Tenel Ka Lightsaber... need advice!

[flurrsprite]

Hey guys!

I'm new to the forum and UltraSabers Tried searching around and poking through the forum but I haven't quite seen anything similar to my topic. Hopefully this is the right section to post in!

I am wanting to make a Tenel Ka costume for Halloween and would love to actually have a working lightsaber with a blade... I've made lightsaber hilts in the past but it's not quite the same!

I figured I could just buy a Grab Bag Saber and then add Sculpey or modeling clay on top to create the tooth hilt, but I don't really know much about the construction and electronics involved in the sabers, so I'm worried that adding layers to the hilt will cause it to overheat or something like that.

Does anyone know if that's something I should be concerned about? Or would it be fine? And do you think the Grab Bag idea the way to go?

Thanks in advance!

[Manroon]

There is a member here who used what I think was some sort of epoxy to create a faux bone handle over the lower part of his Bellicose. The result was PHENOMENAL. I wish I could remember his exact technique, as it would be perfect for you. I'm not sure how a fully covered hilt would be affected by heat though....

As far as going Grab Bag for this.... I wouldn't. Depending if you want sound or not, I would say go for an Aeon V2 (no sound) or perhaps..... (if you want sound) an Aeon V3 with a Catalyst Pommel. Either of those would provide you with a nice profile for building up, hopefully without having to end out with an overly thick hilt once you do the tooth covering. Then go with a CG Led, and if sound, a red or non illuminated AV switch.

I would lean towards the Aeon V3, as the emitter will match and the Cat pommel will give you a way to mimic the tooth shape. Bare in mind also that you will have to leave a small seam around the pommel so you can get it off and get to the batteries. A bit of leather might be a good cover up for that though.


Lastly, major props for setting out on a Tenel Ka build. Tenel Ka is awesome. This is a fact. 

[Master Nero Attoru]

You also get major props from me - being a big Jacen Solo fan, I'm also a fan of Tenel Ka.  Not to mention her lightsaber hilt is both awesome and unique, so this is a good pick.

My suggestion is to get an Initiate V2 in Sunriders Destiny.  The small hilt gives you room to build outwards, possibly with some modeling clay like you said.  The hilts themselves don't really radiate heat, so you should be fine doing that (people wrap their hilts with stuff all the time and it seems to work just fine).

[flurrsprite]

Manroon & Nero Attoru:

Thanks guys!

I'm going to take a look at the Initiate vs Aeon models, they both look fairly similar. The Initiate's size might be easier to work with but the Catalyst Pommel does look like it would help support the point of the tooth pretty well. And of course now I want a saber with sound... man! Not entirely in the tentative budget I had set, but... early Christmas present to myself, maybe? Haha!

I think I'll try out some carvings or something on the hilt for the area where the pommel comes off, could be neat

And thanks guys! I'm a fan of Tenel Ka and I've always wanted her lightsaber haha, so I'm pretty excited about this! I'll definitely post pictures

[Master Nero Attoru]

Manroon & Nero Attoru:

Thanks guys!

I'm going to take a look at the Initiate vs Aeon models, they both look fairly similar. The Initiate's size might be easier to work with but the Catalyst Pommel does look like it would help support the point of the tooth pretty well. And of course now I want a saber with sound... man! Not entirely in the tentative budget I had set, but... early Christmas present to myself, maybe? Haha!

I think I'll try out some carvings or something on the hilt for the area where the pommel comes off, could be neat

And thanks guys! I'm a fan of Tenel Ka and I've always wanted her lightsaber haha, so I'm pretty excited about this! I'll definitely post pictures

Excellent, we're looking forward to seeing them!

What's cool is that Sunriders Destiny is such a perfect pick for her saber.  It basically fits this perfectly:



That even kinda looks like an Initiate or Aeon emitter under there...

[Ninja-Jedi]

magic sculpt i know alot of people use cause it can be sculpted, sanded, drill and tapped and is supposed to be damage resistant but
I have not used so i couldnt say for sure

[Manroon]

Looking at Nero's pic, I would say an Initiate V3 would be great, with the Cat Pommel of course , and then shoot the guys an email and see if perhaps they could sell you (or even install as well if you're real lucky) a Bronze Button and bezzel like the one available on the Bellicose. It would be a near perfect match for that upper button.

[CrazyJoeMalloy]

No advice to add - just wanna say that I'm very much looking forward to seeing the finished product.  That is going to look bad ass!

[flurrsprite]

Totally, Nero! That's the picture I'm using as inspiration for mine I'm glad it's going to work! Now, the costume... that might be more complicated haha!


Ooh thank you for the suggestion, Ninja-Jedi. I've used Green Stuff in the past but not really in large quantities so I may need to find some other kind of sculpting clay and experiment. Magic Sculp looks like it could work! Looks like there's a store near me that carries it, will need to check it out.


Manroon, I agree, I think the Initiate may be the way to go. I also just pulled out my ruler and while a massive 14" tooth saber would be pretty awesome, my hands are more on the dainty size and I think the smaller Initiate will work better haha! I'll definitely get the Cat Pommel though, and probably get it with the Li-Ion set up because while I don't think I'm going to be able to get it with sound (sad!), I would like to it prepped for whenever I can send it back in to get the sound added I do think I'll probably just run out to Home Depot (or even Michael's, if I want something pretty) for the button, should be fine. They have random little pieces that almost look like they belong on a saber. Here's an old non-functional lightsaber I made back in the day using random plumbing pieces and a bit o' Green Stuff (yeahhh, I maybe got too lazy to paint it metallic):




So we'll see what I can come up with.


Thanks, CrazyJoeMalloy! I hope so! Just gotta make sure the rest of my outfit is equally badass hahaha.


Thanks for your help everyone! I'm looking forward to making this! Quick question, does anyone have any preferences regarding Sun Rider's Destiny in either regular midgrade or UltraEdge? Don't really need Heavy Grade but not sure if I should go with regular or Ultra for the blade

[Master Bluespike74]

I would personally go with the regular over the Ultra.

[Manroon]

My sig shows SRD in a Mid Grade Regular Blade, which is what I'd recommend for the color, or a Regular Heavy Grade if you should decide you want to duel heavily with it. On that note, the color is actually a little greener than what's in my sig. lol It's really a perfect match for the reference photo Nero posted.

Dang, you are gonna have such a sick saber when you finish this!

[Master Bluespike74]

This is the best pic of SRD that I have.

[flurrsprite]

Ooooh they look awesome Manroon & bluespike! I'll stick with regular for the blade! Thanks!

[flurrsprite]

Aaaand... ordered! Whee!

[Kolthrax]

This will be awesome. Maybe you could try using some Sculpey. It's a polymer clay thats sold at most craft stores/hobby shops. You could easily mold it around a saber hilt,sculpt it to your liking, then use a heat gun to set it.  Sculpey is very strong, can be easliy sanded and very paint friendly.  Whatever you end up using, i'd suggest sculpting it in at least two parts so you can still unscrew the pommel and get to the guts.