Luke ROTJ V2 lightsaber

[Verity Cosplay]

Thanks for extra info. I'm sure I'm not unique in having to have this sort of stuff explained. It's not like anything I've personally ever encountered before & hence is bewildering. So often even asking for this sort of explanation results in the dreaded silence - itself something that is never explained. Thanks again.

You bet! I just know this happens. I happen to have a friend in the costuming department that worked on the HBO Game of Thrones series and man oh man did they share some funny stories. And that WAS a show where they had a rare amount of forethought and attention to detail in the art department.

 

[CT1138]

I’m curious what it is out of curiosity sake but honestly if I never found out what it actually is I don’t really care. The only V2 I own is the MR and I’ll never buy a newer, more accurate version of the saber. I’d probably replace the screw with an accurate replica of the ‘chunk’ if it was cheap but I’m good with the screw. I’ve never been overly fascinated with the ROTJ Luke saber, I’m more a Graflex guy.

For all the years I’ve been on this forum, I was the same way. Then one day, earlier this year, I got bit by the V2 bug... now I own two. It’ll get you one day.

I'm always curious because I, as Dewy says, get bit by the V2 bug every now and then. I've nowhere to display it, but I like how it looks, and want a V2 on and off regardless. The issue is, when I do finally pull the trigger, I want it to be as technically accurate as it can possibly be, regardless of found parts or replica parts. For now, though, I'll settle for admiring from afar.

So what is with all the cloak and dagger stuff? I can only assume that someone is going to make available the ultimate replica for sale and they want to keep anyone else from learning the details and offering a high detailed replica before anyone else. It might explain the high number of V2s being dumped in the junkyard if certain people knew such a thing was coming.

Maybe I’m just jaded but I can’t think of another reason other than money why information isn’t flowing freely on this board. But if it’s something else, I’d love to know.

Aside from actually legally binding NDAs, I doubt there's really anything that goes on beyond two friends having a discussion and the first friend saying, "BTW, I wanna keep this on the DL." If anybody were to spill the beans about a 40 year old prop, nothing is going to happen legally, you just lose Brandon's trust and never get told anything else to you in confidence.

It's funny that some folks are chiming in, not to say what the newfound item is, but just to make sure the rest of us know that they are also in the club that knows about it.

This is more where I get the problem with it. It serves nothing but ego to chime into a thread and post "I know something you don't knowwww!" All it creates is mistrust, and a feeling of discordance in the community as we then get three pages of arguments from fans and collectors who feel as if they're being teased. It's not something that's really pointed out, but it's something that happens. There are people who know something, and they have to let you know that they, know, but they also have to remind you that you're not in the club. It's childish. Unfortunately, it's also something that happens in other fandoms I'm in, where somebody buys up a considerable number of rare resources, gets to know certain people associated with the production, then disseminate that information to their friends, who then have to feel the need to go out and yell, "Hey I just talked to such-and-such about X,Y,Z, but I can't share the information with you."

 

[Verity Cosplay]

I cannot speak for Brandon, but I can tell you I have NEVER heard of him trying to profit from his owning the prop in any way... he doesn't give secrets to runs to get compensation. He's graciously shared info about it when asked. So I'm pretty sure you can put that theory to rest... I'm pretty sure he didn't buy it to make money from it. He has a true passion for the thing and its history.

As for NDAs, and secret keeping it's as simple as this... someone shares something with you and says: "please don't share this" or "please don't post about it"... then as a moral human being... you JUST DON'T DO THAT WHICH YOU ARE ASKED NOT TO DO. It's called cultivating relationships and trust. It doesn't matter what the reasons are you're being asked to shut your mouth... it's a request given in a relationship of trust. There ARE NDAs... but most of the time it's with the sole purpose to STOP profiteering from the knowledge.

