why no VS armour?

[KING-OF-WINTERFELL]

Why do you guys think we don't see Valyrian steel armour? Be badass if we did.

[LadyLiz]

My guess is that Armor tends to be more personalized, designed to fit a body shape and highly unlikely to be passed down from generation to generation like a weapon. As there are so few VS weapons it is probably likely that these were very expensive for westerosi back when valyria was around and were designed to be utilized by a family. Finally armor takes a ton of workmanship and a lot of metal, I would bet it would be very difficult to make and outrageously expensive to buy.

[TheButcherCrow]

as far as I am aware in addition to the use of magic, VS is created using the same "fold & compress" technique used to create Japanese steel (the rippled blade is a dead giveaway). This technique is extremely time consuming (and that's just making a sword blade, not a whole set or armour) and, ancient weapon experts correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that technique lends itself to the creation of armour.

[Fool of a Book]

Marwyn has a mask, but it seems more ceremonial than armorial. It's a great question. Certainly a VS helm, for example, could be easily reused by someone of a different size, even if new armor can't be made to custom fit someone.

But since we know at least one person in the world can remake Valyrian steel, I agree it's odd we don't see much VS armor, even if just a helm or breastplate.

[Alia Atreides]

as far as I am aware in addition to the use of magic, VS is created using the same "fold & compress" technique used to create Japanese steel (the rippled blade is a dead giveaway). This technique is extremely time consuming (and that's just making a sword blade, not a whole set or armour) and, ancient weapon experts correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that technique lends itself to the creation of armour.

I think that about sums it up :). Also were there no only in all of Westeros only a few people left who remember the ancient techniques of making Valarian Steel? for even having anything set up to make Armour?

[Shadrich]

Some top and elite Valyrian families might have had Valyrian steel armours.

[LadyLiz]

Some top and elite Valyrian families might have had Valyrian steel armours.

Agreed but it is doubtful that there is any in Westeros. I like to imagine that the secrets of VS will again be unlocked as the world gets more and more magical.

[Bright Blue Eyes]

The properties of materials used in armor are vastly different from those used for blades. Most likely Valyrian steel doesn't have the properties necessary to make good armor.

as far as I am aware in addition to the use of magic, VS is created using the same "fold & compress" technique used to create Japanese steel (the rippled blade is a dead giveaway). This technique is extremely time consuming (and that's just making a sword blade, not a whole set or armour) and, ancient weapon experts correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that technique lends itself to the creation of armour.

Nope. It's not a technique related to blades as such, but a more general way to improve the quality of steel (by mixing several kinds of inferior steel and achieving a homongenous material) regardless of it's intended use (well, expensive uses anyway). It was first introduced about 500 BC by the Hallstadt-culture in Europe, and slowly got replaced about a millenium later when the Franks developed a technique to create better monosteels.

[Fool of a Book]

I'm going to disagree about VS not being conducive to armor, since we already know Marwyn has a VS Mask. And we know there are a pair of VS sphinxes outside the Small Council chamber. Meaning it's not just for blades or thinner/smaller objects like VS Links, archmaester rods, dragon horn bindings, and swords. It can obviously be used for different applications.

[LadyLiz]

I'm going to disagree about VS not being conducive to armor, since we already know Marwyn has a VS Mask. And we know there are a pair of VS sphinxes outside the Small Council chamber. Meaning it's not just for blades or thinner/smaller objects like VS Links, archmaester rods, dragon horn bindings, and swords. It can obviously be used for different applications.

Oo I forgot about the sphinxes, melt that business down and make something useful :P

[Bright Blue Eyes]

I'm going to disagree about VS not being conducive to armor, since we already know Marwyn has a VS Mask. And we know there are a pair of VS sphinxes outside the Small Council chamber. Meaning it's not just for blades or thinner/smaller objects like VS Links, archmaester rods, dragon horn bindings, and swords. It can obviously be used for different applications.

That's pure decoration, not heavy-duty armor. Next you'll claim armor out of massive gold does well, after all there is an archmaester with a golden mask and more than enough golden statues.

[Kienn]

And we know there are a pair of VS sphinxes outside the Small Council chamber

Uhh... those are "valyrian sphinxes", not "valyrian steel sphinxes" and they're made of marble.

a pair of Valyrian sphinxes flanked the door, eyes of polished garnet smoldering in black marble faces.

[Light a wight tonight]

Uhh... those are "valyrian sphinxes", not "valyrian steel sphinxes" and they're made of marble.

Spoilsport.

Really, Valyrian steel is scarce. In all Westeros there are said to be only 200 VS weapons of all descriptions. It's sort of like the mystery ingredient in VS is "unobtainium".

[Stannis Eats No Peaches]

That's pure decoration, not heavy-duty armor. Next you'll claim armor out of massive gold does well, after all there is an archmaester with a golden mask and more than enough golden statues.

I know next to nothing about forging swords and armour, but we do know that Valyrian steel makes excellent blades, while gold certainly does not, so that's not really fair.

[lostcause]

I always thought VS was based on Damascus Steel?

[John Hulboy]

I think it's been mentioned valyrian is based on Damascus steel.swords axes knifes are one thing full armor would be ,just too expensive .someone mentioned samurai body armor which was amazing how they took war an fighting to a different level.just recently saw a suit of armor for a Indian elephant was made by thousands of villagers an every piece was identical amazing craftsmen

[Fanless Mace]

Hmmm...the Titan of Braavos has armor. But I don't think it's clear when the Titan was created. According to the wiki, "Unlike the other Free Cities, Braavos was never part of the Valyrian Freehold, but was instead founded 500 years before Aegon's Landing by refugees fleeing Valyrian expansion." We don't know when the statue was built though, do we? And Braavos was largely hidden from the rest of the world, they may have even developed their own armor technology. I suspect though that the statute must of been built after the fall of Valarya, when the city was bold enough to announce its existence. Still, it remains an unknown.

[BRANDON GREYSTARK]

Valyrian ore probably went up in smoke along with the spells to create it besides when you have a dragon who needs armor( armour).

[Sullen]

It'd be extremely expensive, and not exactly better than regular armour.

For one, the fact that it's lighter would make it less useful against blunt weapons, which is traditionally the type of weapon used for full sets of heavy armour anyways.

[Bright Blue Eyes]

I know next to nothing about forging swords and armour, but we do know that Valyrian steel makes excellent blades, while gold certainly does not, so that's not really fair.

Yes, blades. Those feature sharp edges, where Valyrian Steel has its advantages. Which armor features a sharp edge?

I always thought VS was based on Damascus Steel?

Nope, It's pure magic.

I think it's been mentioned valyrian is based on Damascus steel.swords axes knifes are one thing full armor would be ,just too expensive .someone mentioned samurai body armor which was amazing how they took war an fighting to a different level.just recently saw a suit of armor for a Indian elephant was made by thousands of villagers an every piece was identical amazing craftsmen

The Japanese jumped on the chance to import european armor, and for good reason: It was way, way better. In metallurgy, weapon- and armorsmithing, Europe and the Levante were superior. By a far margin.