Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2011 23:55:42 GMT
hello (i've done a search and nothing came up from my query) as you can tell, I'm a newbie sword guy, I'm interested in buying my first sword, from what seems to be a new sword company, Valyrian Steel. www.valyrian-steel.com making officially licensed products from George RR Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series. what I'm interested in getting is a damascus "Ice" ... a giant 2hander... for $700 was wondering if any one has knows if these guys make good stuff. it'd mainly be ornamental, but knowing me, sooner or later I'd want to swing it at stuff therefore, I'd dish out the extra bucks and get the Damascus instead of the wall hanger. any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Sept 16, 2011 0:10:19 GMT
I've not handled them... but judging by looks and impressions, I would not trust the weapons from them to be functional. If I were to have something from the books made in steel, id go the custom route myself.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2011 0:18:14 GMT
there are wall hangers, but there is one Damascus "Longclaw" that they made www.valyriansteel.com/shop/sword ... rod_5.html and by goign by that one, no good you'd say?
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Post by LittleJP on Sept 16, 2011 0:22:18 GMT
If you were able to accept compromise, I'm guessing the H/T GSOW (Great Sword of War) can come pretty close with some work, and is about 400-500 dollars cheaper.
This requires you to be relatively good with leatherworking and etching, so on and so forth.
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Post by demonskull on Sept 16, 2011 0:45:51 GMT
If you want a wallhanger that's a tribute to the HBO show or the books, go for it. If you do eventually plan on swinging it, then no. Safe sword construction is more costly than decorative sword construction (useing the same materials).
There are numerous threads discussing sword construction here and on other sites. One that comes to mind is on Sword Fourm International, "The Anatomy of a Wallhanger" . Checking some of these posts out will give you a basic understanding of why wallhangers are unsafe to swing.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2011 1:16:28 GMT
thanks for the replies. gives me a bit to think on yet... the sword I want isn't even up for pre order yet. if the Damascus version isn't goign to be truly functional, I just may pass on it.
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jhart06
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Post by jhart06 on Sept 16, 2011 1:57:35 GMT
I would.. To give you an idea.. I love the series.. I love robert baratheon, and I have used warhammers for years.. but the hammer they are making by robert follows their swords.. it looks a treat, but is about as effective as a lead balloon.
I think in part this is due to, and take no offense I love the man and his work, a fantasy author having direct control over how it should look..
You know their prototype hammer looked and was the same dimensions, and Martin said to make it heavier, and they went and made it to the point to where, we he approved it, it was in the double digits on weight, and last i heard, they were having to reduce weight for production reasons.
I also dont like their version of ice having the runes of first men being english.. I always pictured them as norse. I would buy the GSOW and either customize it yourself, or contact Mr. Suttles of VA and spending about the same as the valyrian steel sword costs for a better performing and possibly better looking version.
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Sept 16, 2011 2:49:56 GMT
if you want a functional fantasy sword i suggest you checkout fableblades.com or odinblades.com and get a quote from one of the Fine Blademasters. Itl be a bit more expensive than that 700$ wallhanger piece of crap. bu it will be a REAL SWORD you could go to battle with if need be.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Sept 16, 2011 3:25:32 GMT
Jeffrey and I are working on our own versions (slightly diferent) of 'Longclaw' which will be done (under commission) in a couple of months. I've got some ideas for Needle too...but haven't gone anywhere with it yet...
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Post by mcapanelli on Sept 16, 2011 3:30:05 GMT
Ice is listed with a price of $270, so I''m not sure where your getting the $700 price from. Am I missing something? As for what you want, I'd pick up a GSOW blade and talk to Sonny over at Valiant. He can do a sword/scabbard combo for a good price and do it major justice. I'd venture to say though that in total, and don't quote me on this as I'm not Sonny, you'd end up spending close to the $1000 mark by the time you factor in the all of the etching and then the scabbard. If you really love the movies and want a sword that represents Ice and is functional to boot, it's my opinion that'd be your best route. Or you can ask Michael Pikula if he'll etch a pattern on to the big XIIIa he just made HERE It'd cost you but man would that blade ever make a great Ice.
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on Sept 16, 2011 3:47:14 GMT
If you're up for costuming events, I say grab one. They look good if you're hitting conventions, Ren Fairs, etc. If you're up for "swinging it at stuff", then consider talking to one of the smiths on this board to make a version for you that would be safe enough to do that . Most 'wallhanger' movie replicas are made of stainless steel with a rat-tail tang, usually welded onto the blade itself-- not safe for any type of practical cutting use. However, this keeps the cost of manufacturing down, and easy to mass-produce. If you have the budget, consider: www.fableblades.comwww.odinblades.comtraditionalarcherybows.com/www.baltimoreknife.com/. . . or any of the sword makers in the "Manufacturer and Vendors Talk" section. They can make you a beautiful sword that is built to handle cutting targets. --Edward
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2011 15:29:55 GMT
yeah, I love the look of Roberts warhammer, and sadly know, that I wouldn't be able to do anything other than look at it
I've been browsing through those two sites because of your mention here, and they have a lot of great looking stuff
after seeing your other swords, I am eager to see your version of Longclaw
I am on VS's facebook page, a damascus version of Ice is upcoming. they're opening up pre orders later this month, and they said it'd cost 700
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2011 15:41:39 GMT
i live in BFE CAnada, no conventions or ren fairs around here... I'd want a sword that looks cool, and is something I can take out into the yard and play around with... and when the zombie invasion comes, I'll need it to destroy some heads too I did go thru those links (thanks) and I'm falling in love with them... saw a Devestator Axe, that'd be dope, and came up with another idea from a book I've read to see if one of these guys can make. just have to come up with the cash now lol thanks for all, really appreciate it.
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Post by 14thforsaken on Sept 17, 2011 3:24:50 GMT
The weights on Longclaw and Ice seem really off to me. They are going to be extremely heavy for their length. I'd pass on them and find someone to make me one with a more realistic weight and balance.
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