Replicas are made with usually two intentions:

1. Make a replica of something you cannot practically own an original of, either due to expense or lack of availability. Most people are emotionally connected with an object and having some tangible means of reconnecting with those emotions drive that acquisition. So there's a passion in making a replica for you to connect, and sometimes the only way to fund it is to do it in large quantities... meaning economy of scale helps get it made... and the maker may want to spread the joy of having that connection rekindled with others... hence runs.

2. Profit: People may only want to just capitalize on that emotional response to an object JUST to make the money. There's nothing wrong with it really, as we live in a free society. Build it and they will come.

I think most of the secrecy is usually to cut down on the pure intentions of number 2.

Of course I meant NO disrespect to Brandon. If my speculation was offending it was not meant to be. I apologize. I was merely (and perhaps unfairly) using the V2 and its owner as a hypothetical example given the subject of this thread. I have nothing but respect for Brandon and in no way meant to imply any sort of slander. If that is how it was taken I sincerely apologize.

 

[Mouse Vader]

Well, speculatively, remember that the V2 was incidental when LA realized they could not use the Graflex since it was lost during the cloud city battle. So to repair the continuity error they grabbed one of the stunts. For all we know the prop master was like "this looks too much like OWK's so I need to dress this up a bit" and slapped some stuff around the shop they had on hand.

This happens all the time and is often how we get the props we get all over the Hollywood universe. You are assuming WAY too much forethought in the Creative Department in this situation. I am willing to bet a lot of it was happenstance at the time.

Could well be, though I have convinced myself that the knob was present when it was used as rehearsal saber for ESB.

 

[Verity Cosplay]

This is more where I get the problem with it. It serves nothing but ego to chime into a thread and post "I know something you don't knowwww!"

So two things:

1.) I have not seen anyone do that regarding this discovery. I don't seeing anyone doing the "neener neener I know!" here. The folks who have chimed in (myself included) are trying to reassure the community as to motivations and reduce the load on Bryan. Do you even know how many direct messages he's gotten already? We are working to do a controlled release of the information to PROTECT the community. Bryan himself already has said he should have just kept silent until it was all ready to go. The folks working together on this are trying to honestly put out a fire and uproar and reassure the community. Do you think that is solely driven out of ego? I am helping to field some responses cuz Bryan is busy and at work and working on his new house. Chris is doing the same. I don't believe there is any hubris going on. The fact that these types of responses are happening is exactly why I am still so active in this thread right now.

2.) We are trying to assuage concerns not raise them. If that is having the opposite of the desired effect, maybe we all should let this go until all the T's are crossed and I's dotted.

 

[Mouse Vader]

Forums have a habit, I've noticed, of 'cross threading'. When I read CT1138's comments I got the inpression that he was talking 'generally' & not specifically about this chunk situation. I then thought that that his comments could well be misinterpreted. I could be wrong of course in which case my point is also supported

 

[Verity Cosplay]

Forums have a habit, I've noticed, of 'cross threading'. When I read CT1138's comments I got the inpression that he was talking 'generally' & not specifically about this chunk situation. I then thought that that his comments could well be misinterpreted. I could be wrong of course in which case my point is also supported

Could be. I was taking the statement in context which was a direct response to Spyhunter's quoted response which is in direct relation to this finding. So I was considering the whole context of the posting.

 

[andyroo]

I'm still excited [emoji2]

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Aside from actually legally binding NDAs,...

So I guess my next question is; why is there an NDA for a privately owned prop from a 1983 movie? Why is it important to protect this information? What is lost by revealing this protected information?

I can only think that they feel there is or will be an opportunity to profit from this info in the future. If that’s the case... cool. They most likely spent a lot of money for it so if they want to profit from it, I support it. But then just say that. But I would hate to be the guy who spent good money on a bunch of hobnails or whatever parts of any prop just to hear someone say, ”Oh yes, I talked to so and so last year and I knew what the real part is and that’s not it... sorry.“

I guess in the end, I just don’t understand it. I have been a member of this community since 1999 before we even called ourself the RPF and when we were just one forum on a Star Wars fan board. I came here to share info, learn, and help others Who wanted to obtain or build, or just know more about props, costumes and their replication. So I guess when info isn’t being shared or helping members seeking that knowledge, it seems to go against the core of what I have enjoyed about this board. But I guess that’s just me. I’ve been wrong before.

