Mandalorian Saber

[Darth Vapour]

I have just started a Mandalorian saber, beginning with the emitter section (see below) I will cut out the eyes so the light shines through and paint the mythosaur skull black. I am thinking of making the hilt mainly gun metal grey with orange and blue accents. I have already got a fire orange MLS unit for it. I haven't decided on the specific design of the remainder of the hilt yet and would welcome any thoughts/suggestions. Thanks

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

That's pretty sick dude.

I think our Resident Mandos will really dig this.

Something I've never seen before.

[kewlkev360]

As the resident Mando Jedi, i think you should give me this saber as tribute once it is completed.   


I personally think that the overall design should be more simple rather than ornate.  Function over form as it were.

[srams]

Did you use Epoxy Putty? I've been wanting to try that stuff for saber details

[Darth Vapour]

Yes I used epoxy putty, magic sculpt to be specific. Without a lathe it's one of the few options to truly customize the shape of a saber. It's very easy to use, and can be worked with wood tools which I do have.

[srams]

Ah cool! But is it brittle? It seems like if the fang things got wacked with a saber they'd break.

[Manroon]

NICE! I would suggest also cutting some thin lines to let just a tiny bit of accent light through along the teeth and maybe under/along the tusks as well. It would compliment the eye glow, and well, glowing teeth would just be sick. lol I also think relatively simple for the overall hilt is best, something utilitarian and functional, but painted for personal tastes of the mando using it, and perhaps aside from the skull one out of the way trophy. Like a Boba's braided wookie pelts. No offense to our resident wook (I do love the wookies!) but that might be a cool touch to have tied to the hilt around the pommel or beneath the emitter. Plus if they're dangling and flipping around in a fight, you don't have to worry about the soft braid hurting you or damaging the hilt at all.

[Darth Vapour]

Sramas, it does go very hard - like stone. I guess though with that sort of rigidity it may crack with a hard blow. I am not game to test it at this point. I have seen that some modellers use a wire core, if I did that if it did crack it wouldn't fall apart. I am already thinking of the next design - an earthy one using wood, and mayber the epoxy clay for vines etc - sometimes I have too much going on in my head at once.

Manroon, great minds think alike - I have already cut out the eyes, and the lines around the teeth  I must say the idea about a trophy is brilliant! I have also just downloaded mandalorian font and printed a Mando'a proverb on a clear avery label, probably will run it down the hilt but nothing confirmed yet. I have put a primer on the emitter and will hopefully get a chance to start painting it soon.

[Zurth]

The Mandalorians, much like the Wookiee's are an honourable people. Trophy's are among their greatest prizes. I remember playing KotOR I & II and feeling a great sense of honour when dealing with them. Taking prizes of their defeated enemies. Your saber should represent the honourable time of the Great Sith War, and not the late era's like the Clone Wars.

I suggest reading up on the Mandalorian page on Wookieepedia if you need inspiration on your saber.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mandalorian

[Manroon]

Thanks on the Trophy idea compliment. lol I've not really put trophies on my sabers, but if you search for the thread on my saber Toepick.... you'll see I went absolutely wild with momentos on that one. They are a great personal touch to a saber!

Man, I can't wait to see pics of that skull lit up! That thing will be so SICK!

[CZ3RO]

The colour combo you've chosen sounds perfect - can't wait to see the finished product!

[Araquay]

I'm a fan of Mandalorian culture. I look forward to seeing this project progress. I agree with others, simplicity in the hilt will fit very well. Maybe straight grooves in the hilt arranged to resemble the plates of the mando chest armor? That would provide function and form.

[Darth Mortis]

can you post a link to the epoxy putty you used? I got some today to test out making a bone saber and I don't think the type my hardware store had is what I need.

[Remy Lost]

  FIMO is the most popular brand of polymer clay.  I get it from the local walmart as it is cheaper there than at craft stores like Micheals.  You bake it to harden with no heat related growth or shrinkage.  They sell these little 2oz packs of colored one or a larger 1lb block of a neutral color.  It takes paint well.  It is easy to sculpt and looks great.  I've used it for many costume projects over the years.   Not sure if this is helpful compared to the epoxy stuff as I've never used that kind myself. 

[Darth Vapour]

I used Magicsculpt, no need to bake. Cost me about $30, but it goes a long way. Have 2/3 left and used it on 3 sabers so far.
I have done some painting and will post pics when i get home from work