Makeshift Unorthodox Costume (In Progress)

[SirLiftaLot]

Got the grey and black mask in. I think it fits with the outfit well!

[mrg149]

SA-WEET!! That waas a very nice addition to a very good looking costume! your choices have all been well thought oout nd on-point

[DarthProdigal]

It's a good fit, but to me now reminds me of Mortal Kombat. Like Smoke stepped into SW, not like that would be a bad thing either, I love MK. Also there are various assassins in SW U so also not complaining.

[SirLiftaLot]

SA-WEET!! That waas a very nice addition to a very good looking costume! your choices have all been well thought oout nd on-point

Thanks! I'm working on making a Beskar spear right now. I picked up the 3D printed spearhead that won't destroy whatever it comes in contact with like a metal spearhead would. As for the spear shaft, the spearhead fits into 1" PVC pipe after a bit of sanding, so I'm spray-painting some 1" PVC pipes to approximately match the color. There was no 5' or 6' length of pipe, and I didn't have anything to cleanly cut a 10' pipe in half at the time, so the plan became 2x 2' pipes, and 1x 1' pipe, which I will connect to each other with 1" inside connectors and PVC cement. So the 3 pieces should look pretty flush when connected, as opposed to the larger connectors that the pipes go into, which would result in two larger pieces on the shaft, which isn't really desirable for a staff. I did end up picking up a PVC pipe cutter later, so I suppose the "optimal" thing would be to pick up a 10' length of pipe, cut it in half, and then paint that piece so it's one solid shaft, but I think I'm going to run with what I've been doing, as I already have all the parts here or on the way, and I think there's some character to be had in designs made out of utility or necessity. I first went with a lighter metallic-type spray, and put on 3 layers on each pipe to get good cover and also to ensure that all the writing on the pipes is covered. But I didn't get the 3rd layer on the last pipe, so I went over it with a darker steel colored spray paint which I think would have been too dark if I just used multiple layers of it, but as one layer over 2-3 lighter layers, it seems to be a very happy medium to what a Beskar spear should look like, and matches the color of the spearhead I have pretty well I'd say.

So now I just have to experiment with the clear coat spray I have on a spare pipe to make sure it will work and look alright, and then spray the 3 lengths of pipe I will actually use. Once that's done, the only thing remaining will be, once the inner connectors arrive, so attach/cement the pipes together and hammer the spearhead into one end of the pipe-shaft, since it's a super tight fit that way and shouldn't need any glue/adhesive.

So the spear-shaft should be a little bit over 5' (2'+2'+1' plus the little bit from the two connectors), and then 8" or so from the spearhead, so probably ~5'-10", or roughly the same length as my saberstaff haha. Which I think is a fair height for the Beskar spear shown in The Mandalorian, considering Pedro Pascal is listed at 5'-11" (which I assume is in shoes, s it almost always is for anyone who isn't measured at a sports combine IME), a quick pixel count in one of the images I saw puts the spear staff at roughly 5'-6" in length. So if I had to go with 5' or 6' for the shaft, I'm going with 5, as ~5'-10" overall is preferable to 6'-10" for me. And since this is a spear-shaft with a spearhead only one on side, as opposed to a saberstaff with blades on both sides, I can hold this one way to one end, which will give it incredible reach relative to even a longer saberstaff I'd say, so I don't think leaving some length on the table will be at all a disadvantage here considering I'll still have the option of very long reach, while also having optimal mobility when holding it towards the center like a staff.

[SirLiftaLot]

It's a good fit, but to me now reminds me of Mortal Kombat. Like Smoke stepped into SW, not like that would be a bad thing either, I love MK. Also there are various assassins in SW U so also not complaining.

Haha, I totally see the Mortal Kombat vibes now that you mention it. But I suppose that does make sense, considering I repeatedly drew from a Martial Arts background for ideas and inspiration. The half-mask idea I originally got from the leather Japanese mempo, which is pretty much what a lot of the Mortal Kombat characters wear. And Star Wars does draw heavily on martial arts and monks, so I think it works.

