OFFICIAL Wheel of Time Heron Mark Sword - Sword of Rand al'Thor

by Windlass Steelcrafts

Product Features

• Blade: 32" long, 1-1/4" wide, 3/16" thick
• Overall: 42"
• Wt: 2 lbs/12 oz, High Carbon Steel
• Includes COA printed with Robert Jordan's Signature.
• Officially Licensed, beware of flimsy illegal knockoffs.

Product Description

In the world of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, heron-mark swords are traditionally presented to those who have earned the title of "Blademaster"- either by killing a Blademaster in a fair fight or by being granted the title by a unanimous vote of five Blademasters. These individuals are unrivaled in their mastery of the sword, and are accordingly rare. Some heron-mark swords were made during the War of Power through use of the One Power, which produced blades that never required maintenance, and were essentially unbreakable. Rand al'Thor possessed one of these swords, a gift from his father. But after the Three Oaths were established, forbidding Aes Sedai to (among other things) use the One Power to make weapons, the number of blademasters eventually began to outstrip the number of Power-wrought blades, necessitating the creation of heron-mark swords of a more conventional nature. The Heron Mark Sword is a superb example of the sword maker's art. In the old days, the Heron Mark swords were made by blending metals to make a blade that need never be sharpened, nor could it be broken. But today, the Heron Mark is a sign that the sword was made by a blade master. Such swords are awarded only to he who has proven that he has the highest possible skill with a sword. We are very proud to offer this Heron Mark sword; hand-forged and of a very tough, high carbon steel. The guard and pommel are brass and the balance is simply superb. Authorized and approved by Robert Jordan, this sword is an accurate copy of those blades in The Wheel of Time series. Once you hold this blade in your hands, you realize how quick and deadly is the sword. Made by Windlass Steelcrafts®. Scabbard included. Includes certificate of authenticity.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• ASIN: B001OXRTPQ
• Item model number: 500058
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,041 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not-so-much the Blade Master, July 27, 2009

By 

Ivanhoe (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: OFFICIAL Wheel of Time Heron Mark Sword - Sword of Rand al'Thor (Misc.)

I purchased this sword directly from Windless Cutlery several years ago. As a great fan of Robert Jordan's WOT series, I had a nearly immeasurable amount of anticipation and anxiety upon receiving my sword. First off, you get what you pay for: What you get is a plain katana blade that does not resemble a great work of art. Meaning: the blade is rather thin, extremely springy, and my "version has a "heron mark" on one side and a, ahem, made in "India" engraving on the other. Up on the wall, away from close inspection the shiny sword is a bit impressive, with a nice unique brass hilt/tsuba and pommell. This blade should have definitely been made with a damascus technique or a dull, traditionally forged katana-look and perhaps a blood groove along the (broader) spine. Then compliment it with a lazered heron-mark, if-you-will. Is it worth mentioning that you get a marginal stiff leather sheith (sword rattles around in it loosely), without metal accents or hardware (you will need a frog)? No, it isn't.

My blade has a slight, however distinct bend to the left, and I was instructed to pound it out with a rubber mallet by the Windless staff. Very difficult without removing the pummel, handle and hilt, which I was advised with caution. I tried to clarify whether the sword was a full-tang "combat ready" sword, as any discerning Warder would like to know, and I never got a clear "Yes" or "No". Apparently this design is open to interpretation. The sword I received certainly has the subtle broad ping marks of a "hand forged" sword, and does hold up very, very well to oxidation. Oh yes, did I mention that I got a copied certificate of authenticity with Robert Jordan's signature on oiled looking parchment paper, similar to the type you use for Curriculum Vitae?

I must close with the assertion that I believe myself or anyone other Dedicate fan would spend one or two, three hundred, or more.. $$ for a more refined version of a blade-masters heron-marked-sword.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars heron mark hilt?, March 26, 2010

By 

John G. Crandall - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: OFFICIAL Wheel of Time Heron Mark Sword - Sword of Rand al'Thor (Misc.)

Wasn't the heron on the hilt? I seem to remember it branding some hands...why would he be holding the blade?

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Missing Herons on Hilt, July 10, 2010

By 

S. L. Christiansen "Bike Commuter" (San Bernardino, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: OFFICIAL Wheel of Time Heron Mark Sword - Sword of Rand al'Thor (Misc.)

I find that I am in agreement with Mr. Crandall. There was a bronze-like metal heron on the hilt that branded the palm of Rand's hands, one at a time on 2 separate occasions. The missing Heron on the hilt of this "Official WOT" sword makes this item a No-Sale for me. This is a crucial detail to leave out, what non-fan bureaucrat authorized this item?