Re: United Cutlery's - The Hobbit - Movie Props!
3901Kit - side question, but do you know if UC ever made the full run of Mirkwood helmets? I'd love to get one but they never come up for sale, wondering how many were actually made?
Boromir's horn is in the works, but nothing else that I can talk about at the moment. I'm working on some display ideas for the horn at the moment.N2darkness wrote: Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:36 am I'm really looking forward to seeing your finished prototype photos as I've been checking both BudK and United's websites everyday looking for a listing. How far away is Eomer's helm? Any other news of things that may go into development?
I think there were only two runs so far, so I doubt the edition is complete. It seems they only run 300-600 at a time, leaving lots of sell through time in between, which spreads the production out over several years. I know the last batch of Sauron helms is going to be made soon, but I have not heard about any of the others.Jamie Shakespeare wrote: Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:56 pm Kit - side question, but do you know if UC ever made the full run of Mirkwood helmets? I'd love to get one but they never come up for sale, wondering how many were actually made?
Wow, that's very cool and I'm sure will sell very well. I'll be definitely be picking one up. I'm assuming polyresin with a leather braided strap?Nasnandos wrote: Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:20 pmBoromir's horn is in the works, but nothing else that I can talk about at the moment. I'm working on some display ideas for the horn at the moment.N2darkness wrote: Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:36 am I'm really looking forward to seeing your finished prototype photos as I've been checking both BudK and United's websites everyday looking for a listing. How far away is Eomer's helm? Any other news of things that may go into development?
Eomer's helm is a long way off. Probably next Summer, if I had to guess.
Yes, and you will be able to blow through it like a real horn. I gave up on trying to make the metal parts in real metal - too many tolerance and fit problems due to the varying poly shrinkage tolerances. I'm working on some brass foil-over-poly effects. Not sure that's going to work though.N2darkness wrote: Tue Nov 26, 2019 7:38 pm Wow, that's very cool and I'm sure will sell very well. I'll be definitely be picking one up. I'm assuming polyresin with a leather braided strap?
That's very neat that it will actually "be functional" as well. I'm also curious as to the brass foil . I've had some very mixed results with it and might add to the labor costs and become costly. But some used sparingly in some areas may add to the realism of metal. I think that is what Weta did with a lot of there original mini helms and busts to add the metallic shine is select places. My guess due to manufacture needs a urethane or autobody metallic brass paint would be easier beside having to mask the different areas (assuming it is cast in one piece).Nasnandos wrote: Wed Nov 27, 2019 8:24 am Yes, and you will be able to blow through it like a real horn. I gave up on trying to make the metal parts in real metal - too many tolerance and fit problems due to the varying poly shrinkage tolerances. I'm working on some brass foil-over-poly effects. Not sure that's going to work though.
Sam's sword is coming back? Sweet!!!N2darkness wrote: Thu Jan 02, 2020 7:40 am I've noticed that UC has added Sam's sword and Gimli's bearded axe to their website. So more reissues coming and hopefully an official listing for Guthwine soon!
https://www.unitedcutlery.com/Category.aspx?cat=LR
I don't recall exactly but I think this might be the second time. Do be aware though that this is the shiny, open edition version of the sword. Back when it first came out, there was also limited version (600 pieces, I think) that was labelled as part of the Museum Collection line, and was properly aged and distressed to replicate the one Sam carried in the movies. This reissue is not that version.Ronin wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:06 pm
Sam's sword is coming back? Sweet!!!
Curious...is this the first time it's been reissued?
Right, I figured it would be the open edition. The MC version is certainly the lovelier replica of the two but for the sake of a more uniform collection, I actually prefer having the basic version.Valkrist wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:40 pmI don't recall exactly but I think this might be the second time. Do be aware though that this is the shiny, open edition version of the sword. Back when it first came out, there was also limited version (600 pieces, I think) that was labelled as part of the Museum Collection line, and was properly aged and distressed to replicate the one Sam carried in the movies. This reissue is not that version.Ronin wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:06 pm
Sam's sword is coming back? Sweet!!!
Curious...is this the first time it's been reissued?
As a point of curiosity, my Sam MC sword came with no UC stamp on the blade, and the COA number is #000.
I have no desire for it. The only reason I can surmise that one would want it is for going in costume for CosPlay/Cons/RenFaires.Ronin wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 5:52 pm Another question for you all. Have any of you a desire for UC to produce actor scale versions of the two Hobbit swords? I'd like to have them myself.
