What smote Rhaegar on the Trident you ask? This.
In honor if it being just 1 month until HBO’s Game of Thrones comes to TV we decided to release concept art for our next item.
In making this, GRRM typically had one piece of feedback for us “It needs to be bigger.” He said, so we kept making it bigger, the hammer head itself ended up pretty massive. So big in fact that it posed some manufacturing issues for us (why do we always end up there? Ice is big and caused problems because of it, Damascus Longclaw is the biggest damascus blade they ever did, and that caused problems, oh how I pine for Needle, the easy sword to produce).
George R.R. Martin says that this design is his favorite of the now 4 items we’ve done. I don’t remember the exact words, but he wrote something along the lines of “Yes yes yes!” when he first saw this concept art with the hand in for scale.
For the colors of the item we wanted to mimic the black on gold of the Baratheon heraldry. The yellowish bits you see will also be gold plated, for the color and to denote the wealth and power of house Baratheon. Inscribed into the side of the head is a fanciful crowned stag, and on the opposite side will be the word Fury, taken from the house words “Ours is the Fury.”
And now, because I know someone will ask. We’re hoping May for Ice and the rest of the damascus Longclaws.
Oh. My. God.
That’s amazing work!
But how much is that going to weigh? A giant’s strength indeed..
Awesome, send me a price now. Looks like i have an addition to the collection.
WANT.
I’m 6’2″, 17 stone… and I’d be scared to swing that thing without hurting myself >8)
Oh my god… I wanna walk around with that
I need two – one for each hand!
Freakin’ awesome! I was hoping it would end up looking this good!
I don’t suppose there is going to be a “damascus” version of this one? Figured it might not have the same issues as a blade. What can I say – I like higher quality limited releases!
I think I can afford to buy this. Not sure about the shipping, though – might be cheaper to come visit at Valyrian Steel headquarters once a year!
Do you have a projection on when you’ll open up preorders?
We’ll issue a warning when we do so, but it will not be for some time. We don’t even have a prototype yet. Then GRRM has to sign off, then it goes to the photographer, then we can open up preorders.
There will not be a damascus version. We’re only doing damascus version of “Valyrian Steel” items from the books, because that is what they’re supposed to be. Items like this hammer (or Needle) will not have damascus versions made just because, and in anycase I don’t even think it’d be possible, hammer heads like this are cast, not forged.
I’m a bit concerned about shipping. Is the handle going to be 2 piece to shorten box length? If so please ensure quality bindings. I’ve seen so many attracive products fail to get my purchase because of a wobbly handle.
I have faith in VS, but I wanted to voice my concern before you get out of proto stage.
I am looking forward to something non-Stark to hang on the wall. While I prefer swords, I do have an axe than requires a replacement due to the high quality of the Vs blades surrounding it on the wall.
the hammer isn’t overall that long, it will not ship in 2 pieces.
It will be somewhat heavy, and the box will be bulkier, but not that long.
If we ever did a spear or a lance, that might have to ship in two bits.
Once again….You have thoroughly impressed, I can’t wait to explain why I know need a warhammer to the wife to go along with all my swords! Can’t Wait!
This looks amazing. I’m a huge fan of all your work. Id love to see some armor made from you guys. The Hound’s Helm would definitly be sitting at my house if you ever made that
If you think about a man in full armor holding the hammer, I would think the head would be bigger. Looks beautiful none the less.
Great work! Gratz Valyrian!
Can’t wait for the preorder…
The hammer does look great, but I have one nit-picky comment – the stag would not yet have been crowned if this was the hammer used to fight Rhaegar, as Robert was not yet king
I have two of your swords so far…looks like I will be adding a hammer. Very good work and I am very pleased it will be a one-piece work. Looking forward to more details. Cheers.
Speaking of Ice…I haven’t yet purchased it…I am waiting on a damascus version. Not looking for a when…just an if…
Is it still in the plans to do a damascus version? I am patient…just don;t want to miss out on Ice if the current version is going to be the only one.
We can’t confirm it yet jake. We’re actively pursuing it.
But, if we do make it, with as long as the damascus Longclaw took, I could see it taking until 2013 to actually get it to people.
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Absolutely AWESOME!!! Will this be mounted the same way as the swords? I’m just thinking of the weight hanging off the wall. And how much you think it’ll be more or less? – need to start saving. Can’t wait for my Ice – Longclaw is getting lonely. Loving your work VS!
It will come with a wall plaque, though obviously not exactly the same kind of hooks as the swords. The price will probably be around ~$250. Slightly more expensive than Longclaw.
Love the hammer, crown or no, cannot wait. When the Damascus Ice comes out I will buy one.
George R.R. Martin addressed the issue of the crowned stag in his blog. The Baratheons took the sigil of the old storm kings from before the conquest, which was a crowned stag. So the crown is accurate according to the author himself.
Yes, what Jake said. Remember, the 7 kingdoms were, indeed, 7 kingdoms, each with a King. And the old major houses are quite old, and so their heraldy would have been made long ago.
