Question on MR Sabers and Accuracy

[Jedi Reali]

I have a question. I keep hearing about how inaccurate MR sabers are, and I wonder why, if they supposedly had access to Lucasfilm's archives... photos, and in some cases the original props themselves, why should they not make them as accurate as they could? I have an MR Luke ROTJ, and I hate the sparkly metallic finish on the copper parts. I can guess why they'd wanna make em flashier to impress a wider market than just us purists... but why should dimensions be off? (As I've heard is the case in some of their sabers.) Understandably some details are foggy on the original trilogy sabers, or parts were as yet undiscovered... but why should any of the prequel sabers not be dead on?

Part two of my question... can any of you who own these sabers cite specifically what makes them inaccurate? I'm really curious.

(Full disclosure: I own two MR sabers, the Luke ROTJ LE and the Qui-Gon LE, and I'd consider picking more up in the future.)

 

[tripoli]

MR did have access to many if the sabers. But you have to consider the following. There were multiple sabers that looked different from scene to scene sometimes. Even with the hero pieces. Some sabers had defects you would not see on the screen but would in hand. Lucas held artistic rule on the final pieces to be produced that could influence what was manufactured. Sometimes it is best to make the saber look more realistic than follow the exact screen piece that had some defects in the workmanship. then, you have to overcome what the factory may produce versus what was expected to be produced. Final production, cost and quality control become another factor in mass production. These factors can and have been discussed in depth in the past, but it is the normal issues that pop up in prop replication.

 

[phase pistol]

What is the consensus on which MR products are the "most" accurate?

 

[Montagar]

What is the consensus on which MR products are the "most" accurate?

If I remember correctly, most members thought the thermal detonator was, and possibly the jedi training remote (although I think there was a size issue with that one). Those are the only ones that I remember being considered really accurate.

 

[rabbit4x]

I found the thread where Steve D. chimed in about the accuracy of MR's products. it's a very interesting read.

http://therpf.com/showthread.php?t=26408&

 

[Son of Skywalker]

I asked the same question fairly recently. No specifics on the inaccuracies though - was basically told there's too many too name. Steve made a great post in there though.

 

[lonepigeon]

I have an MR Luke ROTJ, and I hate the sparkly metallic finish on the copper parts. I can guess why they'd wanna make em flashier to impress a wider market than just us purists... but why should dimensions be off?

Sounds like you have the Luke ROTJ EE not the LE.
The EE (Elite Edition) is more idealized than the LE with shiny copper parts etc.

There's all kinds of reasons why the sabers are off here and there.
- Idealization (like the even grips on the Luke ROTJ)
- Machining difficulties (the incorrect depth cutout on the Obi AOTC grip)
- Changes made by the Chinese factories for whatever reason (cut corners, etc)

Inaccuracies happen in fan made props all the time as well.

I asked the same question fairly recently. No specifics on the inaccuracies though - was basically told there's too many too name. Steve made a great post in there though.

Good thread too. I was looking for that one as it was essentially the same discussion.
All of this has happened before and will happen again.

 

[cayman shen]

I've said it before though, I've never seen a fan made saber that gives the quality of the finishes I've consistently seen on my MR sabers.

Oh, and you'll have to pry my Luke V2 out of my cold dead hands. I have no idea how accurate it is, but man oh man is it pretty.

 

[MooMooEgg]

Sounds like you have the Luke ROTJ EE not the LE.
The EE (Elite Edition) is more idealized than the LE with shiny copper parts etc.

nah, the LE is the one with the "sparkly" finish. The EE's neck is shiny, but that's because the real copper neck was covered in a clearcoat to prevent oxidation. No sparkly bits at all.

And yeah, Steve's post is great for info on the accuracy of MR sabers.

 

[Jedi Reali]

Thanks guys! I just read all of those threads (and a couple others over at Rebelscum about the MR Qui-Gon)... very interesting read!

 

[lonepigeon]

nah, the LE is the one with the "sparkly" finish. The EE's neck is shiny, but that's because the real copper neck was covered in a clearcoat to prevent oxidation. No sparkly bits at all.

