|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 18, 2013 8:28:33 GMT -5
(moved the post here because it's chatter about a specific piece of merchandise... I think it's okay for me to do that right?) So I've recently been looking for the "Sword of Angelus" released by Factory X. My conclusion? It's practically impossible to find. My findings however, are much more interesting and I'm gonna share the benefits with ya'll! So after using screen caps of the sword it's pretty obvious that the official Factory X one is a shoddy replica.... no surprise there. They totally changed the blade and feathered the details on the handle for some strange reason. No idea why. But anyway, you can bag yourself the same type of sword they used on the show for incredibly cheap! It's available on eBay and Amazon (although prices range from about $40 - well over $600) I got mine for $39.99 (£25 ish)!!! It just needs a little bit of a repaint when it arrives and voila! One sword of Acathla, blessed by the knight who first slew the demon. RIP Kendra <3 Screencaps: Factory X version: My one that's on the way to me now! You can find it on eBay by searching for "El Cid Sword" or "Tizona Sword" Good luck everyone! I'll make a custom thread when it arrives and I begin work on it And for anyone else that's been looking to add this to your collection, You're Welcome! (RIP Cordelia <3)
|
|
|
Post by PJ on Sept 18, 2013 9:46:24 GMT -5
Just bought mine on Amazon thanks to Greg for only $28 shipped. It's insane. All it needs is a little TLC then BAM. We got ourself a great replica. I'm excited to get to work on mine too. Hopefully it won't be too much of a challenge. Right now all I see that needs work is obviously the color of the handle, the 2 handle bars need to be shortened, and some leather needs to go on the handle.
|
|
|
Post by Willow'sTheNewBlack™ on Sept 18, 2013 10:17:34 GMT -5
Looks good but in the blade there is some detail the other sword hasn't and the handle needs thinning
|
|
|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 18, 2013 10:41:33 GMT -5
Looks good but in the blade there is some detail the other sword hasn't and the handle needs thinning If you look again at the image with Kendra you'll see there is actually detail engraved into the blade. My aim here is to get it to look like the one in the episode, not like the Factory X one. Any thoughts on how to shorten the handlebars?
|
|
|
Post by Willow'sTheNewBlack™ on Sept 18, 2013 11:54:02 GMT -5
I'd leave the handle bars and oh I see the factory x one isn't a replica then is it ahah
|
|
|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 18, 2013 13:35:34 GMT -5
I'd leave the handle bars and oh I see the factory x one isn't a replica then is it ahah I did mention the crappiness of the Factory X one in the original post... Lol.
|
|
|
Post by Willow'sTheNewBlack™ on Sept 18, 2013 13:43:54 GMT -5
oh right i didnt see lol but good luck to both of you on your projects
|
|
|
Post by elee0031 on Sept 18, 2013 19:33:52 GMT -5
If it were me I wouldn't shorten anything. If you look closely the hilt is actually the same size and design. Only the color is off, instead of silver use a gold plate finish on both hilt and end-handle. Also go with the black leather with gold seems to wrap the handle of the sword.
Factory X messed up and forgot to look at the blade. It's a full blade design and where the end of the blade meets the hilt the blade curves inward - Kendra's sword does not curve in it's all flat.
I think you may have to be careful when order this sword too. I think the cheaper ones may be counterfeit. The history of the sword comes from Spain and the maker of this particular sword did very but one of production company stands out and that is "Maroto." Maroto made my XENA sword and bares their maker logo. They do very detailed swords and it would be numbered. If you don't go after the Factory X version go after the Maroto version instead as it would be more authentic and people will know the maker/craftsmen behind the sword.
|
|
|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 18, 2013 21:41:35 GMT -5
If it were me I wouldn't shorten anything. If you look closely the hilt is actually the same size and design. Only the color is off, instead of silver use a gold plate finish on both hilt and end-handle. Also go with the black leather with gold seems to wrap the handle of the sword. Factory X messed up and forgot to look at the blade. It's a full blade design and where the end of the blade meets the hilt the blade curves inward - Kendra's sword does not curve in it's all flat. I think you may have to be careful when order this sword too. I think the cheaper ones may be counterfeit. The history of the sword comes from Spain and the maker of this particular sword did very but one of production company stands out and that is "Maroto." Maroto made my XENA sword and bares their maker logo. They do very detailed swords and it would be numbered. If you don't go after the Factory X version go after the Maroto version instead as it would be more authentic and people will know the maker/craftsmen behind the sword. Thank you for the tips elee! I haven't received it yet so I can't be sure of exactly what I plan to do, but for sure will be using a gold spray paint for metalwork on the handle bar bits and the tip of the handle and wrapping the handle with leather as you have suggested. I'll have to find the right kinf of leather somewhere! Probably a craft shop I'll be able to tell for sure if the sizes are ok when it arrives, I'll keep you posted!
