Marto sword of the dragon (collarless)? anyone got one?
- Thread starter DavidS
- Start date
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LZeitgeist @ Mar 18 2007, 12:39 AM) [snapback]1442468[/snapback]</div>
In a vast majority of episodes in which Adrian used a bronze-collared Dragon Headed Katana, the bronze collar was covered up with white adhesive medical (cloth) tape. There is not a white plastic-collared version.
BTW, I own an original collarless Marto DHK - during the time that the DHK was being readied, the stage combat group I helped found (the ShadowPlayers Stage Combat Group in Raleigh, NC) was sponsored by Marto USA and we received a few of the DHK's before they were released to the public. We were the ones who discovered that the dragonhead shattered/cracked/broke when an object of sufficient resistance was struck by the blade due to the design and construction of the tang sleeve molded into the handle.
BTW - have you ever seen pics of the scabbard that was supposed to match and accompany Duncan's DHK? I have the (or one of the) prototypes, and had it autographed by Adrian at Gathering I in Denver, CO, Oct.'94. It's a textured burgundy with black leather detailing near the top, with bronze accents, black cording, and a bronze set of kozuka/kogai. I could post pics if you're interested...
[/b][/quote]
first off, let me say that i DID think that the collor looked like it was covered with tape or something..... the only thing that made me doubt it is that a friend of mine claims to have SEEN in person a molded collared version....... hmmm.......
so you have one of hte ORIGINAL swords eh? i would sure love to see the saya as well...
in several episodes (The samurai, Shadows ect...) a saya is seen with the sword....... it has always looked black with SILVER accents on it....... is this incorrect? id really like to see whatcha got....
In a vast majority of episodes in which Adrian used a bronze-collared Dragon Headed Katana, the bronze collar was covered up with white adhesive medical (cloth) tape. There is not a white plastic-collared version.
BTW, I own an original collarless Marto DHK - during the time that the DHK was being readied, the stage combat group I helped found (the ShadowPlayers Stage Combat Group in Raleigh, NC) was sponsored by Marto USA and we received a few of the DHK's before they were released to the public. We were the ones who discovered that the dragonhead shattered/cracked/broke when an object of sufficient resistance was struck by the blade due to the design and construction of the tang sleeve molded into the handle.
BTW - have you ever seen pics of the scabbard that was supposed to match and accompany Duncan's DHK? I have the (or one of the) prototypes, and had it autographed by Adrian at Gathering I in Denver, CO, Oct.'94. It's a textured burgundy with black leather detailing near the top, with bronze accents, black cording, and a bronze set of kozuka/kogai. I could post pics if you're interested...
[/b][/quote]
first off, let me say that i DID think that the collor looked like it was covered with tape or something..... the only thing that made me doubt it is that a friend of mine claims to have SEEN in person a molded collared version....... hmmm.......
so you have one of hte ORIGINAL swords eh? i would sure love to see the saya as well...
in several episodes (The samurai, Shadows ect...) a saya is seen with the sword....... it has always looked black with SILVER accents on it....... is this incorrect? id really like to see whatcha got....
LZeitgeist
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Stokes @ Mar 18 2007, 11:51 AM) [snapback]1442655[/snapback]</div>
Regarding the plastic version, Marto would have no reason to make a plastic-collared version, since reinforcing plastic with more plastic would be a waste, especially since a metal collar was already in existence that could be used. I'm guessing your friend was either mistaken and remembered seeing the tape-covered bulge on the handle from the show, or perhaps saw a recast from a mold made from a bronze-collared handle...? Don't know... there are a lot of knock-offs of this sword, that's for sure.
The saya I'm speaking of is what Marto had originally intended/designed to go with the finished DHK, not what the propmasters on the TV show used, and not just the plain black aluminum saya that the DHK finally, actually shipped with.
Another fun fact, Highlander series-related, although not katana related - do you remember from the Pilot of the series a rather ornate, bejeweled El Cid 'Colada' sword that Richie removes from a case in the antique store and is brandishing when Duncan finds him and mistakenly challenges him...? My partner purchased that original prop sword from Marto USA and still has it. It's actually rather ugly in real life, with gold braiding and fake jewels adhered to it, but it looked nice on-screen, which was, of course, the point.
I'll take some pics of the DHK saya this afternoon and try to get them up this evening...
