 pm said:

    Are there plans for a Damascus Ice?

  17. Yes, we’re trying to make it.

  18. Scott Linderman on June 10, 2011 at 5:44 pm said:

    I wants it I wants it and am gonna wait (tho havin DTs ) for it ! Hope it arrives soon !!!

  19. Can you give us a rough estimate on when Ice will start shipping out?

    I hope it’ll be here by the fall, because I told my mother that I’ve ordered a sword and promised to show it to her (she lives abroad and she’s coming back once in a while).

  20. The end of July.

  21. sean on June 21, 2011 at 8:39 am said:

    The Longclaw in the Series has a way sicker wolf pommel than the one VS makes. The wolf if far more fierce in the series.

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