LE is just metallic paint same as the original prop. I would call that flat compared to the EE. Since he called it "flashier" and inaccurate to the real prop I think he means the EE's more polished finish.

So which is it Mike?

 

[cayman shen]

I'd be curious to know about the Qui-gon. I've heard about the endcap and finish. Any other stuff? I'm so glad they decided against the silver button under the red button version. I think that looks like a--. This is personally my second favorite MR saber.

 

[franz bolo]

I think the mini's are excellent. They have so much detail and I am amazed at them.

The Graflex detail is sweet!

FB

 

[nash]

nah, the LE is the one with the "sparkly" finish. The EE's neck is shiny, but that's because the real copper neck was covered in a clearcoat to prevent oxidation. No sparkly bits at all.

And yeah, Steve's post is great for info on the accuracy of MR sabers.

I'd believe a normal machinist who was working on the project than steve. Even if he isnt part of MR and claims to be one of 'us', you know his interests still lie in his past works over at MR.

 

[Jedi Reali]

Here's the Qui-Gon comparison over at Rebelscum:
http://threads.rebelscum.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=propsdisplay&Number=2178059&fpart=&PHPSESSID=

Besides the long pommel, it looks like the "hooked" feature of the shroud is a bit too high up on the body, and the wide rib just above the top of the shroud is a bit too wide. That's just in comparison to the Chronicles pic, and apparently dimensions differed between several versions of this saber, if what I've read in the previously linked threads is correct. As an MR Qui-Gon owner, I'm not complaining.

Chris, I'm sure I have the LE ROTJ Luke, and the copper parts can only be described as "sparkly".

 

[nash]

Here's the Qui-Gon comparison over at Rebelscum:
http://threads.rebelscum.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=propsdisplay&Number=2178059&fpart=&PHPSESSID=

Besides the long pommel, it looks like the "hooked" feature of the shroud is a bit too high up on the body, and the wide rib just above the top of the shroud is a bit too wide. That's just in comparison to the Chronicles pic, and apparently dimensions differed between several versions of this saber, if what I've read in the previously linked threads is correct. As an MR Qui-Gon owner, I'm not complaining.

Chris, I'm sure I have the LE ROTJ Luke, and the copper parts can only be described as "sparkly".

I have that custom quigon and love it way more than the MR version. The MR one felt and looked like a toy imo. I had it but promptly sold it off.

 

[Jedi Reali]

Ok, I just did an image search, and I see the MR Luke with the flat copper parts. I'm confused... maybe I received some variation, like a "made in China" version vs. a "made in America" version, I have no idea. I don't have the saber here with me to check out the paperwork either.

I'm sure I didn't buy an EE, because I KNOW I didn't spend no $500 on it! :lol ($260 I think.) (And it doesn't have the emitter gem.)

 

[scarf man]

My MR Luke ROTJ hero had sparkly copper paint on the neck and control box as well FWIW.
The paint had little metal flakes in it.

 

[Darth Lars]

I'd be curious to know about the Qui-gon. I've heard about the endcap and finish.

Except for the long endcap, the basic shapes are otherwise spot-on. All other replicas to date have got certain details slightly wrong that are not wrong here.
The edges feel a bit too rounded wich adds to the "toy" feel.
White copyright text on the pommel, and deeply etched text on the anodized shroud telling which edition it is. The emitter is also anodized grey, looking like plastic.
The anodized red button has the perfect hue, but no nipple in the center like some screen-used Qui-Gon sabers. (compare with Roman's button which is slightly darker, but has the nipple). Everything is glued together, which makes it difficult to disassemble it and replace the shroud and emitter plate without damaging anything.
The anodization on the button will come off easily if you try to unscrew it by force.

 

[cayman shen]

See, I think the softer details on the black parts make it look more like the resin original. And the finish on the metal parts make it look subtle to my eye (as opposed to the AWFUL chrome on the AOTC Kenobi, for instance). I dunno. Some people see toy, I see understated, elegant. I would never look at it and see plastic.

I will agree that having "limited edition" engraved on it is a smidgen of a turn off.