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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:54 pm
by N2darkness
We may have discussed this before, but was there a manufacturing limitation on coping the texture on the locket area or was there 2 different scabbards produced for the movies? One with the pitted texture and another without? I don't remember.
2023-02-13 13.49.311.jpg

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:14 am
by TMcLim
No we certainly don’t want any banana scabbards!

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:34 am
by Valkrist
TMcLim wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:14 am No we certainly don’t want any banana scabbards!
Except for when you take a banana for lunch at work and wanna look cool in front of your friends... :crazy:

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:38 am
by TMcLim
Valkrist wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:34 am
TMcLim wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:14 am No we certainly don’t want any banana scabbards!
Except for when you take a banana for lunch at work and wanna look cool in front of your friends... :crazy:
Yes in that situation it pays to have a scabbard for your banana haha

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:26 am
by Nasnandos
N2darkness wrote: Mon Feb 13, 2023 7:54 pm We may have discussed this before, but was there a manufacturing limitation on coping the texture on the locket area or was there 2 different scabbards produced for the movies? One with the pitted texture and another without? I don't remember.
Uhg, that one brings back frustrating memories. I think I may have mentioned that issue before, but this project dragged on for so long, I'm not sure. I have photos of a couple of different scabbards and they both have a texture, as did my urethane Weta scabbard. I think all the props in the photos were painted Urethane, so I'm not sure if they ever made a real hero prop. They probably never thought it would be seen up close. The prop casting I had was really rough looking, especially that crappy pitted texturing. I intended to improve it so it looked good up close.

Then issues with the horse heads and the tooling design dragged on and on. Sometimes it is insanely difficult working with tooling makers who think something is more complex that it really is. Then there were issues adding the pits that would have dragged out development even longer. UC wanted the scabbard out the year following the sword release, but this point were already nearly a year into development, without tooling even being started. Their 3D modeled pits looked bad, and I did not like the generic mold texture they wanted to etch into the molds. I was worried UC would just want to cancel it if I dragged it out even longer, so I just made the call to leave them off. I can get into the details if you are interested, but they would probably bore everyone.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:46 am
by N2darkness
Nasnandos wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:26 am Uhg, that one brings back frustrating memories. I think I may have mentioned that issue before, but this project dragged on for so long, I'm not sure. I have photos of a couple of different scabbards and they both have a texture, as did my urethane Weta scabbard. I think all the props in the photos were painted Urethane, so I'm not sure if they ever made a real hero prop. They probably never thought it would be seen up close. The prop casting I had was really rough looking, especially that crappy pitted texturing. I intended to improve it so it looked good up close.

Then issues with the horse heads and the tooling design dragged on and on. Sometimes it is insanely difficult working with tooling makers who think something is more complex that it really is. Then there were issues adding the pits that would have dragged out development even longer. UC wanted the scabbard out the year following the sword release, but this point were already nearly a year into development, without tooling even being started. Their 3D modeled pits looked bad, and I did not like the generic mold texture they wanted to etch into the molds. I was worried UC would just want to cancel it if I dragged it out even longer, so I just made the call to leave them off. I can get into the details if you are interested, but they would probably bore everyone.
I appreciate the answer none the less. I worked in a place that made all of the plastic injection molds for their products in house and know how long and laborious it can be. Adding texture like this is done in reverse, so it can't be done after the fact as it is essentially adding material to that surface and not taking it away.

It's a decent compromise and something most won't notice at all. I wish they were solid brass as it would much easier to add these in if one wanted to.

I also hope it sells well and they make the other 2 rohan scabbards to complete the set someday.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:23 am
by Nasnandos
N2darkness wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:46 am Adding texture like this is done in reverse, so it can't be done after the fact as it is essentially adding material to that surface and not taking it away.
I have had mold makers fix textures many times. It's a risky thing to do and adds to the mold making time and cost, but it can be done in some instances. If the steel molds have not been hardened yet, you can sink the electrode back into them and burn the shape slightly deeper, then re-texture. I have even had them do that after the molds have been hardened, but with mixed results. There are several LOTR products that had to be fixed like that. The Thranduil hilt is one that comes to mind. I made a custom mold texture for that, but they etched it too deep in the molds on the first pass. Had I known how much time it would have taken to fix, I probably would not have done it, but it worked out in the end.

