ideas for retractable claws (blades) ?

[glitterbomb]

I've been trying to finish the planning for a costume to see if it's possible to make, but certain details are problematic to create in reality. I searched and couldn't find anything, so I was hoping someone here might have some ideas. This is from a book, so there is no photo or film reference.

The character is described as having blades under each fingernail that retract and extend, like a cat's claws:

There's no explanation as to how this works, whether the blades are part of the finger bones, embedded well beneath the surface; or simply sandwiched between the fingernail and nail bed. Just that the blades are seemingly housed under what appear to be false fingernails -- they could be real fingernails that have been altered, or some kind of prosthetic fingernails that house the blade mechanism. It's hinted that the blades may work with some kind of other body modification, like electronic implants or neural enhancement, which offers some creative liberties for how it could be implemented in a costume.
​

I've been trying to figure out how to execute this and coming up blank. I was hoping those with some experience in creating moving parts, steampunk gadgets, or weapons might have some insight. Some parameters below.

• Extending and retracting from the fingernails indicates the size of the blades, so that's a start. These are small, probably scalpel or small Xacto blade size. I'd of course create fake ones, as I have no interest in accidentally slicing up someone or something.
• I'm assuming the blades would have to lie flat against the nail bed, extending so the blade edge faces the side of the finger, as opposed to extending blade-down like actual claws. But I'm open to either method.
• I figured the obvious place to start was to look at using those fake glue-on nails as a cover, attaching the blades underneath them. The nails could then be spray-painted chrome or metallic.
• I'd prefer to find a solution without gloves, but utilizing gloves or some kind of exoskeleton frame that fits over the fingers/hand is ok.
• A manual on/off switch is fine, preferably a single switch for all 5 fingers. The mechanism doesn't need to be automatic (controlled by muscle or finger flexing), though that would be cool.
• Battery packs, arduino boards, etc. are fine as I could probably find some place to conceal them in the wrists or sleeves of the costume (maybe inside gloves).
• I'd like to keep the end result as slim and minimal as possible, as opposed to a big mech hand or Wolverine claws.

Thanks! and feel free to point me to any links or resources that might cover this. Worst case, I could just make pointy, claw-like glue-on nails. But I'd like to find a way to conquer the issue.

 

[MorbidCharlie]

Steppin' Razor?

 

[Nightfall]

Short of surgery I doubt if there's any way you could do this without a glove of some sort. Honestly the glue on pointy nails will probably be your best bet if gloves are simply not an option.

 

[glitterbomb]

@ MorbidCharlie - exactly.

@ Nightfall - well as I said, I'm open to doing it with a glove or some kind of frame that fits over the fingers like the Delfina Delettrez Fendi piece shown here and here. There will need to be some deviation for the sake of reality, but I'd really like to find some way to make the blades retractable in honor of the character.

 

[glitterbomb]

bump. any thoughts on how to approach this?

 

[epilepticsquirl]

sounds a lot like Lady Deathstrike from the X-Men comics. Wonder how they did it for the movie, maybe a full glove like others have said?

 

[epilepticsquirl]

looks promising...

a quick google search yields that home-made version. It almost looks like she glued them to her fingers. Oh my!

and the source with tons of more reference.
http://yayahan.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=168

hope it offers a different view on how to do them.

 

[Hobo Wan Kenobi]

If the tips of them had some weight to them you could probably flick them open like a batton

 

[darthgordon]

A really out there idea... but what about spring loading them like a retractable pen.

Please, forgive the crudity of this drawing... I'm not at my computer.

Now of course, for it to remain stable enough to press the button enough, it would probably have to run all the way down the hand. It would also require constructing a device that functions like the retractable pen, but look more like the nails you are looking for...

Just thought I'd throw it out there. The batton idea is far more feasible and easily done.

 

[Harmonic_Distortion]

Having been part of a team that accomplished extending and retracting Wolverine claws, I can tell you you might want to decide if you REALLY REALLY need the claws to be "automatic" or daotf (double action out the front)...i.e. extending AND retracting.


Video of my fully extending and retracting wolverine claws

That set up was QUITE big...required a custom-made motorcycle battery...custom fittings to be machined...etc etc you get the picture. Doing this SMALL makes it even that much tougher. The button can be small, but the smaller you make it, the more chance of accidental firing...which is a real concern. If you do end up using

I'd say the best way to do what you're attempting would be to mold silicone fingers (not a whole glove) or latex...that have a pocket for the claws that you can snap out with gravity and push back in by hand.

If this is for a fan film...you could always have the nails hooked to a thin line (disguised of course with silicone or latex) that some other person pulled and pushed from off frame. Just a thought.

Have you been to the xiphoid forum?
XIPHOID DESIGN - XIPHOID=Wrist/Forearm Blade Weapons
Lots of great discussion and information over there. Join up and then read up.

Everyone always considers the switchblade mechanicism really easy...until you play with it for a bit. The guys on that forum can explain more.

Good luck!~

 

[glitterbomb]

great suggestions! thanks to all. I've never created anything like this, so I'm in totally new territory here. I'm leaning toward doing only one hand with the extend/retract action and the other hand just for show, to make it easier to actually use my fingers throughout the day. So that may help in that I'd only have to construct a working set for one hand.

epilepticsquirl, I'll look into Lady Deathstrike. I had been considering wrapping the blade nails around both sides of the fingers to be more cat claw-like (like shown there), so that's helpful.

Hobo Wan Kenobi and darthgordon, those are great ideas. I'll mess around with both. thanks for the sketch, the retractable pen action is a neat approach.

Harmonic_Distortion, great point about the double action. I'll re-evaluate that as I play around. and thanks so much for those links, very helpful. I hadn't heard of the xiphoid forum before, I'll check that out (edit: SUPER helpful. thanks). oh, and this is just for a cosplay costume, not a film. which makes it a bit harder in some ways because it means the rig has to be sturdy enough to withstand many hours of use and abuse, and I can't use camera tricks to make it work.

 

[Harmonic_Distortion]

No worries. If it's cosplay, I'd consider the gravity + skin sheeth option. Keep us updated.

 

[glitterbomb]

will do. though this is probably going to be one of those background projects that takes me the next year or two to complete, due to the complexity and expense of materials needed. so updates may be slow coming.