'Heroes' Prop ID --- Hiro's Samurai Sword

[KidL]

So I just recently got into the show 'Heroes' and am really enjoying it. Needless to say, now I'm on a hunt to add a few props from the show to my collection. I've already seen muttley's thread for his 9th Wonders comic covers, but was wondering if anything else is currently available or in the works (didn't find anything through 'search').

But the one prop I'd REALLY like to obtain is Hiro's samurai sword (which he apparently finds during the next episode). The 'S' symbol is obviously custom made, but does anyone recognize the base sword/grip? And I could be wrong, but it almost seems like the same 'S' prop on the handle was also used for the Haitian's necklace.

A few more images are available on the official site:

http://www.herosite.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=16

 

[KidL]

Bump since the episode aired last night.

 

[rabbit4x]

I saw the episode last night and thought that it would be a really good prop to make. Wouldn't be too hard to find a base sword or make the "S" shape. I will be trying to find some screencaps of the sword and the "replica" version from Linderman would be an interesting prop as well. A replica of a replica.

 

[starfighter66]

has anyone done the comic book cover with hero on it?

 

[Snoballz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(starfighter66 @ Jan 23 2007, 07:43 PM) [snapback]1403526[/snapback]</div>

has anyone done the comic book cover with hero on it?
[/b]

muttley did a run of the Hiro cover and has a few more in the works in the Junkyard. Awesome cover.

Back OT. I hope this show goes on long enough that we get to see more of Hiro's sword. I'd buy one.

 

[rabbit4x]

Here are some more pics of the sword, I've been checking various sword sites but no luck yet.

 

[Chingon]

The tsuba kind of reminds me of the ones seen on the Paul Chen practical plus, but I haven't seen a detailed enough pic to say for sure. Still, that could be a good place to start.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Chingon @ Jan 23 2007, 08:16 PM) [snapback]1403583[/snapback]</div>

The tsuba kind of reminds me of the ones seen on the Paul Chen practical plus, but I haven't seen a detailed enough pic to say for sure. Still, that could be a good place to start.

[/b]

I tend to agree. I think the tsuba is identical and the rest is a pretty good match too. Even the wrap on the scabbard is looking good on the Chen. I think they just rewrapped the grip to make room for the new "s" menuki. I just haven't seen one with black skin on the handle.

 

[GrenadeKing]

It's most likely just paint. I doubt the prop guys would go through the trouble of reskinning the thing...but I could be wrong.
It looks like they simply pulled off the grip material, painted the skin black, tacked on the S symbol and rewrapped it. Looks like they wrapped it halfway then ran the strips up the sides and wrapped it the rest of the way.
I agree though, the base sword is almost deffinantly a Paul Chen practical plus.

 

[bondoking]

so the next question is whos going to make the symbol for us?
christopher

 

[Mechamaniac]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bondoking @ Jan 24 2007, 06:26 AM) [snapback]1403762[/snapback]</div>

so the next question is whos going to make the symbol for us?
christopher
[/b]

Anyone with a dremel and about 5 minutes...

 

[DavidS]

This is most definantly a practical plus.......
it looks like the just laqured the same (ray skin) and underlying wood black and tacked the symbol thing on there.

I honestly have never wathced the show....... is this a comedy or something because these screen caps look hilarious....

BTW, this is a terrible prop....... modifying a existing produciton sword is one thing, but this is really pretty tacky because when you remove the tsuka ito (leather cord wrap) you are actually decreasing the structural integrity of that part of the handle...

 

[Mechamaniac]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Stokes @ Jan 24 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]1403843[/snapback]</div>

This is most definantly a practical plus.......
it looks like the just laqured the same (ray skin) and underlying wood black and tacked the symbol thing on there.

I honestly have never wathced the show....... is this a comedy or something because these screen caps look hilarious....

BTW, this is a terrible prop....... modifying a existing produciton sword is one thing, but this is really pretty tacky because when you remove the tsuka ito (leather cord wrap) you are actually decreasing the structural integrity of that part of the handle...
[/b]

Absolutely, which is why traditional menuki are wrapped under the tsuka ito. As a matter of fact the way that tsuka ito breaks in the middle, it would have no structural integrity at all.

 

[IronFist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Stokes @ Jan 24 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]1403843[/snapback]</div>

I honestly have never wathced the show....... is this a comedy or something because these screen caps look hilarious....
[/b]

No, not a comedy. But it does contain comedic elements, the majority of which come from the Hiro character.

 

[KidL]

In the interest of durability, would anybody be willing to do a run of the symbol maybe in machined aluminum or cast bronze?

 

[greatwazoo42]

It is a modded Paul Chen practical plus. Probably a gen 5. As soon as I saw the tsuba I knew it. I have one that I used to use for tatami mat cutting.

 

[neosporing]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(greatwazoo42 @ Jan 24 2007, 11:45 AM) [snapback]1404011[/snapback]</div>

It is a modded Paul Chen practical plus. Probably a gen 5. As soon as I saw the tsuba I knew it. I have one that I used to use for tatami mat cutting. [/b]

yes definitely a Chen PPK same tsuba, fuchi and kashira. I've got one as well for cutting. As much as i love the show, I'm not about to destroy my PPK with that 'Takezo design' ... you'd think they'd come up with something that looks like it didn't take 5 minutes with a dremel and a can of black paint.

Why they would do that to the maki and not re-wrap it is beyond me. too bad.

i dunno, perhaps after we see it in action, i'll change my mind... hope hero is taking kendo lessons... the last thing i want to see is him twirling the katana like a nitwit (a la highlander/ ewan mcgregor)

 

[Mechamaniac]

Interestingly enough for anyone who may speak a skoshi of Japanese....Kensei means "sword saint". Knew my old Oriental Adventures D&D book would come in handy someday, except that they called it kensai.

And yeah, the more I look at that sword, the more it seems a crime that they modified it so.

 

[KidL]

I noticed the other night that Hiro's messenger-bag has the same logo as one I recently received as a gift. A quick search revealed:

J.FOLD (company that makes the bag) - http://www.jfold.com/cgi-bin/cart/agora.cg...p;ppinc=search2

I also noticed that the velcro strips were removed from the actual prop (most likely to eliminate the sound they make).

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Jeez fellas, it's only a $250 sword. I think they wanted they symbol to be prominent and not worry so much about the functionality of the sword.

Plus most people have no idea what they are looking at. My son went as a samurai in full armor for halloween and we kept getting "what a cool gladiator" comments all night.