Thank you for your interest in these replica blades. They are all carefully and accurately crafted by me in my spare time. This is only a hobby though, so I can’t afford to devote too much time to them.
Now that spring is here though, and the weather is warming up, I have decided to take on a limited number of orders this year. I don’t have enough free time to fill everyone’s order, so in an effort to be fair, at the end of each month I will post one set on EBay. If you win, you get the finished props immediately. Or, if you would prefer to be put on a waiting list, which could be several months long, you can fill out the form below and place a 50% deposit towards your prop.
I don’t often do special request props, as they take a significantly long time to make. But I do have a process section on the site that shows how things are done. And, I should have a full tutorial DVD available later this year if you’re interested in saving some money and learning how to do this on your own. If you have any specific questions, please read through all the information below before emailing me. I get a lot of emails, and it often takes a very long time to respond to them. Thanks!
Current Auction:
(Link posted last week of May)
Order form:
(should be available in June)
How much do the swords usually cost?
The swords generally range from $400-$600 depending on size, detail, materials, and time required to make them. I have made unpainted versions as well, which usually cost about $100-$200 as they take far less time to make, and don't require good weather to paint outside.
What makes fiberglass so great?
Fiberglass cost more and takes a lot more effort and skill to work with and polish smooth, but yields a much higher and more durable surface than other materials. It also doesn't get brittle and break as easily as clay or sculpy, so it will last for years in your collection. It also resists dents and chips far more than wood, and especially foam. Overall, these props are built for collectors who want an accurate and sturdy replica, but are also ideal for cosplayers who need convention safe blades that look and feel like real steel swords.
What is the difference between painted and un-painted replicas?
The painted ones are the swords currently on the site, and come fully ready to cosplay or wall mount. The un-painted ones however are for fans who don't quite have a budget to afford the finished swords, but would love to have one and are willing to paint it on their own. The paint I use generally costs about $200, and requires a full HVLP system to apply it. Where as the unpainted ones I ship fully finished, primed, and ready to take any paint you wish to apply.
Can you make armor or other accessories?
Swords are the main focus. I have made Ryo's full Ronin Warrior armor, so I know how, but it just takes too long and is really difficult to custom fit pieces to someone I've never seen. Instead, I have an excellent ‘how to’ section so you can learn on your own, or at least see how much work goes into a suit of armor. If you're really intersted in having armor made though... it'll probably be a few thousand dollars for a Hollywood quality set of armor.
How accurate is each prop?
I generally do whatever it takes to make the prop look completely accurate to the original design. I look through many many reference pictures and cross check them to see what the most common traits are since not every drawing is the same. I also try to follow the original concept art, but in certain cases I side with the CG models if that's all that is available. I also try to scale the prop to the character who uses it in the show. So if the sword is as tall as a 4' girl, the sword should be 4' in real life.
How strong are the blades?
The swords are made with rigid urethane resin, steel or aluminum reinforced, finished with durable automotive paint, and generally hold up to average convention handling. Also, since these blades are structurally reinforced, they shouldn't break if dropped or thrown around. However, they may get scratched , chipped, or cracked if beat against hard surfaces. In the event that damage does occur though, a similar color sharpie, or just black, seems to work well enough for disguising any blemishes. Caution though, as with most props, leaving in direct sunlight for long periods of time may cause slight warping.
If you have any questions or comments though, you can reach me at the following email address. Due to the number of emails I receive though, it may take a while before I can reply. Blademaster@fiberglassblades.com
Disclaimer:
- Fiberglass Blades (and myself) assume no responsibility for injuries, damages or loss incurred by anything that is sold.
- Props are for display/cosplay purposes only, and not for fighting. Damage caused by abuse is owners’ responsibility.
- If you do accidentally damage your prop though, I can work with you on repairs.
All images rendered by me, designs copyright to their respective owners
Layout Design -January 2006