Many people have been asking for an update on Longclaw progress, so here we go.
Things have taken much longer than we initially wanted. The blade is ready to be manufactured, prototypes are done, tooling is setup, but now we cannot quite get the finish we want. With Longclaw we are establishing the look of all the Valyrian Steel products we are going to be producing, so it is important we get it right, the good news is though that once we do get it right, we will not experience this same delay with any of the other swords. Hopefully we’re able to nail down the right finish by the end of the month, then mass production can start with delivery ending up around May.
We’ve also changed the plaque based on feedback. The design mostly the same but after discussion with GRRM we have tweaked the front leg to be a more realistic angle.
The second sword we will be producing is Needle and we’ve already started the design process on it. Needle should also be simpler to produce and might also end up coming out in 2008. We’re also considering doing Needle in high carbon steel. It may not be possible, but considering the blade is small and needs no special finishing we think it is worth a shot.
The third sword will likely be Ice, unless A Dance with Dragons comes out and features a new sword we want to make instead.
Does this mean Ice wouldn’t be coming out until 2009?
Yay for Updates!
At least they’ll be coming out during the summer. Thanks for changing the plaque, too!
If you can, could you post pictures of the prototypes, as soon as you get the finish right? It’ll good to see what the almost-complete sword looks like!
Yes! Needle! I can’t wait to see the design for this. This is probably the only one I’ll be getting though, due to a tight budget, but I look forward to seeing how Long Claw will look like too.
Been a while since the last update, but good to hear that you are going for quality over speed. Looking forward to pictures of the finished prototype!
Sounds awesome. I’ll probably end up getting both. Hopefully you guys can do Dawn eventually. That would be sweet. If you could please post pictures of the improved Longclaw that would be great.
Holding out for Needle in high carbon steel…
I’m holding out for Needle to be in the high-carbon steel as well. Nice to know not everyone just wants the Valyrian steel style blades like Longclaw and Ice. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great too, but I got a lot of crap from people for liking Needle more.
Ya i think im going to hold for the high carbon needle
long claw could be pretty amazeing tho also… choices choices….
Yes! High-carbon steel Needle! Be sure to temper it properly as well please.
Can’t WAIT to see it – put me down for two or more, as I will gift them to friends!
I think if you guys get down to 2 finishes, you should have us (the fans) vote on them. That’d be rather cool, getting us a bit more involved. I’m hoping I’ll have enough money for the order by the time you guys start taking them. I’m elligable for work at the end of the month, but I’m not guaranteed a job anywhere.
i thought that Needle was just castle forged steel, not Valyrian steel, thats what Arya always says about it. When does it mention Needle as Valyrian?
Needle isn’t Valyrian Steel, but neither are we only making Valyrian Steel swords and armor.
A picture of the whole sword prototype would be amazing.
Hello.
I am very interested in purchasing Oathkeeper when you make it. I would like to have some special modifications made to the pommel, grip and crossguards. I would of course pay extra for this. If possible, I would like to have it in my possession before August 2009. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Thank You.
Sorry, I meant in my possession before August 2008. Thanks.
Dude this isn’t some custom order website…I believe they are busy enough with making the swords they are working on now.
Yes, I am waiting for Needle as well. Maybe it’s just a girl thing? I don’t know, but Needle seems to be a character too. It was amazing how it managed to come back to Arya.
Thanks for the updates and some prototype pics would be awesome.
Nick,
They have said Oathkeeper is on their list. I am merely asking for some modifications to the one I purchase. Failing that, I am asking who I should go to to get the modifications.
PICTURES! We have been patient enough…
Jon Targaryen –
It’s still not a custom website. And expecting to have Oathkeeper in your hands before August 2008 seems a bit of a stretch — Needle and Longclaw are taking time to do (and rightfully so; I and everyone else want it to be just right), and it would be silly to expect them to rush through the design of any other sword just to please one person.
On a lighter note, I just want to add my words of excitement — both my husband and I are looking forward to being able to put in our orders. Please, if you can, we’d love to see pictures of the almost finished swords!
g’day valyrian from OZ!
Longclaw, Needle, Ice and oathkeeper. Boy I would love to get all these + more, but my wife said she would be happy with just one thing (actually three) and they are the three dragon eggs Daenery’s gets as a wedding gift.
She feels they would be great in our display cabinet in the lounge. Are there any thoughts of producing these in the future? When this site first began I remember someone asking about the maesters chains and you wasn’t sure if you were going to go that way. We would love to know your thoughts now!