I'm working on a new sword for my KR line with injection molded grips. Last October they goofed up and added the wrong surface texture. The molds were finished, so I had them etch the correct texture over the existing one. It was a gamble, and added a four month delay, but it worked.
N2darkness wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 6:46 am I also hope it sells well and they make the other 2 rohan scabbards to complete the set someday.
That was another factor in my decision to proceed without the pitting. Thinking it takes 1 1/2 years to develop an expensive scabbard could bump the next one off UC's list in favor of something else that is easier.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 2:43 am
by DracoAdamantus
TMcLim wrote: Tue Feb 14, 2023 5:14 am No we certainly don’t want any banana scabbards!
Is THAT what the kids are calling it these days? ;)

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 2:59 am
by DracoAdamantus
So I am once again asking for restoration advice. I recently acquired a piece for my collection that I'd been after for some time, a high elven shield (very fitting that I finished payments for it mere days before the high elven helm completion was announced). Given its age and that I am the third if not fourth owner, it's a little beat up. I'm working on touching up the cracked leather and treating it with some mink oil to make it a little more supple (to prevent further cracking), but I am hesitant to attack the paint without some insight.

There are a few scrapes and worn spots on the surface, nothing major, but I'd like to blend them away as best as I can. Does Kit or anyone have any knowledge of how the original paint was done so I can replicate it best I can in those spots. On my initial inspection it appears to be a tarnished gold base with metallic green highlights, and then a fine misting of black over the whole thing to mute the color a bit. Can anyone confirm/correct my assessment?
ShieldScuff1.jpg
ShieldScuff2.jpg
ShieldScuff3.jpg
Also, for anyone that owns one, how was this shield intended to be mounted? The guy I got it from had it hanging on this chain, and he said it didn't come with any sort of wall mount from the previous owner? I assume it came with a wall mount originally, but that is long gone. If anyone has photos of theirs, I may be able to replicate one, or at least get a better idea of how to mount it.
ShieldChain.jpg

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 11:25 am
by Nasnandos
DracoAdamantus wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 2:59 am There are a few scrapes and worn spots on the surface, nothing major, but I'd like to blend them away as best as I can. Does Kit or anyone have any knowledge of how the original paint was done so I can replicate it best I can in those spots. On my initial inspection it appears to be a tarnished gold base with metallic green highlights, and then a fine misting of black over the whole thing to mute the color a bit. Can anyone confirm/correct my assessment?
It was a patina green base coat, then a gold/bronze paint wash, then some airbrushing of gold and metallic green over that. At least that's what it was supposed to be. Most o the ones I saw had the green base coat, but only the gold/bronze over that. Barely anything else.

There is no way to replicate that look with one solid paint color to do touch ups. Better to just mix some dark gold and a similar green to try and get something close.

Or leave it like it is to be more prop accurate :)
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DracoAdamantus wrote: Mon Feb 20, 2023 2:59 am Also, for anyone that owns one, how was this shield intended to be mounted? The guy I got it from had it hanging on this chain, and he said it didn't come with any sort of wall mount from the previous owner? I assume it came with a wall mount originally, but that is long gone. If anyone has photos of theirs, I may be able to replicate one, or at least get a better idea of how to mount it.
It came with a steel wall hook. I can't remember what I spec'd to hang the shield to the hook with, but it probably was a chain.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:18 pm
by N2darkness
Nasnandos wrote: Fri Feb 24, 2023 11:25 am
It came with a steel wall hook. I can't remember what I spec'd to hang the shield to the hook with, but it probably was a chain.
The wall hook was green and kind of shaped like the shield with some designs on it. It came with a braided leather strap with a loop on each side to be wrapped around the handle and then hooked. This was the best I could find without dragging mine out of the box.
shield.jpg
https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/imag ... 235133.jpg

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:03 pm
by Nasnandos
N2darkness wrote: Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:18 pm The wall hook was green and kind of shaped like the shield with some designs on it. It came with a braided leather strap with a loop on each side to be wrapped around the handle and then hooked. This was the best I could find without dragging mine out of the box.
Thanks, that brings it all back. I had forgotten all about making that custom hook. We had a factory making cheap whips that did the braided rope for us. It was originally going to have a chain, and the original sample chain is what my shield is hanging from now.

