First Build: Far Cry 3 Ancient Chinese Dagger

[Tion]

Hello forum people,
I’ve collected Props for a while, and now want to attempt a scratch build. The prop in question is from Far Cry 3, the Ancient Chinese blade.

I’ve collected as many reference photos as I can, a friend has drawn It on a tablet so I now have something to go from in rough scale.

I know some PC games have a 3D model viewer, is this common? Is far cry likely to have it? This would be great reference material if possible. My main issue though, is what material to build it from. My initial thoughts were to build a simple version in wood then adding detail with putty on top… ? But I am not sure how well the putty would adhere to the wood or if it would show seem lines.

Cany anyone help me with what material i should start with? any help will be very much appreciated.

 

[madmanmoe64]

Re: First Build:

Wood is probably a good place to start. It's easy enough to cut a 2D plate out of a sheet of mdf.

I also prefer to work with putty (I use milliput) for these type of organic details. You can sculpt the basic shape, and it will blend really well with other materials, then you can use an engraver or hand tools to get fine details. (you can also carve it before it dries, but you can't get as sharp edges).

Basically what you've outlined, is exactly how I would do it, cut out a 2d plate from wood to start, you can always cut away chunks of it to be replaced by putty.

 

[SofaKing01]

Re: First Build:

FANTASTIC GAME! FANTASTIC PROP! Looking forward to seeing this build!

 

[Alan Castillo]

Re: First Build:

Exceedingly cool design :cool

Wood is probably a good place to start. It's easy enough to cut a 2D plate out of a sheet of mdf.

I also prefer to work with putty (I use milliput) for these type of organic details. You can sculpt the basic shape, and it will blend really well with other materials, then you can use an engraver or hand tools to get fine details. (you can also carve it before it dries, but you can't get as sharp edges).

Basically what you've outlined, is exactly how I would do it, cut out a 2d plate from wood to start, you can always cut away chunks of it to be replaced by putty.

I second this opinion :thumbsup

 

[mtpalin]

Re: First Build:

It's just a thought , but how about approaching it in sections? Do the handle from wood, then the blade from something like styrene, and add the tail detail on to the blade as a separate piece.

 

[FordPrefect]

Re: First Build:

Good luck with the build this looks like a great piece ! Remember if you get frustrated with something come back to RPF and search tons of answers just waiting to be read.

 

[Tion]

Re: First Build: Far Cry 3 Ancient Chinese Knife

Thank you for your replies and words of encouragement!

Sorry i haven't responded sooner.

I have no idea why my title doesnt have more info in it! It was supposed to be "First Build: Far Cry 3 Ancient Chinese Knife" is there any way to modify this?

Thanks for the advice AlexKrychk, i do love the encouragement and advice willing to be given on this forum, very refreshing.

Hello madmanmoe64 its an idea i like, my only worry is how far my ability with putty takes me!

Hi mtpalin, i have been thinking of building it in sections, i think each part could be tackled in a thicker 3D form and add the detail with milliput on top, i have a friend helping me and i think theres is no reason why i cant go down both avenues of thought.



I have a couple of questions.

Does anyone know if the PC version of the game has the 3D models that can be viewed in a 3D modeller? I'm sure i'll do fine with what images i have but it would be nice to know.

And finally, i know its a bit down the road but i would like to try casting the end product. Would milliput be suitable for making castings? or would i need to add a 'sealant' on top for that? Just curious.


Tim.

 

[Alan Castillo]

Re: First Build: Far Cry 3 Ancient Chinese Knife

I have no idea why my title doesnt have more info in it! It was supposed to be "First Build: Far Cry 3 Ancient Chinese Knife" is there any way to modify this?

Go to your first Post. Click Edit. Go Advanced. Change Title. Save changes.

Voila :thumbsup

 

[Svelbjorn]

Re: First Build:

Looks like a fun, detail filled first build! Good luck, and keep posting updates!

 

[Maaso]

Re: First Build:

I think your scale is a bit off, this "promotional" item they gave away was pretty big. The Citra note is about the same size as a regular piece of notebook paper. I'm not good with scale, but I'm guessing the dagger about 15~16 inches long.

 

[Tion]

Hi Maaso,

I think you're dead right.

At first i thought it couldnt be longer than 13" but after doing some crude calculations on the scale i think it is no shorter than 14.75" and no longer than 16", so im thinking around 15"-15.5" what ever feels nice after i create some templates.

 

[Tion]

A tiny update, a move from digital to the real world i have a template ready for using with wood.

I have tweaked the the scale and certain details from the 'master' drawing to make it more accurate. When i can i'll get the coping saw out and cut the 2D blank out of wood, get some milliput and start the puttying process.

I am curious, are there any specific tools anyone can recommend for sculpting 'wet' putty and carving it when it has hardened?

 

[Tion]

A little more to mention, got the templates drawn out onto a sheet of wood. I drew out two sizes of dagger to work with.

Cut out the larger the other day, sanded it down, refined the shape some more. The tip of blade was a bit delicate and had blunted a bit so I have dipped it in glue for the time being, I added some bulk to the handle to save on putty, will be adding more bulk to it tomorrow as well as cutting the holes. With any luck i can start puttying this thing soon!

I also cut out the smaller dagger today, now wondering which is the best size, i will continue with the larger and see where it takes me.

 

[lovelyandy]

old post but Im just starting one of these, thinking about doing it out of sculpey if possible. add it to my list of a million other projects

 

[division 6]

Sculpy needs to be baked and if left on styrene it will dissolve it.
I'd suggest an epoxy putty like Magic Sculpt, Aves and Plumbers putty.

 

[lovelyandy]

made the top half of the blade, sculpey flat on foil then baked it, gonna wait and see it it's good enough i'll do the other side. might be too thin right now and the blade not strong enough.

 

[falloutnvmaster]

This is gonna be great once it's done

 

[lovelyandy]

My progress has been decent for a few days work. Got both sides of the blade and the handle made out of sculpey, reinforced the tip with milliput and tomorrow i'll do some sanding amd attach them together.

Will be painting it up before i think about casting to see if it looks ok enough.

Dont like posting pics until i get things finished (or close too)

 

[FLAKOE123]

Wow great work! looking good so far. Can't wait to see this finished.