[quote=""Fingolfin""]Speaking of The Hobbit, I just bought the Key to Erebor and Thorin Oakenshield statue. Super excited for them to arrive, seeing as Gandalf's Staff is the only collectible I have from The Hobbit so far.[/quote]

The Key to Erebor is a nice little piece.

[quote=""Buckeye""]The Key to Erebor is a nice little piece.[/quote]

And you're not biased at all, considering that's your avatar....

I agree though, I love my Key.

[quote=""Valkrist""]And you're not biased at all, considering that's your avatar....

I agree though, I love my Key. [/quote]

Yup.

I think I might try to find a different way to display it, since I heard the stand isn't particularly special.

I just pre-ordered the next design book!

Has anyone here in the States ordered the Weta Staff Of Radagast? If so, what kind of shipping cost were you quoted (shipping from the U.S. warehouse)? I'm in the central U.S. and would lke to get an idea of this before ordering. Thanks in advance!

[quote=""MorgulMike""]Has anyone here in the States ordered the Weta Staff Of Radagast? If so, what kind of shipping cost were you quoted (shipping from the U.S. warehouse)? I'm in the central U.S. and would lke to get an idea of this before ordering. Thanks in advance![/quote]

$40.87 was the shipping charge for me on the east coast.

[quote=""Jamanticus""]$40.87 was the shipping charge for me on the east coast.[/quote]

Thanks my friend! I know that this is considered to be oversized but that seems really high. Hopefully it'll turn out to be lower, for both of us.

Mine was only $15, but I'm only a few miles from the warehouse, usually get it next day to.

[quote=""N2darkness""]Mine was only $15, but I'm only a few miles from the warehouse, usually get it next day to.[/quote]

And hopefully you'll get it soon, because I want pictures! Shipping is one big factor preventing me from pulling the trigger right now. But as soon as I see a "Low Stock" warning, I'll probably buy it.

Yeah, I'm madly waiting for N2's pictures and discerning review. Hopefully if he and a couple of others like it well enough, I'm not waiting for Low Stock to order it.

Shipping to Canada is actually not that bad, and like N2, I'm not too far away from the Oregon warehouse. Problem is they use UPS which then kills you with brokerage charges.

Regarding the Staff Of Radagast, I was thinking that $40 to the east coast seemed high but after seeing the shipping charges that sellers on eBay are quoting, $40 isn't as high as I thought. I really want one, so I want to make a decision fairly soon. (I also want the Staff of Gandalf but, with Weta and UC selling it, I feel I have more time.)

I was thinking $40 was high too before, but honestly, they could be losing money on that considering to send a 3 pound 12"x8"x6" box overseas just cost me $35.

Could be worse, I hear Aussies are paying something like $130 just to ship it over the channel from NZ!

[quote=""Fingolfin""]Could be worse, I hear Aussies are paying something like $130 just to ship it over the channel from NZ![/quote]

True, but much like their other ridiculous laws and polices (AUS that is), I wouldn't e xp ect anything less than to tax the heck out of NZ to AUS trade.

[quote=""Valkrist""]Yeah, I'm madly waiting for N2's pictures and discerning review. Hopefully if he and a couple of others like it well enough, I'm not waiting for Low Stock to order it.

Shipping to Canada is actually not that bad, and like N2, I'm not too far away from the Oregon warehouse. Problem is they use UPS which then kills you with brokerage charges. [/quote]

Just got my staff of Radagast and very, very pleased. Packed to the hilt and a little difficult to remove from the package (especially if you don't want to ruin it so it can be reused) The paint job it top notch and is much lighter in weight that the UC Gandalf makes it feel like real wood. Now I really wish I would have gotten the Weta Gandalf version. I will post some pics later this week when I'm off work.

Interesting. So you like the Weta version better? I'm not huge hawk on the paint job thing, but how do the details and "feel" differ, if you know what I mean?

N2, you are a gentleman and a scholar!

Can't wait to see pics of the staff, it'll be great to see what we can e xp ect from the Weta GtG staff as well, especially for people like me who have held off purchasing both versions because I didn't know which would be higher quality.