That's one of the few UC replicas that I somehow never got a production version of. I have an original prototype of the shield, but that's it.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2023 4:51 pm
by DracoAdamantus
Nasnandos wrote: Fri Feb 24, 2023 5:03 pm Thanks, that brings it all back. I had forgotten all about making that custom hook. We had a factory making cheap whips that did the braided rope for us. It was originally going to have a chain, and the original sample chain is what my shield is hanging from now.

That's one of the few UC replicas that I somehow never got a production version of. I have an original prototype of the shield, but that's it.
Well if yours is hanging from a chain I'd say that's good enough for mine. I wish I had one of the shield hooks but there's not likely any way I can track one of those down on its own haha.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 10:10 am
by Nasnandos
New Strider scabbard reissue vs the original (top), for anyone interested. The leather color is slightly brighter than the original, but it matches the green color on the current sword production.
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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 3:53 pm
by Valkrist
I see a vine pattern in the leather right below the throat, where the handle of the knife sits. Is that present but more muted on the original? I can see it faintly on the raised portion of the where the knife goes, but the handle is covering the other part. I can't check mine because it's in storage.

Edit: Nevermind, I think I see it though it is *extra* faint.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 4:12 pm
by Nasnandos
Yes, there was embossing there on the original, but very faint. That embossing was also different than what was on the prop. The new one is as close as I can get to it, but it's really just as faint as the original. The leather is just too thin to get deep embossing.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2023 11:51 pm
by Ronin
Nasnandos wrote: New Strider scabbard reissue vs the original (top), for anyone interested. The leather color is slightly brighter than the original, but it matches the green color on the current sword production.
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Awesome. Can't wait. Hopefully no issues with production pieces.

The knives on the first issue were sharpened right? Will they also be sharpened for this reissue?

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 4:10 am
by Nasnandos
Ronin wrote: Wed Mar 01, 2023 11:51 pm The knives on the first issue were sharpened right? Will they also be sharpened for this reissue?
It should be the same, but the factory neglected to send me a knife sample with the scabbard to check. Probably because I did not change anything on the knife.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 4:19 pm
by Nasnandos
Here is the difference between the old UC Uruk sword and the reissue coming out this year, for anyone interested. The blade tip change is the main difference. The "forged" surface texture and corrodded colors were also changed to match up with the prop look better.
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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:18 pm
by Valkrist
That looks really good, Kit! Do you have a picture of the blade head-on? I see a line down the length of the blade (forget the term for it), which gives me the impression the blade has a diamond-shaped profile, rather than being completely flat, like the original. Is this a correct assumption?

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 4:14 am
by Nasnandos
Valkrist wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:18 pm That looks really good, Kit! Do you have a picture of the blade head-on? I see a line down the length of the blade (forget the term for it), which gives me the impression the blade has a diamond-shaped profile, rather than being completely flat, like the original. Is this a correct assumption?
The spikes varied from prop to prop. Some were flat on the front, some had a back grind on the spike, some had a front grind on the spike, and some had no spike at all. I don't think you can see any of that clearly in FOTR or TTT though, as almost everything on screen seems to be a thick stunt blade with flat sides all around.

The spike is not diamond shaped on UC's replica, but it's not flat on the front either. The prop the original UC1309 was based on had a back grind on the spike, like the one below. UC's factory could not do that due to the limitation of the machine grinder they use. They could grind it on the other side, which they did to keep the the vertical grind line visible. It really should have had no grinds at all to look like what was used on screen.
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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:16 am
by N2darkness
I think the little improvements are great and looking forward to picking one of these up. And seeing the helmet makes me want one even more!

Trying to figure out what is in the bottom right hand side as I don't immediately recognize it.

Also curious to the rest of the years release schedule? I think Faramir's sword is due in summer followed by the Rohan ax and maybe MC Anduril by the end of the year, but herd more delays on that as well.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 7:54 am
by Nasnandos
That's another Orc helm. I was snapping pix of several helms to show to UC the same day I shot the Uruk swords.

No idea when the Rohan axe will be shipping. Development on Anduril is essentially done, but I am still waiting on a final hand guard and pommel to confirm the finish. I dropped the silver plated finish on the hilt parts, so it's just going to be polished metal, no plating. The factory wants to add a clear coating, which we would rather not do. I'm going to look at samples both ways before telling them no, but it's taking forever to get them. That seems to be the norm with everything these days.