But yeah, looking at some of these Smoke images, some of which being art, some fan-art, but still relevant, etc. I TOTALLY see it.

The mask design and the grey over-layer with the forearm coverings here:


To the forearm wrap on one of the arms here, and even the black belt with the silver circular clasp.


I see it for sure, and honestly can't complain about it.

[DarthProdigal]

Haha, I totally see the Mortal Kombat vibes now that you mention it. But I suppose that does make sense, considering I repeatedly drew from a Martial Arts background for ideas and inspiration. The half-mask idea I originally got from the leather Japanese mempo, which is pretty much what a lot of the Mortal Kombat characters wear. And Star Wars does draw heavily on martial arts and monks, so I think it works.

But yeah, looking at some of these Smoke images, some of which being art, some fan-art, but still relevant, etc. I TOTALLY see it.

The mask design and the grey over-layer with the forearm coverings here:

To the forearm wrap on one of the arms here, and even the black belt with the silver circular clasp.

I see it for sure, and honestly can't complain about it.

Nope, I mean if you photoshopped a lightsaber into the top image it'd look perfectly Jedi. And obviously Sith for the second one. But I could see both working in SW too. And at any rate all confusion would end the minute you ignited your lightsaber anyway... as it should be. All debate stops dead when a lightsaber is drawn.

I'm a long time MK fan, so Sub Zero with an Arctic Blue blade on a Azure Grand Master or Azure Butcher would sit perfectly well with me. Probably fighting Scorpion with a Reaper in one hand and a Scorpion in the other with both blades in Sentinel Yellow! (I now need to see fans do a video with this mashup.)

[SirLiftaLot]

Nope, I mean if you photoshopped a lightsaber into the top image it'd look perfectly Jedi. And obviously Sith for the second one. But I could see both working in SW too. And at any rate all confusion would end the minute you ignited your lightsaber anyway... as it should be. All debate stops dead when a lightsaber is drawn.

I'm a long time MK fan, so Sub Zero with an Arctic Blue blade on a Azure Grand Master or Azure Butcher would sit perfectly well with me. Probably fighting Scorpion with a Reaper in one hand and a Scorpion in the other with both blades in Sentinel Yellow! (I now need to see fans do a video with this mashup.)

All very good points. And assuredly drawing a lightsaber removes all doubt. Hell, Kirak Infil'a's look hardly screams JEDI or STAR WARS. He could be from any number of martial arts shows/movies, and his scars look more like something from One Piece than Star Wars at first glance:


But give him a lightsaber and it becomes obvious and brings the whole look into the Star Wars universe:


Oh, and some people have done Mortal Kombat cosplays with lightsabers:


And I'm pretty sure Jade already has what can pretty easily pass for a saberstaff (so long as you ignore the part where she's holding what would be the blade haha:

[DarthProdigal]

WOW, proud of that Sub Zero for sure, he did exactly what I was saying more or less. Just need a Scorpion to show up and attack to fulfill the dream. And I swear it looks like he's selling masks & lightsabers which is priceless!

And as far as Jade is concerned I'm pretty sure she's part reptile or from the same race as Reptile? So since there is a long history of SW beasts with lightsaber resistant skin... who's to say she doesn't fall into an EU crossover category where she could resist it for a few seconds. But that top image of her drawn holding a saberstaff style weapon is gorgeous. That would make a nice hilt design IRL if it were even slightly practical to do. But overall just too cool.

[SirLiftaLot]

WOW, proud of that Sub Zero for sure, he did exactly what I was saying more or less. Just need a Scorpion to show up and attack to fulfill the dream. And I swear it looks like he's selling masks & lightsabers which is priceless!

And as far as Jade is concerned I'm pretty sure she's part reptile or from the same race as Reptile? So since there is a long history of SW beasts with lightsaber resistant skin... who's to say she doesn't fall into an EU crossover category where she could resist it for a few seconds. But that top image of her drawn holding a saberstaff style weapon is gorgeous. That would make a nice hilt design IRL if it were even slightly practical to do. But overall just too cool.

That top photo is apparently a cosplay. You can see the photographer's name on the bottom left of the image:



I wouldn't doubt if there were some effects and or filters, as is commonplace with pretty much every professional photoshoot, but it is real.