The tape covering on the bronze collar has been confirmed by Adrian in a couple of different conversations at cons over the years.
Regarding the plastic version, Marto would have no reason to make a plastic-collared version, since reinforcing plastic with more plastic would be a waste, especially since a metal collar was already in existence that could be used. I'm guessing your friend was either mistaken and remembered seeing the tape-covered bulge on the handle from the show, or perhaps saw a recast from a mold made from a bronze-collared handle...? Don't know... there are a lot of knock-offs of this sword, that's for sure.
Well, when you say ORIGINAL *that* way, it makes me think I may have misspoken. I do not have an original screen-used 'Duncan MacLeod katana' prop sword (although I do have an original hero Ramirez Katana prop sword from Highlander 2, but I digress) - I have one of the original versions of the Marto DHK before it was offered to the public with the bronze collar, or even released to the public without the collar. At the time, the partner I founded the ShadowPlayers with also created a mail-order sword company with me, called SwordMasters. Between the combination of the Marto USA sponsorship of the fight group, the experience the group had with weapons demonstrations/use/visibility at conventions/etc., and the license to buy/sell official Marto/Martespa merchandise, we received about 6-8 DHK's before they were ever released - mine is one of those 'original' few.
The saya I'm speaking of is what Marto had originally intended/designed to go with the finished DHK, not what the propmasters on the TV show used, and not just the plain black aluminum saya that the DHK finally, actually shipped with.
Another fun fact, Highlander series-related, although not katana related - do you remember from the Pilot of the series a rather ornate, bejeweled El Cid 'Colada' sword that Richie removes from a case in the antique store and is brandishing when Duncan finds him and mistakenly challenges him...? My partner purchased that original prop sword from Marto USA and still has it. It's actually rather ugly in real life, with gold braiding and fake jewels adhered to it, but it looked nice on-screen, which was, of course, the point.
I'll take some pics of the DHK saya this afternoon and try to get them up this evening...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LZeitgeist @ Mar 18 2007, 11:29 AM) [snapback]1442671[/snapback]</div>
Regarding the plastic version, Marto would have no reason to make a plastic-collared version, since reinforcing plastic with more plastic would be a waste, especially since a metal collar was already in existence that could be used. I'm guessing your friend was either mistaken and remembered seeing the tape-covered bulge on the handle from the show, or perhaps saw a recast from a mold made from a bronze-collared handle...? Don't know... there are a lot of knock-offs of this sword, that's for sure.
The saya I'm speaking of is what Marto had originally intended/designed to go with the finished DHK, not what the propmasters on the TV show used, and not just the plain black aluminum saya that the DHK finally, actually shipped with.
Another fun fact, Highlander series-related, although not katana related - do you remember from the Pilot of the series a rather ornate, bejeweled El Cid 'Colada' sword that Richie removes from a case in the antique store and is brandishing when Duncan finds him and mistakenly challenges him...? My partner purchased that original prop sword from Marto USA and still has it. It's actually rather ugly in real life, with gold braiding and fake jewels adhered to it, but it looked nice on-screen, which was, of course, the point.
I'll take some pics of the DHK saya this afternoon and try to get them up this evening...
[/b][/quote]
wow thats really incredible.... yes i DO remember that sword Richie was playing with .. "En garde you fool....WHOA..."
Id sure love to see that scabbard you have....... im sure you would NOT want to sell yours, but if you know were i could find another one of those, id be very interested in purchasing it......
I know what you mean about knockoffs ive seen taiwanese fakes that look like direct copies of the SOTD with the collar on it, and they just cast it in.......... in fact i made an aluminum bladed "stunt" sword useing one of those handles..
The tape covering on the bronze collar has been confirmed by Adrian in a couple of different conversations at cons over the years.
Regarding the plastic version, Marto would have no reason to make a plastic-collared version, since reinforcing plastic with more plastic would be a waste, especially since a metal collar was already in existence that could be used. I'm guessing your friend was either mistaken and remembered seeing the tape-covered bulge on the handle from the show, or perhaps saw a recast from a mold made from a bronze-collared handle...? Don't know... there are a lot of knock-offs of this sword, that's for sure.