Thanks
Dang. Does this mean that you guys won’t be making prominent weapons that aren’t swords e.g. Robert Baratheon’s warhammer? I’d love to see what the warhammer actually looks like. A Dothraki arakh would be bloody awesome too.
I wonder if these swords will take as long to come out as GRRM’s next book?
Rebecca –
I know it is not custom order. As I said before, I would like to know who to go to to get modifications. I did not know how long it was taking them for the swords. I guess August 2010 would be more reasonable.
I will purchase Longclaw. Where/when can I order?
I’m personally very interested in the progress of these replicas, though I’m still hesitant on the whole implementation of stainless steel… I would very much appreciate it if, whenever you perhaps reach the point at which you might consider limited quantities of some of the blades with a somewhat more reliable material, I would like to suggest that you request contact to convey interest, rather than rely on sales, as I imagine a fair amount of collectors interested in the limited versions might have abstained from ordering a stainless steel piece in the hopes of acquiring the upgraded version.
Longclaw better be spectacular for it taking over a year to complete.
Longclaw better be spectacular for it taking over a year to complete.
Hmm. I sure hope that Needle comes out this year, I really want to see what it looks like. And before I forget, arakhs FTW!
Valyrian- are we going to see an update anytime soon?
I hope so. Believe me, I hope so.
There will be a prototype of the sword done, in country, next week. We’re really close. The blade finish is finalized, we’re still tweaking the pommel (to make it look like white stone) but we’re really close to sending the final prototype to GRRM for final approval. Then the fun begins, pictures, preordering, all that good stuff.
What about King Robert’s Warhammer? and possibly Gendry’s Bull Helm?
Hey guys, hope all is well, haven’t seen an update here in awhile…
so its been almost a week since the 21st… any chance on that update?
The thought of replicas had barely crossed my mind when I found this site. I was always content (or forced to be) at just leafing through replica catalogues, but just thinking about these has me itching. Most notably Dawn and Ice. Looking forward to more updates!
Yes, so close to seeing what the finish will be! Looking forward to it! Bring on some pics!
WE WANT UPDATES!!!
can we get any pictures? and has GRRM confirmed the prototype yet?
we need pics!
This is ridiculous….at least we could see one picture of the sword after all of us fans have been so patient even after your continuing delays.
Hey, Valyrain, it’s been three weeks since you said you were a week away from a prototype. Did something go terribly wrong, or is GRRM still deciding?
GRRM has been traveling a lot lately and has not had time to review it yet.
As for sharing pictures, there aren’t really any to share. There would be no point in sharing a picture of an unfinished product that is likely to change, and that is what we have now. This prototype is most likely going to change.
They won’t be big changes, just small ones. Mostly the darkness/lightness of the blade will be changed, such a change will not really cause any delays in production since it is so minor (but a normal time period to account for the change will need to take place), but showing you a picture of a blade that is going to change still doesn’t make sense.
We’re also considering changing the plaque to white on gray from white on black, and we’re tinkering with the finish on the wolf head pommel.
All of these things to make sure we bring the market the best and most accurate reproduction possible. This is also still our first sword, and so we’re establishing certain ground rules (such as the look of Valyrian steel) that will not need to be repeated with future blades. Needle, for instance, should go much quicker once we have the concept art done.
I’m hoping that within two weeks of GRRM approving the prototype we’ll be able to both have full sword pictures for sharing, and start taking preorders for it.
We aren’t going to see a picture of longclaw for at least another month….I’m 23 years old will I live long enough to see Ice?
Don’t worry Valyrian…I would rather wait a couple more weeks for a good product than to have a subpar one right now.
Thanks for letting us know whats going on, and very glad you guys are taking the time to make sure the swords look as good as possible!
Hey Valyrian.
Thanks for the update on the 13th. The only thing I might suggest is something along the lines of a more timely or scheduled update on the page to let people know things are still moving along. As for pictures of the prototypes, I personally would LOVE to see them. I am as fascinated by the design process itself as much as by the end product. I’d love to see some of the stages the sword design has gone through, even if it gets released AFTER the product is finalized – from concept sketches to prototypes. I am sure there are others who would love to see this as well.
To those asking for custom work done to swords there is a site for Angus Trim Swords which handles the sale for all of his wonderful blades. I donot have the sites name at my finger tips. Just Google Angus Trim Swords and find your way to Christian Flecther site. He does fantastic work. Costs are not cheap. They should be making these swords because all of there swords are real and have the most wonderful balance and strengh. Check them out.