Hi guys! I watched the trailer for the upcoming Shadowhunters TV series and I’m really excited to watch it. January can’t come soon enough!
I noticed that the prop designers for this incarnation of Cassandra Clare’s creation decided to put opaque, metallic or wooden hilts on the Seraph Blades. There are also runes engraved into the handles.
The blades in the TV series also spring from the hilt when engaged, much like a lightsaber. That would be far beyond my crafting capabilities. (I’m creative but I’m not a freaking warlock.) However, making opaque handles is well within the scope of possibility. Another nice thing about an opaque hilt is that it’s possible to install a light inside to make the blade glow. In a perfectly clear blade, there’s nowhere to hide such a thing except in the palm of a glove.
My questions are: Would you be interested in seeing me craft some TV series style Seraph Blades? Which do you prefer: the movie style or the TV style? Also, for those who like cosplaying Alec Lightwood, would you be interested in adamas arrow-heads?
Feel free to answer in the comments and let me know what you’d like to see next from the Adamant Studio. Safe hunting. 😉
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I would love to see the TV show blades made, as well as Alec arrowheads! What would the price range be, though?
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Hm! Now that’s an interesting question. I would think about 15 USD for an un-engraved arrowhead. Probably broadheads, as that would make the most sense for demon-hunting, and you’d probably want a nice big arrowhead to look cool in photographs.
The TV blades are mostly the same as the ones I make with the exception of the hilt. There’s a few ways I can execute that look. I can wrap them in leather, wet-shape the ridges of the grip/pommel/etc, and carve the desired runes with leather detailing tools. Leather can be painted pretty much any colour you want and sealed. I would have to find a leather supplier in Finland. Obviously, price would strongly hinge on how expensive the leather is, but I have experience working with leather so it wouldn’t be a huge learning curve.
I could do it with wood. That would involve a bit of fiddling to get the fittings right. Would be nice and sturdy. Would require the purchase of some new tools of course. I’m not sure if it would end up being more or less expensive than the leather. Hmm!
I could also do it with a polymer clay such as Sculpey or Femo. Less durable but easier to work with Fitting it to the tang of the blade (the bit that goes inside the hilt) would be much easier than wood given that I could simply shape it around the tang, take it off, bake it, and put it back on. A package of Sculpey here in Helsinki runs about 20ish euro if I remember correctly. As for hours required to shape it … hmm. I would have to guess and fiddle with it. I estimate four hours for sculpting, baking, and cooling. Painting, probably another four … then the glaze. My biggest worry with the polymer clay is whether or not it would break with handling. I’d have to experiment. Yay experimenting!
Some folks will likely suggest resin casting. And that’s a fantastic idea! I have neither the equipment nor any experience with doing it.
I could surely give it a shot. I love learning new stuff!
In terms of lighting the sword, a small LED is pretty inexpensive, even in Finland. I don’t think it would add any more than 10 or 15 bucks to the price. The most challenging thing would be fitting it in the handle and concealing it.
Sorry I took so long to respond! I kept getting interrupted mid-post. Grr! I can give more accurate prices when I find the materials and start playing with them. 🙂
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That all sounds so exciting! If you ever did decide to make a blade like that or an arrowhead, I’d be one of your first customers, for sure.
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I just have to say that I am in love with your work! Hopefully I will be buying from you very soon. Personally, I think you should consider making the tv blades because of the hilt. To me, the hilt is the coolest part because it gives you the feeling of the desired control you intend to have with the blade.
I am really interested in a clary blade if you know what that is…but you should lol because you posed a photo of jace’s blade next to clary’s. But i’ll get back to you on that… anyways, I just wanted to say that you are very talented and that I admire your work!
I hope your day has been as well as mine~Abbie
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Hurray! I’ll be happy to work with you on a Clary blade. Making cool stuff for cool people; man I love my job. 🙂 Anyhow, you’re in luck. I’ve started making TV show blades for the folks who want them. With the covered hilt, I’m able to conceal an LED light inside. A little squeeze on the handle in the right spot and the sword lights up as if by the wielder’s will alone. Quite a dramatic effect.
I am indeed having a lovely day. There is actually sunshine for the first time in … weeks. It still exists! Confirmed.
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If you were to do the arrowheads in acrylic how would that relate to the shaft and fletching of the completed project? Would you use wood or would you craft the entire shaft from acrylic as well? I love archery and like to make my own arrows and bows from the natural findings one comes across outside. Adding Alec to my fictional archers collection would be awesome. Side note: If you make each arrow of entirely acrylic would it be strong enough to withstand an actual bow test? Seems like you have a lot of experimenting to do! Have fun! I know I always do when crafting. (Also have you attempted steles?)
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Hm, I’d do the shafts of wood or carbon fibre. I have serious concerns about crafting them out of acrylic entirely. I could possibly do so if I had a lathe to ensure that it was completely straight and even but still, wood or carbon fibre would be much, much lighter and function better in flight. I would likely get pre-fabricated shafts and affix the tips. Or possibly just sell the arrowheads. I’ve done a bit of research on how arrows are put together but I’ve not had enough time to actually experiment with them. Commissions keep me crazy busy! Once I’m done with my secret project, I should have some more time to play with new stuff.
I have actually done steles, yes. They’re pretty easy.
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no real questions. just omg yes 😀
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