Revisiting the most accurate Luke ROTJ 'Hero' lightsaber

[manooga]

I've always had a fascination for that saber, hence I've been one of those in search of the most accurate prop. I just love the look of the original prop, with that light weathered look and the uneven rings... Anyway. We all know that so far, the most accurate prop we can find out there is the one made by fellow Anakin Starkiller. But, recently I've "discovered" that it might not be as accurate as we all think (it might not be new to some of you). I believe it has slightly excessive dimensions.

Why do I think that? Take a look at this picture taken from another thread, where the Starkiller is compared to the MR V2. It looks a little larger than the V2:



Now, I've also read some people saying that the MR version is the most accurate (probably they have never seen the Starkiller), but, it is true that the MR version seems to be very close to the dimensions of the original prop. I have this resin cast that has somehow proved to be a recast of a recast of the original, and the MR almost hits the exact dimensions of it. Except for the uneven rings, the width of the main body below the control box (the MR is like 1/2 mm diameter wider) and the height of the control box (the resin has a slightly higher control box), they look a lot the same (the third saber is a Rylo, which is out of scope here):



Now look at this picture, where the MR and the resin cast are standing aside of a MR V2; they are a bit shorter than the V2, so if we put a Starkiller here, it would be like 1 cm longer than what seem to be accurately-sized sabers.



1 cm is not that much, but it is when you are looking for an extremely accurate saber So maybe it would be good that someone crafted a new version of an extremely accurate ROTJ 'Hero' saber! Don't you think?

 

[NeoRutty]

YES!

Some of us have joined in only the last year, and NO ONE has done a run yet, heh.

Roman? YOU should throw your hat in the ring! Take a run at some of those blueprints... throw on your replica graflex clamps...

DOOO EEEET.

 

[NeoRutty]

While on this subject... I don't have any variation of the Return of the Jedi Luke saber... I guess there are 3?

So if one of them would be a resin cast, what are the thoughts on the EFX collectibles resin you see for around $150 EVERYWHERE...

Just curious....

 

[BobasBounty]

The EFX Luke ROTJ "Hero" Stunt PC resin saber is cast from the MR Luke ROTJ Hero saber so it is pretty much the exact size. Compared to the original prop recast it is the exact same size. I think the EFX saber is a very reasonable alternative if you are looking at it from a price to accuracy standpoint. You can find it on Amazon Prime for only $98.99.

 

[manooga]

I once had the resin eFX, but I ended up selling it. Though the size was overall accurate, the neck was too narrow, like if it had shrinked after the casting. The ring section was also somewhat inaccurate, the rings were all even (which shouldn't be if it really comes from an original) and the grooves were too deep. Also, take a look at all the pics of the original saber. The pommel cube where the tree ring is inserted is not really aligned with the control box; it is slightly aimed to the left.



The eFX had that "corrected"' so in the end I believe it is not that accurate. I am pretty happy with this resin cast I got; it features all the correct details.

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

I've also read some people saying that the MR version is the most accurate (probably they have never seen the Starkiller), but, it is true that the MR version seems to be very close to the dimensions of the original prop. I have this resin cast that has somehow proved to be a recast of a recast of the original, and the MR almost hits the exact dimensions of it.

So, here's the thing. Every time you recast a prop, it shrinks. The casting you have of the Luke ROTJ hero saber is at least 3 or 4 generations removed from the original prop. Which means that if the MR saber was the same size as the original metal prop, then your resin casting should be significantly smaller, right? But it's not. Therefore the MR has to be undersized. The size difference between my sabers and your resin casting is what it should be, since your casting is a casting of a casting of a casting. It is smaller, because it suffers from the shrinkage that happened each time the prop was recast.

If you took a casting of my saber, then recast that, then recast that casting what you would end up with is a resin casting that matches your saber.

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

YES!

Some of us have joined in only the last year, and NO ONE has done a run yet, heh.

Roman? YOU should throw your hat in the ring! Take a run at some of those blueprints... throw on your replica graflex clamps...

DOOO EEEET.

I did a run a couple years ago and at that time the market for Luke ROTJ sabers seemed pretty well saturated. But, if this has changed, I could always do another run over the summer. I think I sold mine for around $150.

 

[manooga]

So, here's the thing. Every time you recast a prop, it shrinks. The casting you have of the Luke ROTJ hero saber is at least 3 or 4 generations removed from the original prop. Which means that if the MR saber was the same size as the original metal prop, then your resin casting should be significantly smaller, right? But it's not. Therefore the MR has to be undersized. The size difference between my sabers and your resin casting is what it should be, since your casting is a casting of a casting of a casting. It is smaller, because it suffers from the shrinkage that happened each time the prop was recast.

If you took a casting of my saber, then recast that, then recast that casting what you would end up with is a resin casting that matches your saber.

That is indeed true. And I just tried something. Look.



The MR should be larger, yes! Funny that it's size matches the resin cast. So, if you ever go through another run Starkiller, I would be in

 

[Anakin Starkiller]

That's a good comparison and illustrates my point quite well. Almost all other Luke ROTJ hero saber replicas are based off of resin casting that suffer from quite a bit of shrinkage, and most don't realize how much. If there is interest I would be happy to do another run.

Dan

 

[NeoRutty]

One of yours would be ideal! I'd be in for a couple for sure

That's a good comparison and illustrates my point quite well. Almost all other Luke ROTJ hero saber replicas are based off of resin casting that suffer from quite a bit of shrinkage, and most don't realize how much. If there is interest I would be happy to do another run.

Dan

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

That's a good comparison and illustrates my point quite well. Almost all other Luke ROTJ hero saber replicas are based off of resin casting that suffer from quite a bit of shrinkage, and most don't realize how much. If there is interest I would be happy to do another run.

Dan

I'd probably do what I just did to finance Roman's Obi ANH; sell my MR version and buy yours.

 

[Jedi Reali]

An Anakin Starkiller ROTJ Luke hero saber has been on my wish list for a very long time... Just started searching around out of curiosity and here this thread is, only hours old. Needless to say if there were another run of these done I would be in.

 

[Heisenberg07]

Count me on for sure as well... It's been on my list for awhile

 

[redinight]

I would be interested too depending on price. All the sudden my eFX reveal ain't the ticket for me anymore

 

[Halliwax]

I would be in as well, I know I am a new member but I can always pay up front. I'm good for it!

 

[Cadger]

I'll also join in if you do a run!

 

[NeoRutty]

totally missed those efx resin posts... Thanks for the info.

 

[enrico]

Hello Manuel, always a pleasure to meet you here!

All the best from Italy, enrico

 

[OzzySwe]

Can someone please explain to me why the Hero lightsaber gets all the attention (made into replicas, FX ligthsabers and all that), and why it's even considered as the "Hero" version, when it's only in the film for about 2 seconds? I've studied Return of the Jedi this past two nights and the v2 pretty much gets all of the screen time. :confused

It would be like calling the Greedo killer for the Hero-DL44... Same thing.

 

[scottjua]

Can someone please explain to me why the Hero lightsaber gets all the attention (made into replicas, FX ligthsabers and all that), and why it's even considered as the "Hero" version, when it's only in the film for about 2 seconds? I've studied Return of the Jedi this past two nights and the v2 pretty much gets all of the screen time. :confused

It would be like calling the Greedo killer for the Hero-DL44... Same thing.

Because we're silly and someone did a close up and that was that.

I agree... the V2 is the real hero, but it never got the credit... even with the semi close up on the throne.

Oh well...

As for a run... I'd be down. I'd actually want it non accurate with real copper parts.