Well, when you say ORIGINAL *that* way, it makes me think I may have misspoken. I do not have an original screen-used 'Duncan MacLeod katana' prop sword (although I do have an original hero Ramirez Katana prop sword from Highlander 2, but I digress) - I have one of the original versions of the Marto DHK before it was offered to the public with the bronze collar, or even released to the public without the collar. At the time, the partner I founded the ShadowPlayers with also created a mail-order sword company with me, called SwordMasters. Between the combination of the Marto USA sponsorship of the fight group, the experience the group had with weapons demonstrations/use/visibility at conventions/etc., and the license to buy/sell official Marto/Martespa merchandise, we received about 6-8 DHK's before they were ever released - mine is one of those 'original' few.
The saya I'm speaking of is what Marto had originally intended/designed to go with the finished DHK, not what the propmasters on the TV show used, and not just the plain black aluminum saya that the DHK finally, actually shipped with.
Another fun fact, Highlander series-related, although not katana related - do you remember from the Pilot of the series a rather ornate, bejeweled El Cid 'Colada' sword that Richie removes from a case in the antique store and is brandishing when Duncan finds him and mistakenly challenges him...? My partner purchased that original prop sword from Marto USA and still has it. It's actually rather ugly in real life, with gold braiding and fake jewels adhered to it, but it looked nice on-screen, which was, of course, the point.
I'll take some pics of the DHK saya this afternoon and try to get them up this evening...
[/b][/quote]
wow thats really incredible.... yes i DO remember that sword Richie was playing with .. "En garde you fool....WHOA..."
Id sure love to see that scabbard you have....... im sure you would NOT want to sell yours, but if you know were i could find another one of those, id be very interested in purchasing it......
I know what you mean about knockoffs ive seen taiwanese fakes that look like direct copies of the SOTD with the collar on it, and they just cast it in.......... in fact i made an aluminum bladed "stunt" sword useing one of those handles..
jts1031
Sr Member
By season three, the swords with collars on them started showing up in episodes. While they may have been covered in white medical tape, in publicity shots they were painted white to match the swords from earlier seasons as the detail can clearly be seen on the neck. And this is the way it was through most of season 4 if not all of it. But by season 5 they stopped doing this and that's when the brass neck starts showing up, and has been ever since. I purchased a Sword of the Dragon way back when directly from Marto when they could be had for $199, which would have been about season 4, and the brass neck was there by then.
I do remember hearing that they wanted to use what they called Duncan's Katana, but Adrian Paul was resistant to the idea, as the grip didn't feel good to him.
I do remember hearing that they wanted to use what they called Duncan's Katana, but Adrian Paul was resistant to the idea, as the grip didn't feel good to him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jts1031 @ Mar 18 2007, 02:10 PM) [snapback]1442756[/snapback]</div>
I honestly didnt know about the painting of the collar to match earlier seasons... thats very interesting... i bought my SOTD probably around the time of season 3 id guess.... and it has the bronze collar.... I have only EVER seen pictures of the collarless version, they must have added the collar VERY early on.
After they quit useing Sals handle around the first part of season 2, is when i heard they had the "Duncans katana" made..... i also heard that it was designed/carved by Jose De Braga who did the hilts for the Highlander 3 movie..... i only heard that part in rumor and have never seen anything OFFICIAL on WHO carved that handle.... i have one fo them as well, and id aggree with Adrian, it IS very bulbous and not comfortable to hold......
In my opinion Sals handle is the most comfortable of all the highlander style swords..... its MUCH thinner than the marto swords......... The martos just feel too thick.....
So i suppose to have an "ACCURATE" season 2-3ish prop, one should paint the collar......... just curious.... has anyone done this?
I honestly didnt know about the painting of the collar to match earlier seasons... thats very interesting... i bought my SOTD probably around the time of season 3 id guess.... and it has the bronze collar.... I have only EVER seen pictures of the collarless version, they must have added the collar VERY early on.
After they quit useing Sals handle around the first part of season 2, is when i heard they had the "Duncans katana" made..... i also heard that it was designed/carved by Jose De Braga who did the hilts for the Highlander 3 movie..... i only heard that part in rumor and have never seen anything OFFICIAL on WHO carved that handle.... i have one fo them as well, and id aggree with Adrian, it IS very bulbous and not comfortable to hold......
In my opinion Sals handle is the most comfortable of all the highlander style swords..... its MUCH thinner than the marto swords......... The martos just feel too thick.....