|
|
Joan-b
Scooby Member
Posts: 171
|
Post by Joan-b on Sept 19, 2013 5:18:07 GMT -5
Excellent idea, actually I did the same because I had bought the official Factory-X replica and unfortunately it looked very cheap, and totally inaccurate to the real one used in the show, so I resold it. Then I bought a "El Cid" Sword (I bought it directly in Spain) and made some changes on it : I repainted the handle with gold paint ( the same that I used to repaint my Vampyr Book -thanks Hansi - ), I wrapped the handle with 10 meters of black leather and when I bought the sword there was a possibility to engrave something on the blade, so I've chosen "Save me a seat." On the screenshot with Kendra I'm not sure that the blade is engraved, or at least with the same symbols, maybe these are just marks like you can see on the top of the blade ? Here are some photos : BEFORE :AFTER :With other props (the orb is a real quartz but this one was too small, so I made a change with the seller, I have to take new photos...)
|
|
|
Post by robert on Sept 19, 2013 5:41:17 GMT -5
Really nice details guys but they won't ship to uk gutted !!!!
|
|
|
Post by elee0031 on Sept 19, 2013 5:46:51 GMT -5
joan b, you should've left the gold alone. It already had the old gold painting - now it just looks new. Again that's just me and this is pretty much what I suggested to do. I should pick up a sword myself sense it's reasonably priced at the moment for $52 shipping included for USA. It's cool that the seller special engraved it for you. I would've picked something like "Only A True Worthy Knight May Yield This Sword" or something along that line (because Angel tried pulling out the sword and failed and Spike had said "someone wasn't worthy.").
Also the handle is iron wire casted so you actually don't need a leather wrap unless you want it. Otherwise the next option is to spray paint it black the iron wire ridges will still show up in the end result.
|
|
|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 19, 2013 5:57:40 GMT -5
Really nice details guys but they won't ship to uk gutted !!!! I'm in the UK and I'm lucky enough to have a few friends in the states. I sent them the payment for it via paypal and they purchased it for selecting international shipping with my address. If you have anyone in the states that's able to do that for you get on it! joan b: great minds think alike! I love how that leather looks, and the gold does look great. I plan to give mine a more brassy gold look though to have a more aged sort of look. I love how all of the episode props fit so well together! I need to get me a suitable container for my Quartz sphere "Orb of Thesulah" - I'm making my own, since the Factory X one is plastic. Elee I get what you mean about the quotation on the sword, however the sword Angelus isn't worthy of pulling out of Acathla is not the same sword given to Buffy by Kendra The El Cid sword that we're customising is (if I recall correctly) blessed by the knight who first slew the demon [with the sword that he left in Acathla's chest, that Angelus eventually pulls out]
|
|
|
Post by elee0031 on Sept 19, 2013 6:31:45 GMT -5
Really nice details guys but they won't ship to uk gutted !!!! I'm in the UK and I'm lucky enough to have a few friends in the states. I sent them the payment for it via paypal and they purchased it for selecting international shipping with my address. If you have anyone in the states that's able to do that for you get on it! joan b: great minds think alike! I love how that leather looks, and the gold does look great. I plan to give mine a more brassy gold look though to have a more aged sort of look. I love how all of the episode props fit so well together! I need to get me a suitable container for my Quartz sphere "Orb of Thesulah" - I'm making my own, since the Factory X one is plastic. Elee I get what you mean about the quotation on the sword, however the sword Angelus isn't worthy of pulling out of Acathla is not the same sword given to Buffy by Kendra The El Cid sword that we're customising is (if I recall correctly) blessed by the knight who first slew the demon [with the sword that he left in Acathla's chest, that Angelus eventually pulls out] If I'm not mistaken they just refer to him as the knight. One sticking out the statue came from a knight that slayed the demon and Kendra's sword that was blessed by the knight. They could be referring to the same person but 2 different swords. But the engraving is great if you can get it. At the moment I don't think anyone is offering custom engraving.
