Tomenosuke arrives in the UK from the USA :-)

[PartyRichter]

Some may be interested to learn that first my Off World Blaster (+extra duty charge of £28), and just today, my Tomenosuke Blaster Pro (+extra duty charge of £167!! *OUCH*) got through UK customs just fine, after a nail-biting couple of weeks.

When I first contacted Hollywood Collectibles in the USA they assured me they had no problems shipping them here, and as they promised, they had included a letter taped to the box stating in clear terms that this is very much a non-firing movie prop replica. To say I'm relieved is an understatement, particularly after hearing about one or two confiscations.

What was even more amazing was the the box had been opened and inspected by customs, then resealed with a yellow label saying it had been examined, and they apparently didn't bat an eyelid at the dummy rounds either. 'Go figure'...as my American friends might say...

And the piece is fantastic. I actually like my Off World a lot, despite its flaws...but the Tomenosuke is truly gorgeous. And heavy! Of course, if I'm feeling brave enough I will attempt to polish/blue the receiver and barrel at some point, but the matt black doesn't look too bad. It looks lighter in photos where the light source is shining directly on it. Anyway, here are a couple of pics of both the Off World and the Tomenosuke. There is a slight size discrepancy, but it looks more pronounced in the pics due to the angle I took them...

 

[Johnnyfl]

Very nice and glad they got through customs OK. :thumbsup

 

[joberg]

Good catch, specially in the U.K.

 

[Buch]

Happy to hear!!!!

 

[corellian77]

I can never get enough Blade Runner blaster photos. Congrats on the acquisition!

 

[Christof]

Nice! I just received my own Off World version and I am quite pleased. And of course immediately after started looking at the Tomenosuke hah. Glad to hear you didn't have issues!

 

[Yorkie Fett]

Yep, the bizarre world of UK customs. Doesn't appear to be any sort of consistency when it comes to ordering from abroad.

I got a couple of the Tomensuke kits shipped from Japan. No problems, straight through to the UK.

Then I read a couple of other people had had their (same) kits confiscated. In fact, I think one person actually had a visit from the police as they'd been reported by customs for importing a Replica firearm (the threads probably still here).

Glad they let your built up version through. Looks like common sense has prevailed!

 

[Kylash]

Does it feel like the deluxe Off-World is worth the $400? I've been mulling it over for weeks, but there is so much plastic on it I'm not sure I can justify the price. And that comparison really shows how off the grips are.

 

[mutronics]

Congratulations!! It must have been a tense wait!

 

[PartyRichter]

Does it feel like the deluxe Off-World is worth the $400? I've been mulling it over for weeks, but there is so much plastic on it I'm not sure I can justify the price. And that comparison really shows how off the grips are.

It's not perfect, but I actually do like the Off World. The version that is currently on eBay has the metal receiver, grips, triggers, and frame, which adds a good feel of authenticity. In its defence, it doesn't feel too plasticky, has a good solid trigger pull action, and the chrome butt-plate is nice. And bear in mind that the Tomenosuke has some plastic parts too. Is it worth $400? Possibly not...but I think it's a good placeholder if one has the ability to save up for a 'Tom.

 

[Kylash]

Does the cylinder turn when you pull the trigger on the Off-World? Does anything rattle or feel loose? I've seen some where the cylinder doesn't seem to close tightly.

 

[PartyRichter]

The cylinder on the Off World doesn't turn when you pull the trigger...but construction-wise, nothing feels loose or rattly. The cylinder closes well enough, although I did have an issue where the release pin wasn't screwed in tightly enough and fell out....but RPF member Sean advised me on how to fix it.

Conversely, the Tomenosuke rattles a bit...but I think that's mostly the dummy rounds and the bolt lever, which is a bit floppy (but I believe this can be remedied). One slightly irritating thing with it is that the right amber grip rubs against the metal side piece on the Tomenosuke, making a creaking/rubbing sound whenever I hold it. Maybe there's a fix for that too.

p.s. Here's a pic that shows a better grip/handle size comparison:

 

[Sean]

The cylinder on the Off World doesn't turn when you pull the trigger...but construction-wise, nothing feels loose or rattly. The cylinder closes well enough, although I did have an issue where the release pin wasn't screwed in tightly enough and fell out....but RPF member Sean advised me on how to fix it.

