The End of the Conan Project -- myArmoury.com

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

Though not many here may care, I thought that I should let those of you who do, that we have decided to opt out of our contract with Conan Properties.

As of October of this year, we will stop taking orders for the Atlanteans, Master's/Father's swords and other Conan pieces that we have produced over the years.

It was fun fighting to bring these landmark pieces back from the dead. The collection we have amassed of great (and often tearful) testimonials from new owners of the Atlantean in particular, will be something Amy, Jody and I will always cherish. (And seeing our sword in our display box in the conference room of the Governor of California whenever he is on TV is kinda cool, too.)

It is certainly, for us at least, the end of an era.

But, as you all well know, we have plenty to keep us busy.

Best,

Howy

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Hey Howy, the Conan stuff isn't exactly my cup of tea, but I can attest to the fact that you made a lot of people very happy by producing those swords, I've had dealings with several of them. You all deserve a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate on that one... and I believe you hit a home run. Now if you can see about getting those Lord of the Rings licenses from the Tolkien estate since U.C. lost them... Wink

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

David Martin · Posted: Tue 31 Jul, 2007 7:54 am Post subject:

Does this mean that your remaining stock will be sold off at greatly discounted prices?

Well shucks, you can't blame a guy for trying... Wink

Thank you for offering these swords. They were beautifully executed and although they weren't exactly practical, they did remind us of times of high adventure. <insert booming music here>

Mark G. · Industry Professional

That's kind of a shame. I have a lot of fond memories of working on them, recreating the swords I grew up watching on film. It was a great project to have once been a part of, and you guys really did the sword justice. The customer's testimonials certainly vouched for that.

Mark

Tim Lison · Posted: Tue 31 Jul, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject:

This is somewhat sad news to me. I never bought any of the Conan swords but always had in the back of my mind that one day I might (but not by October). It can be said, however, that Albion has solved the riddle of steel. See you in Valhalla Atlantean!

Alex Oster · Posted: Tue 31 Jul, 2007 7:54 pm Post subject:

Sad news indeed....

It was an awesome undertaking that has fufilled many a childhood dream. Its too bad that we never saw it in full bloom. There is no way I'll be able to raise the kind of cash needed to take part by October, but, more importantly, I fear for the other film sword lines. Will we be seeing the end of them as well as Albion focuses on its core products? I'm one of those in transition people who can't quite claim career status, but still hold career funded dreams. Now, they might just be narrowed in scope... thats a sad day indeed.

Keep us posted and thanks again for all your hard work!

Jonathan Blair · Posted: Wed 01 Aug, 2007 3:42 am Post subject:

I take it then that we will never see the Mother's sword or Valeria's sword which are still listed as "coming soon" on the FilmSwords Swords of Conan page? Or were these released and the page just never updated? Not that I ever planned to get one: I'm slowly saving for another Next Gen. It just would have been nice to see one.

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 01 Aug, 2007 6:03 am Post subject:

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 01 Aug, 2007 7:09 am Post subject:

George Mcnulty · Posted: Wed 01 Aug, 2007 7:30 am Post subject: sword of Atlantis

Hi sorry to hear about the Conan swords finishing but wasn’t there a sword of Atlantis that was in the works at Albion? Im sure I read about it in the Albion warrior magazine, one designed by Mr Samson? (If so could we see a pic please?)

Im sure a lot of people would be very interested in one of those! I would! Hopefully theres no licencising legal stuff getting in the way and adding thousands of dollars to the price too!

also I was wondering if you might replace them or add the beastmaster 3 sword with the cool lion pommel and eagle hilt etc, I seen it in the video and it was a very nice sword but there might be that damned legal stuff again!

Thanks for all the good work you’ve done and for all you will do!

George

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

Bob Hir · Posted: Tue 07 Aug, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

As proud owner of Atlantean #95, it's sorta sad that after October all people will be able to get will the terrible wallhanger versions of Conan swords. It seems like yesterday that I first found the Albion site (after waiting almost 20 years), offering the "Sword of Crom" and "Sword of Atlantis". I'd been searching for the words "Jody & Sampson" on the internet since it's inception. Anyone whom wanted one but never got around to getting one really don't know what your missing.

Given that, Howy, please don't let the Filmswords concept as a whole go by the way-side. I realize that the bread and butter of Albion is the the period pieces, but in my opinion Filmswords is the "Corvette" of the Albion lineup. They don't sell as many Corvettes every year as they sell 4-doors and SUV's certainly, but Chevy wouldn't be Chevy without the vette.

I'd love to see perhaps some expansion into the "performance barbarian" type items you mentioned above, Jody's site seems to be more cutlass and other single edged items than what I'd term the kinds of double edge stuff that I grew up on in Conan Comics and the book covers. (Kick myself to this day for not picking up a "Sword of Crom".)

I've been pestering Mike since 2003 for an ETA on the Frazetta Barbarian, ever since the picture of the waxes appeared in the news section. The second it's available, I'm on the phone for one. (I hope Frank lasts long enough to see it made). I recently added a Sampson custom (Icebrand) to my collection just because it was close to a conan-ish sword.

BTW, I met you at the last Swordfest weekend, you took the time out of the session, when you were meet-and-greeting everyone, to ask me what I was into, and we chatted about the Conan stuff, Frazetta covers, etc. You even took the time to give me a tour of Jody's workshop, and even introduced me to him. Peter's presentation was awesome, I learned alot, but the tour was the highlight of my day that day.

Thanks for everything you and all the guys went through in bringing REAL Conan swords to us collectors, looking forward to your future fantasy stuff.

Alex Oster · Posted: Wed 08 Aug, 2007 7:01 am Post subject:

As I mentioned before, I would also hate to see the whole section of Albion drop off. I still have two film swords on my list of must haves, of course they keep going up each year, and making it even harder to justify, but the fact that they are there keeps me working hard.

David Stokes · Posted: Sat 11 Aug, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject:

Sad news, also considering that the Highlanders went away earlier this year as well...

Bob Burns · Posted: Sun 19 Aug, 2007 1:18 am Post subject:

WOW! Howie that is really Awesome about "Arnold" (I relate to Arnold back in his "Pumping Iron" days, all the maniacal pumping iron I did years ago is in part what ruined my back because I did not use common sense) having your sword in his conference rom and therefore the sword gets TV exposure!

Bob

Too bad there's not a sign with it that says "Made by Albion Swords of New Glarus WI." Big Grin

Fred D · Posted: Thu 25 Oct, 2007 6:34 am Post subject:

hello
sorry to hear the end of the project. I presonally own Atlantean 177, And just ordered a Father's to keep company to my atlantean, so the dream wil be complete.
Thanks again to Albion, Crom does exist !
Does anybody has a picture of Arnold's conference room depicting the sword ?
I'd like to see that.
regards