Realistic model Nightstick.

[Solaj]

Hi Guys!

I am looking to make an imitation police nightstick for use with a costume I am putting together, as almost everything is illegal here in the UK.

I was thinking of moulding from a real one then casting in a lightweight, harmless substance. Does anyone have any ideas what I could use please? Both for the mold and for the nightstick. Also, what could I coat it in to make it look genuine?

Regards

 

[cheech9898]

There's a few different styles. But any of them could be made from modifing nerf baseball bats, PVC tubing and/or polyurethane foam rods. Then coat with plastidip.

 

[Solaj]

Thanks for the reply cheech9898.

Since I have 10 thumbs when it comes to modelling, I was thinking of a straight mould from a side-handled US style baton. If I tried to make one from tubes and stuff, I would end up with a right old mess.

The plasti-dip sound handy, but I still need to know what to use to make the mould and then what to fill it with. :confused

Regards

 

[cheech9898]

The issue is since your UK laws are so strict, I'm not sure you could get your hands on a real one to make a silicone mold off of unless you knew an officer.

Your options I think are going to be make your own from scratch or get a hold of a training/practice foam rubber coated tonfa from a martial arts supply house based in the UK (my understanding is there are exceptions for groups so I'd bet its possible to get one of those).

As far as building from scratch, @3ft of PVC pipe that the outer diameter is around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch with matching size T-fitting and 3 end caps will make you one. The handle is usually around 6 inches long and the handle is set back from the end the same distance as the length of the handle. The overall length is usually in the 20-22 inch range, but ideally you would want the long side to go about 1 1/2 inches beyond your elbow when gripping it by the handle. The downside is here you've got something that could be taken as a weapon since it is hard, even though you'll be pulling a mold off of it. By the time you buy silicone rubber and then a 2 part polyurethane foam, you'll probably be at 5x's the cost of just locating the training Tonfa

 

[cheech9898]

I just did an ebay UK search for 'foam tonfa' and it looks like you can get a pair of foam tonfa's on there for @17 pounds shipped. I don't think you'll find a better solution vs price than that.

 

[Solaj]

Hi again cheech 9898!

I am able to get hold of a real one to mould from, that a friend of mine owns.

The foam ones are ok, but lack in detail. The costume is a movie accurate Gotham Police outfit from Batman Begins/The Dark Knight, so I wanted to try to make a nightstick that looked real, but was harmless.

Regards :thumbsup