[quote=""Fingolfin""]Interesting. So you like the Weta version better? I'm not huge hawk on the paint job thing, but how do the details and "feel" differ, if you know what I mean?[/quote]

It looks very much like wood, even the feel. Has a nice crook for your hand to fit into. Can't say enough about how well Weta has done. Pics soon, I promise.

....fine....I'm caving. I'll buy it; you ought to get a commission. I'll wait until the end of the month to see if anything else comes out. If not, I guess I'll just have to do the dirty deed and double up on staffs from this movie!

I edited your post for language, Fin...go a little lighter on the swearing, please.

Sorry, I was tired last night, probably wasn't thinking about it.

Alright, a few crappy pics till Thursday when I can do a better job. # 148



and one with a flash to show you how bad the UC paint job really is on mine compared to Weta's.

That actually looks better than the prop pix I have. Really nice job by Weta there.

Looks awesome. My credit card is shaking its head at me so I have to wait one more week, but then it is getting ordered for sure. N2, how do you like the crystal? Does it sit tightly in its nook?

[quote=""Valkrist""]Looks awesome. My credit card is shaking its head at me so I have to wait one more week, but then it is getting pre-ordered for sure. N2, how do you like the crystal? Does it sit tightly in its nook?[/quote]

The crystal sit loosely, but you can hold the staff upside down and it won't fall out.

I'd say go for it, you won't be disappointed

Wow, I want it bad now!

The staff looks amazing. Can't wait until mine arrives

I see you have Orcrist up on display as well, what are your thoughts on it?

Well, definitely sold on it now. Nice placement of Orcrist, by the way.

I got an email saying my staff will be processed and dispatched next week

The mounting bracket that comes with the staff doesn't look very good and like N2 mentioned on the weta forum it could damage the paint.

I'm actually planning on putting it in a display cabinet once I get some more money, but for now I need to think of a way of displaying it without the awful bracket it comes with. Any ideas guys?

Hmmm... can someone post a closeup pic of the wall bracket?

The old UC brackets for the Gandalf the White and Saruman staves were metal also, but they had clear rubber tubbing to protect the staff from rubbing against the holder. I really like the Grey staff bracket. Wish we could buy it separately just for the Radagast staff.

Yes to answer Lindir's question I got Orcrist yesterday and further photo's and a review coming tomorrow.

On the wall bracket for Radagast's staff here is a photo.



I don't think it opens up far enough not to cause some damage to the paint job over time. The bracket is made from some fairly strong metal and rubber dipped I'll add some more pictures tomorrow of what I'm talking about.

Seems like some felt strips with a sticky back would do the trick to protect the staff, no?

No, its more of a spring type fit so it puts pressure on it.

Here is a few pictures to show what I mean. 1st with the bracket next to the staff

and with the bracket on the staff.

Still looks like you can place felt on the inside of the bracket, unless the minute addition in thickness would prevent the staff from sliding in?

I was thinking about trying to make it wider by gently hitting it with a hammer. But from those photos you posted N2, I'm not sure that would work

[quote=""Lindir""]I got an email saying my staff will be processed and dispatched next week

The mounting bracket that comes with the staff doesn't look very good and like N2 mentioned on the weta forum it could damage the paint.

I'm actually planning on putting it in a display cabinet once I get some more money, but for now I need to think of a way of displaying it without the awful bracket it comes with. Any ideas guys?[/quote]

I'm planning to have a friend create a wall plaque that will enable me to mount three staves (Galdalf the Grey, Gandalf the White, and Radagast) together and *horizontally.* Hopefully that will work the way I intend.

It may take a while before the solution in place, but when I do I'll post pics.

Is it rubber coated? Or plastic?

Its rubber and very stiff, not very easy to push the staff in. If they would have made the opening a little wider it would work much better. I don't like the fact you have to force it on there, it should be more of a gentle nudge as the staff isn't that heavy.

Uhg. I think I may have to make something custom for my Radagast staff, or make another one identical to the United Gandalf staff. It should be here next week.