EDIT - I forgot to say, the display with the Orc sword reissue is smaller than the original. It's more in line with the sword display sizes. The UC crew all thought the original was way too large for the sword, which I completely agreed with.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:05 am
by Lindir
Is the Uruk helmet actually happening Kit? I’ve seen it mentioned a few times but not sure if UC is actually considering it.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:47 am
by Nasnandos
They want to make it, but it's not in active development yet. It's way down the list behind other LOTR projects they want before it. They also probably want to see how the sword reissue sells first.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:35 am
by XerachCruz
Thank you for the valuable information. :D

I can't wait for the new Uruk-hai sword to come out to buy it. When I started collecting, it was discontinued and I decided to wait and see if they would reissue it instead of buying it from a user. Glad I waited, the new forced/rusty effect looks a lot more realistic. This reissue seems like a real improvement to me.

I usually comment little because it takes me a long time to translate what I write without errors, I wish I could collaborate more. But I always read everything you all post. :)

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:45 am
by pfrith87
Hello All!

I recently got back into collecting and have focused on finding the obtainable limited edition items up front. I'm very happy with what I've collected so far (FYI, the most recently run of Gondorian Infantry helmets don't have the nose rivets), but I have a couple of questions that I hope somebody can answer.

First, I recently found an unopened LE Mace of Sauron on Ebay for a very good price. I received it yesterday and everything appears to be in order except for one thing - the one ring is missing! Now, I suppose the seller could have carefully opened the box to remove it, but I can't imagine that it would be worth the effort. Just wondering if anyone had reported something similar on maces obtained through official channels (SN 0312 if that helps). At this point I'm planning to pick up some other replica ring to complete the item, though I suppose the sizing wouldn't be correct.

Second, I received the helm of Elendil recently and found that the noseguard was off-center by about 3/4 in. I think I can live with it, but figured I would just ask if this is normal for this item or, if not, the misplacement is within normal tolerances.
elendil_small.jpg
Finally, I wanted to ask about Gimli's armament. I've read that Gimli's Battle and Walking axes would need to be retooled to be reissued, and the last time this question was asked it seemed unlikely that this would be in the cards. With that said, things change, so I'm asking - is there any reasonable chance that we might see these items be rereleased, or do I need to start trolling eBay for a decent deal? How about the helm?

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 9:37 am
by Nasnandos
pfrith87 wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:45 am Hello All!

I recently got back into collecting and have focused on finding the obtainable limited edition items up front. I'm very happy with what I've collected so far (FYI, the most recently run of Gondorian Infantry helmets don't have the nose rivets), but I have a couple of questions that I hope somebody can answer.

First, I recently found an unopened LE Mace of Sauron on Ebay for a very good price. I received it yesterday and everything appears to be in order except for one thing - the one ring is missing! Now, I suppose the seller could have carefully opened the box to remove it, but I can't imagine that it would be worth the effort. Just wondering if anyone had reported something similar on maces obtained through official channels (SN 0312 if that helps). At this point I'm planning to pick up some other replica ring to complete the item, though I suppose the sizing wouldn't be correct.

Second, I received the helm of Elendil recently and found that the noseguard was off-center by about 3/4 in. I think I can live with it, but figured I would just ask if this is normal for this item or, if not, the misplacement is within normal tolerances.
elendil_small.jpg

Finally, I wanted to ask about Gimli's armament. I've read that Gimli's Battle and Walking axes would need to be retooled to be reissued, and the last time this question was asked it seemed unlikely that this would be in the cards. With that said, things change, so I'm asking - is there any reasonable chance that we might see these items be rereleased, or do I need to start trolling eBay for a decent deal? How about the helm?
I don't see those items being retooled any time soon. Not in the current economy anyway. If UC decides to reevaluate that, it will be several years down the road, but I would not get my hopes up.

I have not heard of missing rings myself, but anything is possible. Regarding the helm, nothing should be out of spec by 3/4", on any LOTR product. The nose guard looks centered in your photo. Is the whole crest that the nose guard is attached to riveted off center to the helm shell?

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 10:12 am
by pfrith87
Hello Kit!

Thanks for the response. I'll chalk up the missing ring to just a fluke - everything else looked exactly as I would expect for an unopened UC item. It's too bad about the Gimli products, but maybe they'll change their minds one day.