 

[andyroo]

I'm not taking sides or anything here but the ones that have found the part sound like they're doing the right thing by securing as many as possible to keep the price at cost or as close as.

Sounds like they're doing their best to make sure there's enough for the community and to make sure we'rere not buying a 30 dollar part for 300.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I'm not taking sides or anything here but the ones that have found the part sound like they're doing the right thing by securing as many as possible to keep the price at cost or as close as.

Sounds like they're doing their best to make sure there's enough for the community and to make sure we'rere not buying a 30 dollar part for 300.

And once again for the 3rd... 4th... or 5th time; I'm not talking about the recent hobnail thing. I get it.

 

[CT1138]

Forums have a habit, I've noticed, of 'cross threading'. When I read CT1138's comments I got the inpression that he was talking 'generally' & not specifically about this chunk situation. I then thought that that his comments could well be misinterpreted. I could be wrong of course in which case my point is also supported

This was more that, and admittedly, I have a bad habit of speaking generally in situations where a matter of specifics is more demanded. I see a situation, and that situation reminds me of separate times where such a situation has occurred, and out come the generalizations. This isn't the first time I've gotten into an argument when speaking in overly general terms.

Could be. I was taking the statement in context which was a direct response to Spyhunter's quoted response which is in direct relation to this finding. So I was considering the whole context of the posting.

I understand the idea of trying to prevent scalping, and legitimately do appreciate you guys taking the effort to prevent it. My desire was not to question your intentions, I do apologize if it came across that way.

I'm still excited [emoji2]

Me too!

So I guess my next question is; why is there an NDA for a privately owned prop from a 1983 movie? Why is it important to protect this information? What is lost by revealing this protected information?

I can only think that they feel there is or will be an opportunity to profit from this info in the future. If that’s the case... cool. They most likely spent a lot of money for it so if they want to profit from it, I support it. But then just say that. But I would hate to be the guy who spent good money on a bunch of hobnails or whatever parts of any prop just to hear someone say, ”Oh yes, I talked to so and so last year and I knew what the real part is and that’s not it... sorry.“

I guess in the end, I just don’t understand it. I have been a member of this community since 1999 before we even called ourself the RPF and when we were just one forum on a Star Wars fan board. I came here to share info, learn, and help others Who wanted to obtain or build, or just know more about props, costumes and their replication. So I guess when info isn’t being shared or helping members seeking that knowledge, it seems to go against the core of what I have enjoyed about this board. But I guess that’s just me. I’ve been wrong before.

Because, well, it does kinda make you look like a crappy person when you withhold information for monetary purposes. At the same time, I've read other's concerns about people replicating props so closely that they become indistinguishable from the original, paving the way for fakes to be sold off as originals. On the other hand, let's be honest here: is that not the endgame? Are we not here to create prop replicas nearly indistinguishable from the originals? Besides, if any of us are doing our homework, we know with whom many of the props end up, and the history of whose hands they've passed through. There are people here with an encyclopedic knowledge of props from their niche fandoms. If an item pops up being sold as an original, we're usually pretty on the ball in determining whether or not it's a fake.

 

[Mouse Vader]

So I guess my next question is; why is there an NDA for a privately owned prop from a 1983 movie? Why is it important to protect this information? What is lost by revealing this protected information?

I can only think that they feel there is or will be an opportunity to profit from this info in the future. If that’s the case... cool. They most likely spent a lot of money for it so if they want to profit from it, I support it. But then just say that.