Maybe you could get a replacmement one from UC. Several years ago you could get them from them. You will probably have to pay for it, but then it will be the same. Should work the same. I don't have Radagast's staff yet, but it looks like it will fit in the bracket for Gandalf's.

Alright, more photo's of the staff as promised #148/1000

a few more with UC Gandalf

Bellissimo!

Positively, absolutely great photos of a great staff.

The two have a good complimentary look together.

[quote=""Jamanticus""]Bellissimo!

Positively, absolutely great photos of a great staff.

The two have a good complimentary look together.[/quote]
Took the words out of my mouth (less to type)

My Radagast staff arrived today. Beautiful paint job. It really does look like real wood.

Unfortunately, one of the crown limbs was already cracked. I could see the damage before I unboxed it, even though I thought the packaging was OK. The wall mount was wrapped in foam, but loose in the box. I could hear it banging around before I opened it, so I suspect that's how the limb was damaged.

I can see a wire frame inside the cracked limb, but be very wary of hitting those limbs on anything. The polyresin is super thin around the wire and it does not look like it will take much to pressure to crack it. I'm going to repair mine with some thin resin glaze and paint over the patches.

The main difference I see from the filming prop is the coloring. There are several varying shades of brown on both staff props. The UC staff has about six shades of brown to replicate the G staff prop colors. The Radagast staff replica looks like there may be three, as you can see in the pix N2Darkness posted above. So, less of the prop look, but it actually means less dry brushing, so it looks more like wood than paint. The other difference is it appears to have a dull coat over the whole staff, which also enhances the real wood look IMO. It kind of looks like the surface of dried and sun bleached drift wood. The filming prop surface has more of a slight sheen to it, like the polish from years of handling, and you can see that from the pix from the Weta website.
http://www.last-alliance.net/forum/atta ... 1355927009
I think the duller look of the replica is better.

As far as the wall mount, yeah. That's definitely not going to be used. It is rubber coated metal. The back opening is not wide enough for the staff, and you definitely do not want the try and press the staff through those two arms. It can be bend open to the correct width, but that also bends the back plate so it is no longer flat.

Sorry yours arrived broken. Mine also had the wall bracket loose and rolling around in the box. I have a few very small chips in mine on on the top but nothing to horrible and barely noticeable. I'm also glad you agree about the wall bracket. I had almost thought you could use it near the top where the pipe slot is and push the two arms together and push them inside, it works but not sure for how long.

I'm really torn now on ordering the Weta Gandalf staff as the Radagast one turned out so great. I'm also half temped to just strip the paint on the UC one and give it a go myself. Any suggestions on paint stripping?

Hmmm... I'm hoping that when I order mine, it comes damage free, but that's a gamble every time. It won't stop me, but now I'm worried.

I'm more worried about what do to over this silly wall bracket issue. I'm really surprised Weta didn't think this through a little better. I guess it shows their ine xp erience over selling wall-mounted weapon replicas versus UC, who's had the benefit of doing this for years.

Kit, any chance you could convince your employers to sell the Grey Staff wall mount by itself?

I'm self employed, but if you mean UC, I seriously doubt it. It fits the Radagast staff perfectly though.

Looking at it, I think the intent may have been to wedge the staff between those two arms, and the friction of the rubber would hold it in place. I bent the arms open a bit and tried it. Holds for a minute, then drops out. Do not do this. I then really really jammed it in there all the way to the back, but that's removing the paint just pulling it on and off, not to mention the force needed to put it on and off will rip the screws holding the bracket through drywall, unless you use a stud.

If the U shape were the correct diameter for the staff shaft, and it had been in the shape of a cupped C rather than a U, I think it would have worked OK.

[quote=""Nasnandos""]I'm self employed, but if you mean UC, I seriously doubt it. It fits the Radagast staff perfectly though.[/quote]

Yep, those guys you do design and development for. I was only half serious anyway.

I'm a bit glad my staff will only be going into storage once it arrives anyway because it gives time for other folks here to e xp eriment and come up with a solution that I can possibly try later. Thanks for giving us some do's and don'ts already, Kit. I wonder if anyone has mentioned this issue to Weta yet.