So i suppose to have an "ACCURATE" season 2-3ish prop, one should paint the collar....
..... just curious.... has anyone done this?
LZeitgeist
Sr Member
Sorry - got tied up yesterday afternoon/evening helping a friend - I'll take some pics today after work.
LZeitgeist
Sr Member
As promised, here are pics...
In the scabbard...
The bronze fittings match the double-rooster tsuba perfectly...
The burgundy is a very nice accompaniment to the color and the weathering of the faux-ivory grip and bronze tsuba...
The kozuka and kogai fit perfectly through the holes in the tsuba, as they were meant to...
Adrian Paul's autograph, acquired at Gathering I...
Matching weathered bronze...
(sorry for the glare in this shot...)
In the scabbard...
The bronze fittings match the double-rooster tsuba perfectly...
The burgundy is a very nice accompaniment to the color and the weathering of the faux-ivory grip and bronze tsuba...
The kozuka and kogai fit perfectly through the holes in the tsuba, as they were meant to...
Adrian Paul's autograph, acquired at Gathering I...
Matching weathered bronze...
(sorry for the glare in this shot...)
jts1031
Sr Member
I'm not seeing any of the lines normally present on top of the head, either, but it could just be the angle too.
To drum up interest in the last couple of years, Marto started producing this sword in three different sizes, and the heads were removable from the hilt to reveal daggers, but my memory is fuzzy on if these had the collar on them or not.
That scabbard though is quite awesome. Matches wonderfully to the motif of the sword and is tons more appealing than what shipped/ships with it now.
To drum up interest in the last couple of years, Marto started producing this sword in three different sizes, and the heads were removable from the hilt to reveal daggers, but my memory is fuzzy on if these had the collar on them or not.
That scabbard though is quite awesome. Matches wonderfully to the motif of the sword and is tons more appealing than what shipped/ships with it now.
Love that scabbard. I'm especially jealous of the kozuka and kogai, though I recently had a sword confiscated and destroyed by NZ customs for having these "concealed weapons" as part of my katana. :rolleyes
I'm curious about the top of the head too, though the handle looks identical to the standard Marto, so I imagine this one still has the lines.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards,
Indy
I'm curious about the top of the head too, though the handle looks identical to the standard Marto, so I imagine this one still has the lines.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards,
Indy
LZeitgeist
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Stokes @ Mar 19 2007, 11:29 PM) [snapback]1443757[/snapback]</div>
jts1031 has it right - it's just the angle of the shots. The top of the head has the same lines on it that the production pieces have. I was more focusing on the details of the saya rather than trying to pick up the details of the katana.
Glad you like... periodically as part of the MartoUSA sponsorship, my partner and I could head up to the warehouse in the Virginia area and go through their 'scratch and dent' bin to find swords/accessories for the group to use and display.This saya was actually among those items - to them, apparently, since the design was rejected, they didn't care much about it and just felt it was another item off the shelf. I was quite happy to give it a good home with due respect.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jts1031 @ Mar 20 2007, 12:12 AM) [snapback]1443779[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Indy Magnoli @ Mar 20 2007, 05:48 AM) [snapback]1443848[/snapback]</div>
jts1031 has it right - it's just the angle of the shots. The top of the head has the same lines on it that the production pieces have. I was more focusing on the details of the saya rather than trying to pick up the details of the katana.
Glad you like... periodically as part of the MartoUSA sponsorship, my partner and I could head up to the warehouse in the Virginia area and go through their 'scratch and dent' bin to find swords/accessories for the group to use and display.This saya was actually among those items - to them, apparently, since the design was rejected, they didn't care much about it and just felt it was another item off the shelf. I was quite happy to give it a good home with due respect.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Indy Magnoli @ Mar 20 2007, 05:48 AM) [snapback]1443848[/snapback]</div>
Oh yes, those darn secret hidden ninja weapons will get ya every time. lol
customs are ridiculous....
Love that scabbard. I'm especially jealous of the kozuka and kogai, though I recently had a sword confiscated and destroyed by NZ customs for having these "concealed weapons" as part of my katana. :rolleyes
I'm curious about the top of the head too, though the handle looks identical to the standard Marto, so I imagine this one still has the lines.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards,
Indy
[/b]
Oh yes, those darn secret hidden ninja weapons will get ya every time. lol
customs are ridiculous....
jts1031
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Indy Magnoli @ Mar 20 2007, 05:48 AM) [snapback]1443848[/snapback]</div>
Wait a sec... So they were more concerned about the smaller "knives" as opposed to the 2 1/2 foot long bladed katana? Ahhh, gotta love the logic that governments follow, proving once again that common sense is not common...
