John Constantine's Lighter (TV Version)

[mfgreth]

Hello everyone, this is my first thread.
Here I will be documenting the process in which I hope to have accurately recreated John Constantine's lighter from the short-lived TV series based on Hellblazer, Constantine. The lighter was designed by Dave Blass of Blackhawk Design, and seems to draw a bit of inspiration from the movie version with Keanu Reeves.
I decided I'd like to do this as my first replica prop because of how criminally underrated the TV series was.
After the premiere of Arrow 4x05 - "Haunted" - in which John Constantine guest stars, I decided to shoot Dave a tweet asking about design details of the lighter. He sent me this back:



The image certainly gives me a good idea of the details of the lighter, though it doesn't reveal the text in the background of the overall design, which is a bit hard to make out. I'll probably just zoom in to the image in Photoshop and try to read as best as possible. While in Photoshop I'll also try and 're-create' each side of the lighter as a stencil.

Zippo lighters are easily dis-assembled, thankfully, so the only real work to be done is on the casing. I'm sure I can get a zippo shell in the brass-gold color, so the only two real steps in this case are applying the stencil I design and aging.

I figure electrochemical stenciling will probably be the best way to go. I will update when I have more substance worth posting!

 

[Switters]

The camera on my phone is crap, but here are some pics of a replica I just received today, it's 100% screen-accurate and absolutely gorgeous in person. It's also worth noting that the images in the photo you have are reversed in their placement of the hinges. If you want to buy a replica info can be found here: http://www.thepropsmith.com/blog/where-to-get-a-john-constantine-tv-lighter

 

[Tmsray2954]

Mine after a bit of Buff n Rub, David Blass's recommendation.

 

[Switters]

Mine after a bit of Buff n Rub, David Blass's recommendation.
http://s15.postimg.org/h3qp0yulz/IMG_20151111_181653.jpghttp://s15.postimg.org/h3qp0yulz/IMG_20151111_181653.jpg

Can I ask what you used and how you went about it?

 

[Tmsray2954]

It's a colored polishing compound called "Rub n Buff" they sell it online and at most craft stores. I just put a little on a rag rubbed it in, then buffed it lol

 

[ELeatherDesign2]

I definitely like that version more than the movie version. Wish I could afford one.

 

[lilygale]

does anyone have actual screen shots of that one cuz what iv found its a brushed metal ace of spades zippo


sorry if I'm intruding loved the show and looking for what all he carried to collect and possibly cosplay

 

[John]

The camera on my phone is crap, but here are some pics of a replica I just received today, it's 100% screen-accurate and absolutely gorgeous in person. It's also worth noting that the images in the photo you have are reversed in their placement of the hinges. If you want to buy a replica info can be found here: http://www.thepropsmith.com/blog/where-to-get-a-john-constantine-tv-lighter

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Cool, can you sell me?

 

[theflightyellz]

Could you try taking a rubbing from this?
If we could get a blacked out rubbing (paper over the top, go over it with wax) could try and vector out all of the inscriptions - from there anyone could use it to get an engraving on a zippo at their own discresion.

 

[Switters]

Which color Buff n Rub did you use?