Neither do I (cosplay that is). I guess my desire comes more from a curiosity to hold those swords from the perspective of a halfling. Same goes for the Dwarven weapons.Deimos wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 6:05 pmI have no desire for it. The only reason I can surmise that one would want it is for going in costume for CosPlay/Cons/RenFaires.Ronin wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 5:52 pm Another question for you all. Have any of you a desire for UC to produce actor scale versions of the two Hobbit swords? I'd like to have them myself.
But i don't do CosPlay etc, so I have no need of it.
I prefer the weapons I have to reflect in size (if not in weight) their "story" counterparts.
I apologize for my tentative assumption about CosPlay etc.Ronin wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 6:17 pm
Neither do I (cosplay that is). I guess my desire comes more from a curiosity to hold those swords from the perspective of a halfling. Same goes for the Dwarven weapons. If only ever given one choice, I'd have to concur with you though. I'd prefer the "story" versions.
For what it's worth, I certainly took no offense to your assumption . Despite the fantastic costumes out there that are made and can be provided, I've never had a desire to cosplay in any capactiy although I have to admit if given the opportunity I might be convinced to try on Aragorn's royal armor from ROTK and take a once around a convention center .Deimos wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 6:24 pmI apologize for my tentative assumption about CosPlay etc.Ronin wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 6:17 pm
Neither do I (cosplay that is). I guess my desire comes more from a curiosity to hold those swords from the perspective of a halfling. Same goes for the Dwarven weapons. If only ever given one choice, I'd have to concur with you though. I'd prefer the "story" versions.
I wouldn't have been surprised it it were the reason, and I do not criticise anyone for doing it.
In fact, I am usually pretty impressed with the ME costumes, replicas etc that people construct.
Some of what I have seen is absolutely jaw-droppingly accurate down to the minutest detail.
I feel the opposite way as consistency with how the weapons appeared in the movies is more important than having them all be shiny and new. If that were the criteria, I would be unable to collect all three Nazgul blades. Still, to each their own.Ronin wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:06 pm Right, I figured it would be the open edition. The MC version is certainly the lovelier replica of the two but for the sake of a more uniform collection, I actually prefer having the basic version.
Another question for you all. Have any of you a desire for UC to produce actor scale versions of the two Hobbit swords? I'd like to have them myself.
No that's a good point you make, Val. I definitely prefer screen accuracy over a clean "as first built" variation. I'm looking at it more as how an entire collection would look as a whole if you introduced a high end piece. For instance, and I maybe wrong in perceiving this, I wonder if having replicas as nice as MC Sting and MC Glamdring would make the rest of my collection of standard UC replicas look inferior by comparison. I also wonder if as a result, I might lament that the remainder of the UC LOTR/Hobbit line didn't also have their MC counterparts. Does that make sense?Valkrist wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 8:19 pmI feel the opposite way as consistency with how the weapons appeared in the movies is more important than having them all be shiny and new. If that were the criteria, I would be unable to collect all three Nazgul blades. Still, to each their own.Ronin wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:06 pm Right, I figured it would be the open edition. The MC version is certainly the lovelier replica of the two but for the sake of a more uniform collection, I actually prefer having the basic version.
Another question for you all. Have any of you a desire for UC to produce actor scale versions of the two Hobbit swords? I'd like to have them myself.
As for actor-scale versions, I have no interest in those either for the same reasons Deimos gave. However, if you really want to know what it felt like for Elijah Wood to hold Sting, if you can track down the one released by Noble Collection, it was made in actor-scale. So is Peter Lyon's MSSC Sting, but you'd need about $10K and a lot of luck to track one of those down.
Thanks for your input, Lindir. I agree about the plastic handles. Admittedly I've never been attracted to Noble's wares. Sting seems to be the only replica of theirs that looks closer than not in terms of accuracy. Their Glamdring and Orcrist look more off. The illuminated Gandalf staff they used to have looked okay despite being a three-piece design. The jewelry pieces are nice but I'd opt for the Weta versions before Noble.Lindir wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:35 am I’m not Val, but I haven’t seen the Noble replicas firsthand with the exception of Deathless, Thorin’s sword which was somewhat nice but the painted blade was ugly. From what I can see from the in hand photos I’ve seen of their other swords they’re not for me. I remember when the first Hobbit movie came out and then Orcrist was released and we were all foaming at the mouth over images and I remember how ugly the Noble version looked. The blades don’t seem to have the right finishes and I know Sting has a plastic handle with a raised pattern - which is nice in some ways admittedly but it’s still plastic which I don’t like on swords haha the best thing about the Noble sword replicas are their plaques.