And good point on having skin that is at least somewhat or temporarily lightsaber resistant. Not quite the same, but the same basic design of a staff with three light-sections is actually the design of the LED staff from the people who make the LED nunchucks I have. In aluminum or black:


You'd have to wrap/paint/whatever the "hilt" portions are to make them match the gold design of Jade's weapon, and you technically have that little portion on either end that isn't lit, but if someone was looking for a Jade-style LED staff, I think these would be a pretty solid option. Of course, that staff doesn't uncouple, and the blades aren't removable, so it's always a 6' staff, but it's the only 3-portion LED staff I've seen. From an in-universe perspective, that central part being lit up would be a bit strange, as I'm not really sure how it would even work, and unless you had saber-resistant skin/armor/etc. handling it would be a nightmare, but her weapon does already look almost like a saberstaff as-is.

[DarthProdigal]

I can see the desire to thwart the opponent's mentality toward cutting your saberstaff in half which would exist in SW combat... also it's a slightly offensive option as an extra choice to block/use that part to attack VERY creatively. But that would require amazing use of the Force to coordinate in any way and not lose fingers blocking, handling that monster, or with surprise attacks using the center. I'd personally craft some type of handguard out of lightsaber resistant material around the individual handles! Either quarter shields similar to a rapier guard or shaped blades that offer finger defense & even more offense (similar in design to brass knuckles but extending outward into a blade about 2" in length)... Either way that mod would help channel the enemy lightsaber into that central "lock zone" thus created to control their blade potentially and parry instantly (keeping that control or deflecting their lightsaber) as you cut them with either end at your disposal. That'd be a glorious Sith weapon mod right there... you once again got the ole gears turning in the weapon design part of my brain. I love the base concept anyway because it's the closest I've seen yet to a 3 section staff and I adore those. Although this would function as the exact opposite functionally with grip points and since it's one piece vs the flexible 3 parts. Still really cool! Added to my Sith Armorer potential project list... I can feel the anger radiating from such a weapon design.

[SirLiftaLot]

I can see the desire to thwart the opponent's mentality toward cutting your saberstaff in half which would exist in SW combat... also it's a slightly offensive option as an extra choice to block/use that part to attack VERY creatively. But that would require amazing use of the Force to coordinate in any way and not lose fingers blocking, handling that monster, or with surprise attacks using the center. I'd personally craft some type of handguard out of lightsaber resistant material around the individual handles! Either quarter shields similar to a rapier guard or shaped blades that offer finger defense & even more offense (similar in design to brass knuckles but extending outward into a blade about 2" in length)... Either way that mod would help channel the enemy lightsaber into that central "lock zone" thus created to control their blade potentially and parry instantly (keeping that control or deflecting their lightsaber) as you cut them with either end at your disposal. That'd be a glorious Sith weapon mod right there... you once again got the ole gears turning in the weapon design part of my brain. I love the base concept anyway because it's the closest I've seen yet to a 3 section staff and I adore those. Although this would function as the exact opposite functionally with grip points and since it's one piece vs the flexible 3 parts. Still really cool! Added to my Sith Armorer potential project list... I can feel the anger radiating from such a weapon design.

You mean one of these?



The lovechild of a bo staff and nunchucks. I want one...

[DarthProdigal]

You mean one of these?

The lovechild of a bo staff and nunchucks. I want one...

That's F***ING SAVAGE!!! I hate you because I WANT ONE now! Damn it, this is grinding my piggy bank to dust under the weight of my desires/wishlist...  But that is a perfect weapon to cruelly deflect a lightsaber, slip the middle section behind someone's back, and "hug them" and look them in the eye as you slice them in half. Bold and brutal Sith style, classic "I want to make this personal, feel the terror up close."

In SW I totally would have "recruited" you from the shadows to hunt down epic weapons tech and gear because you have an eye for finding nasty hardware. Ugh, I will be poor at this rate if I don't go conquer something.

