Luke ESB saber (for trooping)

[ob1al]

Just wanted to share a couple of pics of a saber I just finished building.

I have the MR version of this saber for display but wanted a 'knockaround' version for trooping; I used a Parks Graflex to shell, Bizkit bottom shell (I think), Graflex Clamp and clamp lever, TFX studios grips, tape and d-ring and parks (I think( red buttons. I riveted the grips and d-ring bracket on for stability.

Here it is:

I went with the textured tape look on this one just for a change - I like the way the tape looks, kind of like the Anakin saber in ROTS.

Al

 

[Gregatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ob1al @ Mar 12 2007, 12:14 PM) [snapback]1438294[/snapback]</div>

Just wanted to share a couple of pics of a saber I just finished building.

I have the MR version of this saber for display but wanted a 'knockaround' version for trooping; I used a Parks Graflex to shell, Bizkit bottom shell (I think), Graflex Clamp and clamp lever, TFX studios grips, tape and d-ring and parks (I think( red buttons. I riveted the grips and d-ring bracket on for stability.




I went with the textured tape look on this one just for a change - I like the way the tape looks, kind of like the Anakin saber in ROTS.

Al
[/b]

Looks good. Nice job.

Funny that the textured tape never appeared on a screen-used prop in the film proper (at least not as far as I can tell), yet the ROTS version includes the texturing. If the "Dagobah" and "Ranch" sabers are indeed one and the same, then the tape must've been added after filming (maybe the 1/2" smooth tape fell off after being underwater in the Dagobah scenes, and was replaced with the 1" tape).

 

[propstuf]

I suspect that the ROTS Anakin was based on the Ranch ESB Skywalker, which would explain the band "texture." I, for one, always thought the ESB looked best with the textured tape. Gives it character that the smooth tape just hasn't got. Nice 'saber.

 

[firebladejedi]

Nice saber. I have an esb kit on the way to convert my repro graflex and have been wondering whether to use the tape or not. After seeing your pics, i think im going to :thumbsup

 

[Gregatron]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(propstuf @ Mar 12 2007, 01:53 PM) [snapback]1438377[/snapback]</div>

I suspect that the ROTS Anakin was based on the Ranch ESB Skywalker, which would explain the band "texture." I, for one, always thought the ESB looked best with the textured tape. Gives it character that the smooth tape just hasn't got. Nice 'saber.
[/b]

The ROTS absolutely was based on the Ranch saber. It was the only surviving prop they had for reference. Both versions have the texture, six grips, and circuit boards (well, a custom board in the ROTS) in the control boxes.

I personally prefer the smooth tape, but I do like the look of the texture on the ROTS version.