I may have misspoke on the centering - I suppose it's just 3/8 off-center, but comparing the measurement of the cheekguard on the left and right side yields a 3/4 inch difference. The last photo I posted had the cheekguards roughly centered on the stand. Here's a photo with the noseguard lined up with the stand:
elendil_centered.jpg

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 12:49 pm
by Jamie Shakespeare
Looks like that whole front crest has been riveted on off center (looking at the pattern on the brass rim of the helmet as a guide)

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 5:29 pm
by DracoAdamantus
Jamie Shakespeare wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 12:49 pm Looks like that whole front crest has been riveted on off center (looking at the pattern on the brass rim of the helmet as a guide)
I had put a downpayment on one from Castle Kon and Christian told me that the entire run the UC sent out had that top piece riveted off-center like that. It's supposed to be corrected in the next run, according to his talks with them.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 3:25 am
by XerachCruz
Really not all the helmets in that run were so crooked, I received one of those from the first Castle Kon helmets and the deviation is not perceptible to the naked eye.

Measuring with a caliper the distance between the rivets of the ring and the crown pick, and between the nose and the cheekguard, the difference between the left and the right is about 5mm (3/16").

I guess it's a matter of luck that arrives one more or less crooked.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 9:06 pm
by Jamie Shakespeare
With a little skill and work, they could be corrected. Grind off the brass rivets, line it properly, drill two new holes, and re-rivet. You might have one hole showing, but this could be filled with a steel coloured rivet and hammered pretty flat, barely noticeable.

We shouldn't have to carry out repairs like these but its just worth knowing it can be done - if you were so inclined.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:23 am
by pfrith87
Well, I'm still inside the return window, so I might try an exchange in the hopes that the replacement is better aligned before trying to re-rivet the thing. Certainly wouldn't be a bad skill to pick up though - I might look into it in the future.

Thanks!

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 11:14 pm
by StrongWithGod
pfrith87 wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:45 am Hello All!


Second, I received the helm of Elendil recently and found that the noseguard was off-center by about 3/4 in. I think I can live with it, but figured I would just ask if this is normal for this item or, if not, the misplacement is within normal tolerances.
elendil_small.jpg

My Elendil helmet comes from the original release, and I imported it from an Ebay shop from EEUU back in early 2000s (I live in Spain) and as you say, the nasal/nose guard came painfully off centered. There are many buyers reporting the same mistake.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2023 8:04 am
by N2darkness
I guess Drew posted this image of the re-release Stiders knife, but it looks like the inscription is flipped. Is this correct?
striders knife 2.jpg
versus Weta's prop
striders knife.jpg
Edit: Never mind must be that way depending on which way you read it, just like Hadafang Aeglos, etc.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2023 9:53 am
by Nasnandos
You had me worried there for a split second, considering I approved the sample months ago and they are in production. I don't think these have ever been reissued since the old UC went down, so that would have been lovely if they came back with a huge mistake right out of the gate!

It's basically identical to the original except the grip is now injection molded and the silk screen art on the display is slightly different. The grip color is much closer to my prop now, but I still preferred the real wood grip on the original. The ones that did not crack, anyway.
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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2023 10:03 am
by Nasnandos
N2darkness wrote: Sun Apr 16, 2023 8:04 am striders knife.jpg
Strange how the reds have been bumped up in Weta's photo. It makes it look like the brass parts are copper and the leather is reddish brown.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2023 10:09 pm
by Jamie Shakespeare
Kit - slightly random question but I figured you're the best person to ask. I'm working on a replica belt for the Homer sword scabbard - I can't decide whether to make the parts in brass or bronze. I believe the props were bronze, however I want them to match with the UC replicas for obvious reasons. the plating on the UC John stuff - is this brass?

Thanks in advance!

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 2:23 am
by Nasnandos
Jamie Shakespeare wrote: Wed Apr 19, 2023 10:09 pm Kit - slightly random question but I figured you're the best person to ask. I'm working on a replica belt for the Homer sword scabbard - I can't decide whether to make the parts in brass or bronze. I believe the props were bronze, however I want them to match with the UC replicas for obvious reasons. the plating on the UC John stuff - is this brass?

Thanks in advance!
Sorry, I'm not sure what the Homer sword scabbard is, or what the UC John stuff is. Do you mean the Eomer scabbard?