Remembers me of a pollaxe, which is pretty good.
Hell I can’t wait to buy this and preorder Ice and purchase Needle. I’m one of your proud owners of the limited Damascus Longclaw. I have to say it was well designed and well worth the wait. You all do choose your crafts well.
Thank you! Robert’s Hammer will always be the coolest weapon from the novels, the Valyrian swords may get the ooh’s and aah’s, but the hammer ended up on the throne.
For the one comment concerned about it’s size, go pick up a 12-lb sledge and swing it one-handed.
For VS, I have one comment and one question: First, please don’t make it too pretty, a war hammer is a brutal, ugly thing. The steel should look rough and menacing. Second, will it be functional? As in the next time I need to knock down some drywall?
This thing looks beastly. I just ordered Longclaw, Needle and preorded Ice. Can’t wait to preorder this bad boy.
I was wondering what kind of steel you are using in the casting to make the war hammer?
I’m with Connor in wondering if it will be made with functionality in mind. I am curious about the swords as well. Are these weapons tempered and able to keep an edge, or only wall hangers?
We haven’t nailed down the hammer materials yet, but there will be at least some zinc parts. It is so large factories balked at doing it in steel. We’re going to wait and evaluate the prototype.
As for the swords, it depends. Needle is high carbon steel, damascus versions are damascus steel, those will hold an edge (but sparring with such valuable items would be the height of folly IMO). The stainless ones not as easily.
Two links for reading on the type of stainless we use (440)
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081223213756AAxerYV
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101202152358AAJD2Qt
In the end, we have to try to strike a balance. If we use high carbon steel some people complain that they have to maintain it, or that it starts to pit or rust. If we use stainless steel some people complain it is less authentic. So we’re trying to do some of each.
I’ve been wavering on whether or not to buy one of your awesome swords, but with this there is no vacillation.
This will be mine.
Indeed, no doubt about this one.
I am not one to buy much merchandise, but even while reading the books Robert’s hammer was always my favorite weapon, and the look is damn near nailed (oh, the pun). Consider this an honest expression of interest from me, a random man on the internet.
Just out of curiosity, is there a reason you went with a spiked head rather than a flat one? Looks great regardless, but it’d be interesting to know.
I will buy this.
The handle looks too thin for what the hammer must accomplish.
It seems the handle would benefit from a knob of some sort or just getting larger near the end, before the spike. think of swinging a bat or even a real hammer end flares some. This helps maintain grip. Otherwise it looks great.
I like it, but the artwork on the side of the head looks like a little girl wearing a dress. I don’t see that striking fear into the hearts of men.
I wonder why all fantasy weapons look like they could never really be used. I could see this as maybe being a parade ground, only-for-show warhammer but definitely not something that could ever be used in battle.
I love it even more then Ice. And I LOVED ice. I must say GRRM was right about the size, that thing is dead sexy. I will buy it.
I have to say I’m always wondering why warhammers look like sledgehammers in fantasy productions. I can’t imagine that doing much damage to an armored opponent unless he’s not moving.
I haven’t bought a weapon yet, but this definitely attracts me much more than the swords. Much more unique, and I’ll probably be among the preorders.
I like the design but I wish you wouldn’t inscribe ‘Fury’ on it. Just like ‘Winter is Coming’ on the Ice blade, it makes it feel a lot more gimmicky.
The production version will not have “Fury”
im only 14, im 6.1ft, 18 stone, and i just want to walk around (not in public obvously) with it on my back or in my hand or if its not too large, in my belt and say proudly “I, Robert Baratheon, King Of The Seven Kingdoms, Hereby Claim The Iron Throne!” iv has da chills already, and then for the next 50 years, it will be on my wall, as my proudest piece of fan art
oh n yeah, will it be funcional or a wall hanger? i, and i think anyone else too would sacrifice a bit of fancy pants deco for a proper hammer thx 4 listening
Did you see the video Richard? Its on the product page.
Is the hammer available to buy?
Yes, though it will be a few days before it ships for you if you order right now.
Can you give me the dynamics?
Dear Sir,
We are Manufacturers and Exporters of all kind of Knives, Laguiole
Knives, Swords, Daggers, Axes and Damascus knives.
Some pictures attach with this mail please see it and confirm to us
which you need for your markets and also your customers. Please if you
have your own design so please pictures send us with complete details.
Awaiting your reply with good response.
Thanks/Best Regards
Tahir Zaman
Export Manager
Aziqa Enterprises
Kot Khaziri
Behind Cheema Market
G.T.Road Wazirabad,,Pakistan
Cell: +92 305 4748251
E.Mail: aziqaent@gmail.com
Will there ever be a “Live Steel” (i.e. fully functional) hammer made? Because that would make one Hell of a great addition to my collection…
Just hand made one.4 ft,8 inches long(143cms),weighs 13.2 lbs(6kgs),from Australian hardwood,took about 1 week to carve head and another to assemble and rough paint.My friend bought one but Customs destroyed the shipment so i scatch built one for him.