Those are just my own personal views though. I’m sure there are members here who probably do have some Noble swords who can give a better opinion on the matter. Don’t wanna seem like I’m bashing Noble though as their other replicas are really well done. I collect select wands from their Harry Potter line and have picked up nearly all the wands from their Fantastic Beasts line and they’re really well made and painted for the price. Their jewellery pieces and other prop replicas are really nice also.
Oh boy could you imagine having the Weta swords?! I have and it always involves imagining winning the lottery first . Despite my reservations, which you've now eliminated anyway, I would still consider acquiring one or more of the three MC swords if the opportunity comes up. However if I never do, I'm more than satisfied with what the standard versions I already have .Valkrist wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:32 am Yes Lindir, you're not me, but you summed up my thoughts perfectly. lol
The only Noble weapon replica I own is Deathless, and that's because UC never made one. I think it is a decent product, but the painted blade is a downer for sure. I don't recall hearing much about Sting at the time (like UC, it was their first sword, and that was over 15 years ago.) However, I do know the quality overall leaves a lot to be desired - the handle on Gimli's Battle Axe being made of something like particle board comes to mind - and they are riddled with inaccuracies by comparison to the actual props. UC did a far better job of coming closer to the originals, and building them more solidly in the process. Some of the plaques are nice when taken individually, but others are rather garish, and taken as a whole set, there is no uniformity to them unlike the UC ones.
As for your comment on how introducing MC weapons into one's collection might alter the visual aesthetic, I honestly wouldn't worry too much. Neither the MC Sting or MC Glamdring are so weathered that they stick out, and the upgrade in materials is not so obvious to the average person at all. So long as you display them without those boxes they came in, you would be fine. I have my MC Sting is a horizontal display case with other things. As for the MC Samwise, there was nothing particularly special about its construction other than the fact that it was limited and weathered. As I think it was done in the post-bankruptcy UC days, many question why the MC label was even attached to it as it does not warrant that classification. Now, if you were to introduce one of Weta's MSSC swords, then for sure there would be a glaring difference between those five-digit swords and UC's replicas, but on the flip side of that, if you can afford one or more of those, that's a nice problem to have!
Deathless going for $500-$600 (USD) on ebay.Valkrist wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 10:44 am In the absence of not owning a replica of Deathless, I would still recommend buying the Noble one. I know that's not a ringing endorsement as it comes across as "Well, it's better than nothing!", but because despite its flaws, it's still a nice sword and rounds out the completist's collection quite nicely. From a couple of steps away, I don't find the colouring of the blade to be an issue, my handle does not rattle so it's not a pervasive issue, and the infamous blade warp is there but so slight that you have to lay the sword alongside a yardstick to see it. Honestly, if the colour of the hilt was just a smidge closer to the original, I'd say the Noble Deathless goes from acceptable to darn good.
It's really a pity and misstep for UC that they decided to cancel their version. With the bad rep that Noble's weapons have and the lack of exposure and collector base like UC does, I think it would have sold well regardless. I would have pick it up for sure as I waited a couple of years before even picking up Deathless.
Yep....'zactly....Valkrist wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:55 am I'd say your investment strategy is pretty safe as, unless Kit is holding something back, the chances of UC releasing Deathless one day is pretty much zero.
Still, there have been other investments that were considered sure things, such as the aforementioned NC Moria Staff, and even Weta's mini Minas Morgul, that are now practically worthless as newer, better versions have either been released or will be soon. It's a dangerous game, but it can be a fun one.
Oh so Eowyn IS coming back?! Great news! I thought UC decided against reissuing it. And Boromir too?!?!?! Wow that's fantastic! I thought I would never have a chance to get his sword.Nasnandos wrote: Thu Mar 19, 2020 3:11 pm I thought Budk had always carried Windlass products on and off over the years? UC - the old one and the current one - used Windlass as a vendor several times.
I'm pretty sure they have not yet made the full edition of the Mirkwood helm, as I mentioned here 4 or 5 months ago when i was asked. Another run has not been discussed that I am aware of, but I'm sure it will happen eventually. I know a new run of the sword of Eowyn is coming sometime later this year. Another run of Boromir swords, the bearded axe, and Sam's sword too, but I think I already mentioned those a while back. Seems like there were a few others too, but I can't recall now.
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