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:22 am
by Jamie Shakespeare
Wow - that's a lot of typos! My apologies - should've proof-read.

what it should have said is - Kit - slightly random question but I figured you're the best person to ask. I'm working on a replica belt for the Eomer sword scabbard - I can't decide whether to make the parts in brass or bronze. I believe the props were bronze, however I want them to match with the UC replicas for obvious reasons. the plating on the UC Rohan stuff - is this brass?

Thanks in advance!

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:44 pm
by Nasnandos
I assume the cast belt parts on the hero props were bronze, or at least meant to look like that. I think it's just paint effects to give it that dark patina and tarnished look, but that's more of a bronze thing than the way brass tarnishes.

The United Eomer parts are what we call "antique brass" plated. That's a brass plating with a dark oxide coating that is polished off to give it an aged patina look, which is really more like bronze than brass.
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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2023 8:36 pm
by Jamie Shakespeare
Nasnandos wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:44 pm I assume the cast belt parts on the hero props were bronze, or at least meant to look like that. I think it's just paint effects to give it that dark patina and tarnished look, but that's more of a bronze thing than the way brass tarnishes.

The United Eomer parts are what we call "antique brass" plated. That's a brass plating with a dark oxide coating that is polished off to give it an aged patina look, which is really more like bronze than brass.
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Kit - you are a star! Many thanks for this, that's really useful to know.

I'll post photos once I've completed it and fixed it to the Guthwine scabbard! I'm halfway through modelling the hardware, just the pretzel & buckle to go.
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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 3:31 am
by Nasnandos
Jamie Shakespeare wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 8:36 pm I'll post photos once I've completed it and fixed it to the Guthwine scabbard! I'm halfway through modelling the hardware, just the pretzel & buckle to go.
Cool. All that tooled leather should be a fun challenge.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:54 am
by Lindir
Plastic grip or not, I’ll be getting one of these. It’s one of my grail pieces and I didn’t snag one in time before they stopped being produced when I started collecting all the way back in 08/09.

I wonder what price range it will come in at though?

The strider scabbard is up for pre-order in the UK and it actually costs more than the sword currently and is nearly £300. I miss the days when the scabbards were under £100! 😂

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2023 11:40 pm
by StrongWithGod
Lindir wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:54 am Plastic grip or not, I’ll be getting one of these. It’s one of my grail pieces and I didn’t snag one in time before they stopped being produced when I started collecting all the way back in 08/09.

I wonder what price range it will come in at though?

The strider scabbard is up for pre-order in the UK and it actually costs more than the sword currently and is nearly £300. I miss the days when the scabbards were under £100! 😂
I regret not buying the scabbards back in the day when they were released...now the prices are prohibitive...so I go right for the swords only...maybe one day.

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2023 4:21 am
by Jamie Shakespeare
Nasnandos wrote: Fri Apr 21, 2023 3:31 am
Jamie Shakespeare wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 8:36 pm I'll post photos once I've completed it and fixed it to the Guthwine scabbard! I'm halfway through modelling the hardware, just the pretzel & buckle to go.
Cool. All that tooled leather should be a fun challenge.
IMG_4685.jpg
So far so good - just the pretzel and the double-horsehead part of the buckle to go! Kit - I don't suppose you have a photo of the buckle itself by any chance? I've scoured the internet and the DVD's, I've found some photos that are taken at an angle but I'd love to see if there's a photo out there with a true top view of it

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:47 am
by N2darkness
Jamie Shakespeare wrote: Fri Apr 28, 2023 4:21 am

IMG_4685.jpg

So far so good - just the pretzel and the double-horsehead part of the buckle to go! Kit - I don't suppose you have a photo of the buckle itself by any chance? I've scoured the internet and the DVD's, I've found some photos that are taken at an angle but I'd love to see if there's a photo out there with a true top view of it
Here is the clearest photo I have.
buckle.jpg

Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 8:59 am
by Nasnandos
Jamie Shakespeare wrote: Fri Apr 28, 2023 4:21 am I don't suppose you have a photo of the buckle itself by any chance?
I had to dig, but I found one.
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Re: United Cutlery's - LOTR & The Hobbit - Movie Props!

Posted: Mon May 01, 2023 9:01 am
by Nasnandos
Lindir wrote: Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:54 am The strider scabbard is up for pre-order in the UK and it actually costs more than the sword currently and is nearly £300. I miss the days when the scabbards were under £100! 😂
Now you know why UC was so hesitant to do another run!