Conversely, the Tomenosuke rattles a bit...but I think that's mostly the dummy rounds and the bolt lever, which is a bit floppy (but I believe this can be remedied). One slightly irritating thing with it is that the right amber grip rubs against the metal side piece on the Tomenosuke, making a creaking/rubbing sound whenever I hold it. Maybe there's a fix for that too.

p.s. Here's a pic that shows a better grip/handle size comparison:

View attachment 597076

Is the grip loose?

 

[Marv]

Yep, the bizarre world of UK customs. Doesn't appear to be any sort of consistency when it comes to ordering from abroad.

I got a couple of the Tomensuke kits shipped from Japan. No problems, straight through to the UK.

Then I read a couple of other people had had their (same) kits confiscated. In fact, I think one person actually had a visit from the police as they'd been reported by customs for importing a Replica firearm (the threads probably still here).

Glad they let your built up version through. Looks like common sense has prevailed!

It was destroyed !

 

[PartyRichter]

Is the grip loose?

On the Tom? No...I screwed both grips in tight. It's just that the protruding part at the top of the right grip seems to be rubbing against the metal housing where the bolt lever sits, and due to the weight of the gun, it makes the creaking sound when moved around. I inserted a small piece of paper into that gap, which helps.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm really sorry to hear that, Marv I hope you've since been able to satisfy your blaster interest...

 

[Sean]

On the Tom? No...I screwed both grips in tight. It's just that the protruding part at the top of the right grip seems to be rubbing against the metal housing where the bolt lever sits, and due to the weight of the gun, it makes the creaking sound when moved around. I inserted a small piece of paper into that gap, which helps.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm really sorry to hear that, Marv I hope you've since been able to satisfy your blaster interest...

The side plate may need some delicate tightening also. not sure what would be causing that.

 

[Hirohawa]

So no orange tip is needed to pass through UK Customs if shipped from the US?

 

[PartyRichter]

Not that I'm aware of. I've been lucky enough to have two Tomenosukes arrive from the USA with no issues.

I could be wrong, but I believe the orange tip is something specific to eBay only...if someone in the UK is buying anything resembling a gun.

 

[Flyscriber]

I also had a metal blaster delivered a couple of weeks ago into the UK from Italy. I had the same "have I just lost my money and blaster " feeing, but it came through ok. I have aso had deliveries of Denix into the UK, so I have been lucky and had no dramas as yet.
The Bladerunner Blaster is an all metal Sid Kit version. It was in a really poor state when I got it, purple crackel paint with black all over it, thank god they didn't paint the grips.


I stripped it completely and soaked everything in thinners to remove all traces of paint. Nearly every thread had been ripped out of the thing, so all 3mm and 4mm threads were redone with brass inserts. The main receiver "steyr" part had been broken just where the breach handle "sorry I don't know the real term" comes out, and "fixed" by someone with solder, which didn't take the bluing at all, so all that had to be removed and the patched area filed polished, hence the no "made in". so I had to be creative and add some small screws hidden behind the side plates to secure it nice and tight. I blued the barrel with Aluminium Black" (which came out really nice and light, not to black) and other parts in accordance to the "adam meets the bladerunner blaster" on you tube, and painted the side covers etc in satin black.
Now its looking a lot better, the leds work, although it is missing the green ones. And I guess this is a "clean gun" as it has no number on the barrel. Undercover Mercenary version.

Finaly I made a stand for it and decorated it with a few official looking stamps and a steyr logo. But theres always more to do to it, I just feel happy that it managed to get here ok, now im thinking if I should try again with another version.
How many people out there in the UK have these? Did anyone loose theirs because of customs? I would be interested to know.