Ghoul Hunter Body Armor: Design-N-Build

[ptgreek]

it will make it stronger if mixed ..you dont need much..we use it for filler in both latex and when hot kicking a silicone mold. You can also mix it with prosaide to create a sort of latex bondo ..great when filling seam gaps ..just spatula it in to the filled area..then wipe it with a damp sponge. you can also use moleskin to back to your latex parts..it will increase the strength..just use Barge cement or weldwood to lay the moleskin down as a backer ..saves time and product

 

[Uratz]

it will make it stronger if mixed ..you dont need much..we use it for filler in both latex and when hot kicking a silicone mold. You can also mix it with prosaide to create a sort of latex bondo ..great when filling seam gaps ..just spatula it in to the filled area..then wipe it with a damp sponge. you can also use moleskin to back to your latex parts..it will increase the strength..just use Barge cement or weldwood to lay the moleskin down as a backer ..saves time and product

Thanks for the tips I'll see if I can find all this stuff.
Its not easy being in China. All the chemicals take on a different name. Took me a long time and a lot of Luck just to find latex

 

[Uratz]

Ghoul Hunter's Chest Armor

As for now I designed a Chest Armor that I'm pretty happy with. Whether I should make it symmetrical or asymmetrical I haven't decided yet. I do have plenty of sketches of alternate designs. If I make it an asymmetrical design I get to do 2 designs that solve some problems like not having to match up both designs and get the fun of doing different designs.

Then the 2 Alien Tail Swords will go on the back of these things.

I'll post up the alternates later...

 

[xdmray]

oh man, i was hoping for a one piece back so that i could use the chest plate i got from you already.

 

[Uratz]

oh man, i was hoping for a one piece back so that i could use the chest plate i got from you already.

Oh Don't get me started. Its just gonna drive me crazy with the options. For now I'm just thinking to do AVP style chest pieces that you can
just mount on the back. I could design another back plate like Wolf with 2 flat areas to attach the double sheath and swords (this way saves more silicone and simplifies it actually).

Anyway there's still time to play around with the design. I will work on it this week.


Here are the variants of the AVP style chest armor. Let me know which you guys like or hate.

 

[Uratz]

P2 Style Ghoul Armor

This is more asymmetrical in design with 2 separate chest pieces and Collar Ring. This design incorporates the previous chest piece that I made
The collar ring is optional so I'll be making the chest pieces first after the Alien Tail Swords and sheath.

Hope ya likes.

OK Done with drawing time to get sculpting!

 

[xdmray]

nice mike, i like these better. (asymmetrical chest pieces)

i always did like that neck ring as well.

in Daman's perfect world wishlist- i would have the back pieces only and the neck separate, then i would put it with the chest piece that you already made.

but dont let me sway you....... wink. maybe..... um......

what are you thinking for length on those swords? i think a short sword length would be great.

oh and i want a pony for christmas.....

sorry for sounding so whiny

 

[Uratz]

nice mike, i like these better. (asymmetrical chest pieces)
i always did like that neck ring as well.
in Daman's perfect world wishlist- i would have the back pieces only and the neck separate, then i would put it with the chest piece that you already made.
but dont let me sway you....... wink. maybe..... um......
what are you thinking for length on those swords? i think a short sword length would be great.
oh and i want a pony for christmas.....
sorry for sounding so whiny

OK Daman. I think I know what you want.
You want something like Wolf's back pack like a flat piece of plate that you can mount the swords to.

The only problem I worry about is the weight of everything whether the velcro and straps can hold it in place. I don't want it to slide down backwards.
This back plate is easier to make than those AVP chest pieces though. I think another drawing - final one is on the way.
I'll have to see everything in front of me then we'll decide which is the design to go with.
In terms of cost and ease of production Wolf style backpack would be the winner.

 

[Uratz]

Ghoul Hunter Wolf Style back pack

I think I may end up making this design. The other chest back pack are all nice but would be costly to make.
At this point I don't know whats good or not anymore. Sometimes I draw and draw without thinking whether the design is even functional.
I just get lost in the work. That's why we have Art Directors Its been a busy day...