[SirLiftaLot]

That's F***ING SAVAGE!!! I hate you because I WANT ONE now! Damn it, this is grinding my piggy bank to dust under the weight of my desires/wishlist...  But that is a perfect weapon to cruelly deflect a lightsaber, slip the middle section behind someone's back, and "hug them" and look them in the eye as you slice them in half. Bold and brutal Sith style, classic "I want to make this personal, feel the terror up close."

In SW I totally would have "recruited" you from the shadows to hunt down epic weapons tech and gear because you have an eye for finding nasty hardware. Ugh, I will be poor at this rate if I don't go conquer something.

It is pretty wild. $160, so not crazy expensive, but man, does that wishlist really add up quick, even with things that aren’t exorbitantly expensive alone.

Now that you get me thinking about it, I’d probably get myself kicked out of the Jedi order for my love of exotic weapons and my inevitable association with those who make, collect, and use them.

I mean, my first light weapon was nunchucks, then a saberstaff. And now I’m making a Beskar spear. Definitely nothing orthodox here.

[DarthProdigal]

It is pretty wild. $160, so not crazy expensive, but man, does that wishlist really add up quick, even with things that aren’t exorbitantly expensive alone.

Now that you get me thinking about it, I’d probably get myself kicked out of the Jedi order for my love of exotic weapons and my inevitable association with those who make, collect, and use them.

I mean, my first light weapon was nunchucks, then a saberstaff. And now I’m making a Beskar spear. Definitely nothing orthodox here.

Lmao, they do love to Exile those who break ranks too harshly... but you would likely be given choices. You know how to "tow the company line" enough and say "yes Master" enough to likely stay. I don't know if your ideas would ultimately be called outright heresy. It's more how far you're willing to take a train of thought, or if you simply stop after receiving "warnings" or "guidance" to steer you in a more proper/fitting direction. If you proved you weren't going to go kill crazy with your weapons projects or allow them to "fall into the wrong hands" I don't think they'd simply expel you for your studies so much as frown upon your desires if they feel they began to pull in too negative a direction. If it were me (within the Order) overseeing you I'd likely just have you placed under the direction of the Council of Reconciliation to put you out there using the honed skills to settle diplomatic situations that spiraled into full on conflict. Or (although it's potentially dangerous) place you under the care, direction, and at the disposal of the Council of First Knowledge. So you have archive access to weapons of all sorts to quench that thirst for knowledge under supervision. If you make something to dangerous/heretical they'll hopefully see it in advance and do that good ole Jedi BANNED and lock/store it away as tabboo! But with proper training or focus you could be "cleansing" ancient Sith weapons, cataloguing exotic weaponry collected, or coming up with new variants for use by the Order. Even possibly corrupted by an ancient relic or two... It would wholly depend on you and guidance you received. Will of the Force and all that. Your choice of blue blades falls in line with that training regimen and desire to progress in prowess while seeking new avenues of weaponry/technique. Your poor Jedi Master might indeed have their hands full, Qui-gon probably would have been an example of a great choice for mentorship or dealing with a potentially atypical Knight of the Order.

[SirLiftaLot]

So I think I'm getting the hang of the Obi-Ani spin with the saberstaff. Funnily enough, it almost feels more natural with the staff than with just a single blade. Likely just due to my being more comfortable with the staff than a single saber in general. Using a single saber with an extension (saberpike) also seems a bit more natural than just a single saber to me, but is a bit slower. Any loss of speed with the staff, if there is any, is mitigated by there being two blades moving, so even if it's a bit slower, a blade moves past a point twice as often, so I think it still looks nice. Always room for improvement though. But with the saberpike, there's still the added length/weight, but no second blade, so it looks like it's going a bit slower to me, since I guess it is. When using a single saber, I think I have the motion down, but I seem to sometimes, when picking up the pace, not get a full rotation behind the back and bring the blade back to the front in a way where it's almost more sliding it to the front than spinning to the front, which, unless my mind is playing tricks on me, it looks like Obi-Wan does a bit in the actual Episode 3.

Anyway, here's the saberstaff spinning, since I think it looks better than the single blade spinning at the moment:
https://i.imgur.com/tmDaJDc.mp4