Sarednab's Story Grail Diary

Hi thegreatgalling,

first of all I want to let you know that I don't want to split the community. :confused :lol I only need some support for my buying decision.

I've just read your review regarding the Grail Diary, because DAVID wants to sell his own one.

My question is if you or someone else knows the differences between the
SAREDNAB’s and the STEFAN JONES grail diary?

As I saw I could snatch the STEFAN JONES one for only +/- 150 Euro (approx. 205 Dollar in the moment) plus 7 Euro shipping (we are both from Germany):)

DAVID like to get 285 Dollar + shipping to Germany I will end up to approx. 300 Dollar (nearby 220 Euro).

Is the SAREDNAB diary worth to pay the higher price in terms of quality/craftsmanship or has the STEFAN JONES one the same for less money?

greetings Repro


thegreatgalling said:
For the first time EVER, a prop replica actually left me speechless when it arrived.

That was Sarednab’s story grail diary.



After getting in the mail, and spending an entire day looking through it and reading it, I wanted to write my feelings. The longer I have been a part of the RPF, the more I have come to seek and expect high quality items.

It means a lot for me to say this, but this is by far the best prop replica I have ever owned. Yeah, it is that good. Out of every single piece I have stashed in a box or displayed on a perch, in over fifteen years of collecting, this is the crème ala crème. It is worth by far every single penny (I actually felt guilty for paying so little after seeing it), and I am grateful I ordered it when I did.

To help illustrate how amazing his work really is, here is my breakdown:


Overall appearance: First and foremost, the book arrived in the mail safely and wrapped very well, always important. Removing the bubble wrap, I found the diary wrapped as it was in the film with the brown paper, realistic stamps, and Indy’s address. As soon as I opened the wrapping, I knew the diary was special. It just FEELS like the diary. The cover was perfectly aged (not too much, not too little), and the leather was SOFT. Taking the elastic band off, and opening it, I was STRUCK with its quality, it’s hard to explain, but it utterly blew me away.



Accuracy: Even though I went for the story prop, the pages in the Archives book were also included in mine as per my request. Comparing Sarednab’s book with the photos we all know of the diary will produce euphoria. To me they are dead on. Sarednab has found a handwriting I feel is very true to Henry Jones.



Quality: Sarednab is quick to note his book is printed. Well, you could have fooled me! His pages are very crisp and dark. I looked at each page as if a heavy fountain pen etched strong deep lines and not as if it came out of a printer (I like that black space is uniformly filled). I thought the rich black color of the ink made each page POP. The handwriting, which is a font, is absolutely believable. I would not have known each word was not hand written unless Sarednab told me.

With regard to aging, each page is perfectly aged. Again, not too much and not too little. The pages were flat and crispy, not wavy as I have seen in other books. I know Sarednab has improved his aging techniques and I was fortunate to get a next generation book with his new techniques.

The inserts are all aged and produced with a lot of care. I asked for some not glued in case I wanted to swap them out, but after seeing them, his inserts are strong enough to stand on there own.

The binding is professionally done by him, and I know it will last forever. The pages are flat, even, and secure.



Customer Service: Want a cover that is only slightly aged? Want a brand new book without aging? Want it very aged? Want no inserts? Want them glued? Here is by far the best part of this purchase. Sarednab is probably the kindest person I have dealt with. He is quick to respond to PMs, ALWAYS provides updates without needing to ask, and sends photos of your diary upon requests. He will tell you, I was a pain. When I first PMed him, I sent him a LONG list of requests from cover aging, to page order. After reading his response and seeing more photos, I threw out most of these requests. They were unnecessary, he knows what he is doing and you can rest assured you will receive a terrific item. He did accommodate my request to substitute a page here and there to match the Archives book and he did so happily. If you want more pics, PM Sarednab, I am sure he would be happy to oblige.

Thank you Sarednab.

So far, I own his grail diary and Abner Journal. I hope he moves on to other movies as well!

See pics and more info here:
My Grail Diary - HERO PROP
Click to expand...
 
No idea, somebody? Please, need help... :cry



Repro said:
Hi thegreatgalling,

first of all I want to let you know that I don't want to split the community. :confused :lol I only need some support for my buying decision.

I've just read your review regarding the Grail Diary, because DAVID wants to sell his own one.

My question is if you or someone else knows the differences between the
SAREDNAB’s and the STEFAN JONES grail diary?

As I saw I could snatch the STEFAN JONES one for only +/- 150 Euro (approx. 205 Dollar in the moment) plus 7 Euro shipping (we are both from Germany):)

DAVID like to get 285 Dollar + shipping to Germany I will end up to approx. 300 Dollar (nearby 220 Euro).

Is the SAREDNAB diary worth to pay the higher price in terms of quality/craftsmanship or has the STEFAN JONES one the same for less money?

greetings Repro
Click to expand...
 
Hi Repro...

if you like some more informations about our HERO Diary you may have a look here
http://www.therpf.com/f9/hero-diary-indiana-jones-finished-show-off-pic-heavy-89279/

As for help in decission i am not the right person, so you should try to get some infos. and comments here at RPF or the german indy forum...Dt. Indiana Jones Fan Forum » Prop Sektion » Gralstagebuch (Hero Version) - FERTIG !!! 22.6.2010

Ah... Sarednab offers a Hero AND a Story Diary, while ours is the Hero Diary. Anyhow...Sarednabs work is outstanding. Very hard to decide....

