"... the scabbard so encrusted with rubies and moondrops that it was hard to see the gold except where a rising sun had been inset. The ivory hilt, long enough for two hands, had another inlaid rising sun in gold; the pommel was thick with rubies and moondrops, and still more made a solid mass along the quillons. This had never been made to use, only to be seen ... Etched into the shining steel stood a heron, symbol of a blademaster." <TFOH: 21, 388, The Gift of a Blade>

Rand discards the too-gaudy scabbard, and the ivory hilt for functional reasons: "... that ivory hilt would twist in a hand slippery with sweat or blood." <TFoH: 21, 388, The Gift of a Blade> With "... a plain scabbard of brown boarhide, the long hilt covered in the same leather, ..." <TFoH: 23, 412, "The Fifth, I Give You"> sword and scabbard are simply and quickly crafted copies of Tam's heron-mark sword. Herons on scabbard and hilt are omitted: when Rand duels Lord Toram, he's given no outward clues of his blademaster's skill, and as such, Caraline is surprised when Rand shows such proficiency against Toram.

Rand al'Thor's connection to the Norse god Tyr - god of justice, of swords and war - is explored in the section on the Dragon Sceptre.

** Laman's sword **

Laman's sword