Evildead2fan
New Member
While this thread will be nothing to write home about, I did want to share the alterations I made to my Gen 1 Roman's ESB Graflex to make it more screen accurate to the Wampa cave configuration. I'm debating on changing the clamp card, which is a Slothfurnace, to Vintage Finish style. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the changes I've made.
First some context on why I chose the Wampa config and not the Hoth/Bespin Hero.
This saber was sold to me by a buddy of mine in the Indiana Jones cosplay community as he had upgraded to a fully installed 89 Sabers Graflex and knew I had been looking for a replica for sometime. when I got my hands on this piece I was in awe at it's quality and weight. It was then I noticed that this ESB was very much an "idealized" replica. as it had the sliver "rivet" grip screws, shiny furniture, and most importantly, the 'beer tab" still attached. Which, as most SW fans worth their salt know, the ESB hero does not have the beer tab.
I debated on removing it, but then, by providence I would guess, the wonderful Sithslayer on YouTube (please check out his work) had a video on the ESB short bladed stunt. At that point I decided to make this saber a short blade stunt replica. And quite honestly I'm so happy I did. This build and learning of the real prop's history has been such a joy and a reminder of why I adore the galaxy far, far away.
The First Change I made was to the grip screws. The original screws were allen head screws that were meant to mimic the long standing (and still slightly debated) "rivets". Thanks to the talents of Roy at Wanawanga, I was able to order the replica Exactra style screws.
The only real run in I had with the screws were they weren't the same size as the ones that Roman had originally installed. Luckily however, a bit of plumbers tape wrapped a few times around each screw fixed the problem and now they sit nice and tight.
Next I changed out the kobold clip on the bottom of the saber to a weathered variant made by, once again, Roy from Wanawanga! This was by far the most satisfying change. I do like Roman's clip, but it felt more TFA/TLJ in nature. Roy's has a more chunky, vintage feel and the damaged sides also look fantastic. Adding that 'lived in' aspect the OT props share.
Next was the top button.
As the years have passed, we have gained more and more knowledge on many of the Graflex based props. The Wampa Cave/Short bladed stunt is one of the only Graflex based sabers of the OT to use a early Folmer (thin band) button instead of the more well known fully knurled button seen through the rest of the films. Why this was seems to still have no answer. But it's a slight change I love and adapted to my replica. And as usual, Roman came through having released the replica early Folmer button.
Last, but not least, I moved the grips into the correct orientation. That being one of the grips sits almost perfectly underneath the right hand side of the clamp, or the area closest to the clamp lever.
Compared to the original
In this image, I brightened up the shadows and zoomed in. It's clear there is snow in the empty space of the clamp and that the grip sits, as mentioned, just underneath the right side of the clamp near the lever.
This build was beyond a joy to undertake! Sure, I could have kept the saber in it's "idealized" form. But where's the fun in that? Also having my ESB be in a lesser seen/known configuration makes my collection more personal and is an excellent conversation starter to anyone who has the keen eye for props, but not the wider knowledge...yet.
Here is the saber as it sits with my main display sabers.
(Note: this photo was taken the day before receiving the thin band top button)
First some context on why I chose the Wampa config and not the Hoth/Bespin Hero.
This saber was sold to me by a buddy of mine in the Indiana Jones cosplay community as he had upgraded to a fully installed 89 Sabers Graflex and knew I had been looking for a replica for sometime. when I got my hands on this piece I was in awe at it's quality and weight. It was then I noticed that this ESB was very much an "idealized" replica. as it had the sliver "rivet" grip screws, shiny furniture, and most importantly, the 'beer tab" still attached. Which, as most SW fans worth their salt know, the ESB hero does not have the beer tab.
I debated on removing it, but then, by providence I would guess, the wonderful Sithslayer on YouTube (please check out his work) had a video on the ESB short bladed stunt. At that point I decided to make this saber a short blade stunt replica. And quite honestly I'm so happy I did. This build and learning of the real prop's history has been such a joy and a reminder of why I adore the galaxy far, far away.
The First Change I made was to the grip screws. The original screws were allen head screws that were meant to mimic the long standing (and still slightly debated) "rivets". Thanks to the talents of Roy at Wanawanga, I was able to order the replica Exactra style screws.
The only real run in I had with the screws were they weren't the same size as the ones that Roman had originally installed. Luckily however, a bit of plumbers tape wrapped a few times around each screw fixed the problem and now they sit nice and tight.
Next I changed out the kobold clip on the bottom of the saber to a weathered variant made by, once again, Roy from Wanawanga! This was by far the most satisfying change. I do like Roman's clip, but it felt more TFA/TLJ in nature. Roy's has a more chunky, vintage feel and the damaged sides also look fantastic. Adding that 'lived in' aspect the OT props share.
Next was the top button.
As the years have passed, we have gained more and more knowledge on many of the Graflex based props. The Wampa Cave/Short bladed stunt is one of the only Graflex based sabers of the OT to use a early Folmer (thin band) button instead of the more well known fully knurled button seen through the rest of the films. Why this was seems to still have no answer. But it's a slight change I love and adapted to my replica. And as usual, Roman came through having released the replica early Folmer button.
Last, but not least, I moved the grips into the correct orientation. That being one of the grips sits almost perfectly underneath the right hand side of the clamp, or the area closest to the clamp lever.
Compared to the original
In this image, I brightened up the shadows and zoomed in. It's clear there is snow in the empty space of the clamp and that the grip sits, as mentioned, just underneath the right side of the clamp near the lever.
This build was beyond a joy to undertake! Sure, I could have kept the saber in it's "idealized" form. But where's the fun in that? Also having my ESB be in a lesser seen/known configuration makes my collection more personal and is an excellent conversation starter to anyone who has the keen eye for props, but not the wider knowledge...yet.
Here is the saber as it sits with my main display sabers.
(Note: this photo was taken the day before receiving the thin band top button)
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