I wanna Thank XdmRay for the ideas. Its a collaborative process.
Feel free to comment

 

[xdmray]

that's exactly what i was thinking! now where's that damn pony!!
nice job mike.

 

[Uratz]

that's exactly what i was thinking! now where's that damn pony!!
nice job mike.

Here's your Pony The dog is a bonus.

 

[xdmray]

you actually made me LOL.

 

[xdmray]

hey mike, the sword sheaths will be something separate you would add on to the back plate right? i was thinking it would be cool to mount them upside down, the handles towards the ground. would be easier to pull out with all them dreads.

 

[Uratz]

hey mike, the sword sheaths will be something separate you would add on to the back plate right? i was thinking it would be cool to mount them upside down, the handles towards the ground. would be easier to pull out with all them dreads.

Well the original idea was to make them right side up. What I will do is make the attachment of the sheath to the backpack so that u can flip them upside down or right side up.
With the weight of the swords I'm just afraid it will fall down. I still haven't test out and idea to make lightweight castings of the swords and no way they will be solid resin.
The casting cost and final weight would be too much.

I'm confident that having the swords right side up will work cuz its the only thing sticking up and its all about how you tie up the dreads. Will be doing costume tests on this once
they are all done.

Here are some Pics of the Ghoul Sword and backpack templates WIP:
I printed them out to size to see if it works. Most important is the hand glove I put in the middle pic for comparison.
I printed 3 sizes and the middle one 26inches (65cm) seem to be the right size.

Some Latex Straps I made out of Elastic straps dipped into the mold with the liquid latex. The elastic is trapped in between the latex and provides strength and little bit of stretch without fear of tearing and breaking.

The claymore strap is made from latex as well and painted with acrylics to look like leather. I added little snaps on it for easy removal of the claymores even though I won't be taking them out during cosplay. Anyway adds a bit of realistic practical touch to them

 

[xdmray]

right on mike!!!!! ooh exciting! cant wait to see those sculpts. really nice work on the claymore straps. those look great.

i think i could figure out a way to lock the swords into the sheath but still have them able to come out, if they hung upside down.

 

[kwalsh0000]

Love the idea for the swords and backpack! Cant wait to see how they turn out. Fair play to you posting up all the steps and design process of everything, its amazing to see it go from idea to art and then to your piece. Great work man

 

[Uratz]

Glad u enjoyed the process. Yeah its a lot of work.
I didn't even put down the sculpting, mold making of the straps and claymore holders.
I'd figure its so simple so I just put the final castings. You get the idea.

 

[Uratz]

OK now that my calendar is clear of ******** I can go on and make the best armor I can.
I got a China Joy Convention in Shanghai end of July that I am aiming to dress up in full Predator Gear.
Its gonna be hot so not sure I will survive but at least gonna bust my ass to finish building it by July.

Here's my build list for Ghoul Hunter:

Definitely Gonna Build-
1 Boot - Calf gauntlet (Resin Casting)
1 Arm Gauntlet with Tri-spikes (Not decided-Latex or Resin)
1 Alien Tail Sword - Resin
1 Sword Sheath for Sword - Resin
1 Back Pack Armor (resin) with Latex Straps*
*Latex straps are impregnated with Elastic strap for strength
1 Thigh Guard Armor with Latex coated Elastic Straps
1 Latex Belt for mounting Thigh Armor and Cod Piece, etc

Maybe-
Cod Piece - Resin or Latex FBG resin backed hybrid
Buttflap - Resin or Latex FBG resin backed hybrid
1 Alternate Gauntlet option with Blade, computer, bomb etc.
*Possible with EL light function
1 Leg Shin Guard - Bone Like texture

 

[xdmray]

yay for no ********! hooray for more sculpts!

 

[Uratz]

Before I work on the Back Pack and swords I want to finish the leg armor first
Just started working on Ghoul Hunters Calf Gauntlet. This one will be in Resin fbg. It will be worn over the latex boots.