@thegreatgalling sorry do not want to hi-jack your thread. Hope that it is ok post some links to our Diary. If not, pls let me know and i delet this post. Thanks.
 
Hi MurdocXXL,

thanks for the info mate :cheers

PM sent!



MurdocXXL said:
Hi Repro...

if you like some more informations about our HERO Diary you may have a look here
http://www.therpf.com/f9/hero-diary-indiana-jones-finished-show-off-pic-heavy-89279/

As for help in decission i am not the right person, so you should try to get some infos. and comments here at RPF or the german indy forum...Dt. Indiana Jones Fan Forum » Prop Sektion » Gralstagebuch (Hero Version) - FERTIG !!! 22.6.2010

Ah... Sarednab offers a Hero AND a Story Diary, while ours is the Hero Diary. Anyhow...Sarednabs work is outstanding. Very hard to decide....

@thegreatgalling sorry do not want to hi-jack your thread. Hope that it is ok post some links to our Diary. If not, pls let me know and i delet this post. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
I just placed my order for one of these - it's been on my "To Buy" list for so long I feel so relieved I'm finally getting one!
I'm still going back and forth with some PMs about weather I want the "Story" or "Hero" book, but I'm leaning more towards the story book.
Really looking forward to this piece as I have read and seen nothing but good things about it.
 
I'm surprised I somehow missed this thread before.... What a fantastic review!!

Everything you have said from what I have seen is so true. I will be the very proud owner of one of Sarednabs Great Hero Diaries in the new year!! :love

If you think you were a pain asking him many questions I bet I can equal the never ending questions and requests I sent him!! :lol But as with you, I also recieved detailed replies that show Sarednab certainly knows his business! Most of my requests or questions were answered to perfection and had already been addressed in his new diaries.

I have dealt with several people over the years buying props, and like you mentioned Sarednab is more than happy to take the time to speak with you, to explain and answer any questions or queries you have.

I looked long and hard at the other diaries out there before making my decision on who's diary I wanted in my collection. For me personally I only buy the best props available, and for me this will be one of them.

When the time comes I will be posting my review, but I think you have covered everything that could be said of such an amazing prop and talented prop maker!

GeordieIndy
 
Hi. I totally missed your message to me in here Repro, I am very sorry to not have responded earlier. Please feel free to PM me anytime as I do check those frequently.

I can't really speak to a comparison because I only own Sarednab's diary, so I should let someone else comment about Stefan's in a review thread (Stefan is also a great guy). My best suggestion is to compare pics to make your decision, as I sent numerous PMs and saw many pictures of other diaries at the time before I settled on Sarednab's. I'd be happy to PM you more pics of my diary (as I am sure Sarednab would be). I was over the moon happy with mine.

Also, I don't think of it as splitting the community. The more high quality props out there, the better.
 
Last edited:
I'm going for the Hero version. As much as I would have loved to have a readable story version, the stickler in me really NEEDS accuracy to the original prop so I'm confident I made the right decision.
Either way, the replica will be worth the wait and I will be sure to post photos and my own review when it arrives.
 
I just received Sarednab's Story Grail Diary. It is the greatest prop I have purchased to date.

Please see my review here:

http://www.therpf.com/f9/my-grail-diary-hero-prop-60009/index2.html#post1518892

Post #47 on page 2

SerednabsGrailDiary.jpg


Best,
DBCooper
 
thegreatgalling said:
Hi. I totally missed your message to me in here Repro, I am very sorry to not have responded earlier. Please feel free to PM me anytime as I do check those frequently.

I can't really speak to a comparison because I only own Sarednab's diary, so I should let someone else comment about Stefan's in a review thread (Stefan is also a great guy). My best suggestion is to compare pics to make your decision, as I sent numerous PMs and saw many pictures of other diaries at the time before I settled on Sarednab's. I'd be happy to PM you more pics of my diary (as I am sure Sarednab would be). I was over the moon happy with mine.

Also, I don't think of it as splitting the community. The more high quality props out there, the better.
Click to expand...

Just read your answer. No problem. :)

In the meantime I've received the Stefan Jones/MurdocXXL diary. And I have to say it's a great prop, very well done!
 
I just received my Story version in the mail yesterday and I couldnt be any more excited about it.. I flipped through and everything seems perfect..The aging of the pages and inserts look perfect.. I cant wait to start reading it!
 
Just wanted to add to this thread that I received my Grail Diary(story version) from Sarednab and it is a true work of art. The detail is amazing. Very much worth it :)
 
Well I feel a little lax for not posting sooner as I have both the story and prop versions of Sarednab's Grail diaries. I will use the excuse of busted fingers lol You don't wanna know how long it takes me to type this even this much lol

I couldn't agree more with all the nice and accurate comments on both the craftmanship and overall authentic "feel" of these diaries. I have had a few diaries myself and the fact that Sarednab is such a gentleman to deal with makes owning one or more of his work all the sweeter.

I have found him to be the most honest, accomodating and generous maker and now count him as a friend.

He always goes out of his way to help. I also can vouch for his work ethic in regards to raising the bar having worked with him on a new project.

Sarednab...you are one of the folks that gives this hobby a "good" name for a change, mate. Well done and.....respect!

Best
TAZ
 
Many many thanks to all for all these positive comments and many many thanks to one of the "best friend" that I ever meet on internet: Taz! Really my friend... I'll never stop to say you THANKS! :)

I'm honored to work with you for our new project! ;)
 
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