I'm in this boat with you & the speculative bit's of answers I've had from asking leave me none the wiser. Why not say why you don't want reveal info? My autistic mind just can't grasp why you'd not answer such a question. Absence of such basic info ends up looking like (not nec's being) elitism etc. For clarity I'm talking generally here about original props that are much sought after not just sabers.
The above info on this current greebly has been the best I've come across on these boards & I thank all those who have taken time to contributed it. (I am actually interested in what it might be too just case anyone was wondering.)

 

[teecrooz]

I can’t believe I have to write this again. There is no sinister plot. The saber was and still is privately owned. Brandon was able to purchase it for his own personal enjoyment. He has no intention of ever selling it. It will be passed down to his children. I know because I asked.

As far as NDAs on it, there aren’t any actual ones that I know of. I know he’s shared info with his close personal friends and I’m sure he took many pictures. I have not seen any of it. As far as not sharing with the community, that is false. He shared many pictures at Comic-Con, showcased it on Pop Culture Quest, posted to his Facebook page, and discussed it on Scott’s Patreon interview. None of that was available to us before, so to say otherwise is laughable. More is known about this prop than ever before since he obtained it.

I know he has mentioned wanting to do a Prop book to accompany the Costumes book. I would bet the farm that pictures would make it into that book if it were to happen. As soon as it is released, people here would scan the pictures and post them like is done to all published books. So maybe there is money involved for those that choose to buy the book if it were to be made, but then there are also the people that would rip off the book by scanning and posting pictures. From the little I know him, Brandon would be too nice a guy to enforce copyrights on the pictures and would let them be freely shared.

Hopefully that at least gives you my perspective. I can’t answer for other people.

 

[thd9791]

I for one am extremely excited because I have run out of ideas over and over on what this could be.

I had a minor incident with a knob once and I was scared of opening the flood gates so everyone just private messaged me about it and I responded to all of them with the same answer, the ID of the part. I didn't have a way of bringing a large amount into the community so I sent people hunting with my help. If I did, this all makes sense.

BACK TO THE V2 - there's lots to talk about while we wait. we found out recently the emitter didn't really spin on screen. What are we thinking, was the emitter separate at that time anyway?

 

[Dewy]

BACK TO THE V2 - there's lots to talk about while we wait. we found out recently the emitter didn't really spin on screen. What are we thinking, was the emitter separate at that time anyway?

I was under the impression that it didn’t spin because the Gaffer’s tape was still able to hold the emitter in place, which is why it’s there in the first place. It only started spinning again because the tape aged and failed.

 

[Halliwax]

The gaffers tape isn’t on the v2 during ANH. I’m a strong believer that the emitter is pressure fit onto the ring section through a steel tube. The steel tube is still there today


When the prop team took apart the v2 to remove the motor and get it ready for a belt hanger, who knows what they did to it, and by then it spun freely. That’s why they used gaffers tape to stop the emitter from spinning

We now have evidence that even the V3 had gaffers tape on her neck as well at one time

 

[Dewy]

The gaffers tape isn’t on the v2 during ANH. I’m a strong believer that the emitter is pressure fit onto the ring section through a steel tube. The steel tube is still there today

I was just watching one of your YouTube videos where you talked about how Brandon mentioned that the emitter extends into the grenade section. When did he say this? Do you have a link?

My dream is a totally static (non-F.X.) V2 that at least somewhat accurately recreates the assembly in inner details of the original. That is to say I’m more interested in the prop than the “lightsaber”. So details like you mentioned above fascinate me.

 

[teecrooz]

My dream is a totally static (non-F.X.) V2 that at least somewhat accurately recreates the assembly in inner details of the original. That is to say I’m more interested in the prop than the “lightsaber”. So details like you mentioned above fascinate me.

Same here. I don’t want it to just look like the prop. I want it constructed like the prop.

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

Same here. I don’t want it to just look like the prop. I want it constructed like the prop.

I think the problem is, until Brandon reveals the internals of the piece, we're just working on conjecture here.