Wait a sec... So they were more concerned about the smaller "knives" as opposed to the 2 1/2 foot long bladed katana? Ahhh, gotta love the logic that governments follow, proving once again that common sense is not common...
LZeitgeist
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jts1031 @ Mar 18 2007, 03:10 PM) [snapback]1442756[/snapback]</div>
I remember this as well... if I'm remembering correctly, it was sold under 'Martespa', Marto's daughter company. It really was too thick to grip reliably... the main difference was that this sword had the dragon's entire body forming the grip section rather than just the dragon's head on the pommel like the DHK. The dragon's 'face' was also very different from those on either Duncan's or Ramirez' katanas.
I remember this as well... if I'm remembering correctly, it was sold under 'Martespa', Marto's daughter company. It really was too thick to grip reliably... the main difference was that this sword had the dragon's entire body forming the grip section rather than just the dragon's head on the pommel like the DHK. The dragon's 'face' was also very different from those on either Duncan's or Ramirez' katanas.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LZeitgeist @ Mar 20 2007, 12:57 PM) [snapback]1444108[/snapback]</div>
It always reminded me of the "luck dragon" from The Neverending Story. :lol
Kind regards,
Indy
It always reminded me of the "luck dragon" from The Neverending Story. :lol
Kind regards,
Indy
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LZeitgeist @ Mar 20 2007, 06:01 AM) [snapback]1443852[/snapback]</div>
How did you like the Lorton area Patrick?
Was that the warehouse you visited as I think thats where they still were before they re-located to another near Fairfax.
I remember on one of my trips there all the Dragon head handles that had broken.
I wish I would have grabed a few, it would have made an interesting souvenir now. :lol
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Stokes @ Mar 20 2007, 02:35 PM) [snapback]1444124[/snapback]</div>
Nope Marto USA closed long ago iirc due to the fact that Pro-Cut was also selling Marto products in the U.S. which supposedly Marto USA had the exclusive to...
The warehouse was not open to the general public anyway.
You had to finagle an invitation.
How did you like the Lorton area Patrick?
Was that the warehouse you visited as I think thats where they still were before they re-located to another near Fairfax.
I remember on one of my trips there all the Dragon head handles that had broken.
I wish I would have grabed a few, it would have made an interesting souvenir now. :lol
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Stokes @ Mar 20 2007, 02:35 PM) [snapback]1444124[/snapback]</div>
Nope Marto USA closed long ago iirc due to the fact that Pro-Cut was also selling Marto products in the U.S. which supposedly Marto USA had the exclusive to...
The warehouse was not open to the general public anyway.
You had to finagle an invitation.
LZeitgeist
Sr Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apollo @ Mar 20 2007, 05:51 PM) [snapback]1444277[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apollo @ Mar 20 2007, 05:51 PM) [snapback]1444277[/snapback]</div>
Actually I don't really remember many specifics about the area; usually just went to the warehouse to pick up my orders and hung out with the guys there some before heading back home again. I remember meeting a friend up there once and checking out a comic book store in the area or something like that... almost seems like another life to me now. I miss those days.
Pro-Cut also took over supplying swords to Highlander: the Series after MartoUSA stopped.Nope Marto USA closed long ago iirc due to the fact that Pro-Cut was also selling Marto products in the U.S. which supposedly Marto USA had the exclusive to...
Or pick up your wholesale dealer stock order in person...The warehouse was not open to the general public anyway.
You had to finagle an invitation.
[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apollo @ Mar 20 2007, 05:51 PM) [snapback]1444277[/snapback]</div>
How did you like the Lorton area Patrick?
Was that the warehouse you visited as I think thats where they still were before they re-located to another near Fairfax.
[/b]
Actually I don't really remember many specifics about the area; usually just went to the warehouse to pick up my orders and hung out with the guys there some before heading back home again. I remember meeting a friend up there once and checking out a comic book store in the area or something like that... almost seems like another life to me now. I miss those days.
Similar threads
- Sale