|
|
Joan-b
Scooby Member
Posts: 171
|
Post by Joan-b on Sept 19, 2013 7:19:46 GMT -5
In fact I think there were 2 (or maybe more) different Buffy's swords used in the show, the one with Kendra in the library, and the other during the fight between Buffy and Angel. If you look at the photos you will see that the one in the library is painted in light gold, and the one in Angel's mansion is painted in "old" gold, it also has the black leather wrapped around the handle, as I did on mine. Mine tended to go to "green" gold and was black on the edges, which was not very beautiful (on the photo the day light may accentuate the effect of "new"). At last I think there is more work to do on it to look very accurate to the one used in the show, especially the embossed ornaments on the handle, because nor the one in the library or in Angel's mansion have ornaments, but it's a lot of work, so for the moment I'm pleased with it The other sword is Angelus Sword, the one that is locked in Acathla, which is a totally different sword For the inscription on the blade, you're both right I should have chosen something like " Blessed by the knight who first slew the demon", but Buffy's quote was also a wink for the beginning of the fight, at last I wanted something linked to this epic fight instead of the history of the sword itself... I should have asked 2 inscriptions, for each side of the blade lol gregorygaige: Real quartz is really better, and I'm currently working with a woodworker to make a better/more accurate container for my orb too
|
|
|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 19, 2013 7:29:13 GMT -5
At last I think there is more work to do on it to look very accurate to the one used in the show, especially the embossed ornaments on the handle, because nor the one in the library or in Angel's mansion have ornaments, but it's a lot of work, so for the moment I'm pleased with it The other sword is Angelus Sword, the one that is locked in Acathla, which is a totally different sword For the inscription on the blade, you're both right I should have chosen something like " Blessed by the knight who first slew the demon", but Buffy's quote was also a wink for the beginning of the fight, at last I wanted something linked to this epic fight instead of the history of the sword itself... I should have asked 2 inscriptions, for each side of the blade lol gregorygaige: Real quartz is really better, and I'm currently working with a woodworker to make a better/more accurate container for my orb too Yeah I think with the sword used on the show they filed or sanded down most of the detailing on the handle, which is a shame because it really is a beautifully detailed sword. If I make any adjustments they will be very minor ones as I think it looks too good with the detailing to remove it. (And I'd also have to remove by hand sanding it.... so that'd take forever!) Ahh yeah I know! I got an 80mm one quartz sphere after first getting a 60mm one and realising it was too small... The actual Orbs used on the show were quartz spheres I believe. (Which also go for pretty cheap on eBay if anyone is looking!) Ah If you'd be able to give me the dimensions/measurements of your container I'd be forever in your debt! (Or if you'd be able to get them to make a double of your container I'd happily pay you the money ;P) I've been desperately looking but to no avail. I love the "save me a seat" quote, it's very kick ass Elee I'm pretty sure if you took it to a jewellers they'd be able to add an engraving to it for a pretty decent price. I think I'm going to leave mine with the detailing on the blade as I love the look of it. Just can't wait for it to arrive!
|
|
|
Post by elee0031 on Sept 19, 2013 7:54:15 GMT -5
I think the only thing I don't like about this sword is that bar that holds one side of the blade. It makes it look clunky and it doesn't suit the prop quite well.
|
|
|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 19, 2013 8:24:22 GMT -5
Which bar holding the blade? I'm confused now. Do you mean these knobbly bits? If that's what you mean I agree, they are the first things I shall be getting rid of. They are actually there because there is meant to be a cross bar going over/around the blade as you can see here...
|
|
|
Post by elee0031 on Sept 19, 2013 8:38:10 GMT -5
Looks like handle bars to me on the silver sword. The Gold sword knobs?? look very weird too.
If we are going back to props I think the one Kendra is holding was cut off and remolded - the bar and the knobs were removed. I guess this is something that each person will have to look into when or if removing.
|
|
|
Post by gregorygaige on Sept 19, 2013 8:44:52 GMT -5
Luckily the one I ordered doesn't come with the cross bar thing (I think) but I'll definitely be getting rid of the knobs.
Well whatever I decide to do I will keep you all posted, and hopefully the rest of the Sword of Angelus customisers can keep us all updated too!
|
|