Tag: Mortal Instruments

Some Questions for Shadowhunter Fans

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.

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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. 😉

Short Swords Cut and Ready for Shaping!

Just a wee update to let you all take a peek at what I’m working on right now.

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Care and Maintenance of Your Seraph Blade

Acrylic is a hardy, robust material and for this reason, the Shadowhunter blades I make rarely suffer any kind of damage. I have actually kicked one of my show blades to show a disbelieving ComicCon security guard that it was not, in fact, glass.

That said, the swords sometimes get surface scratches and bits of paint from dinging into walls and being pulled in and out of their sheaths at the convention hall. Fortunately, it is quite easy to fix these.

I’ll show you how with one of my favourite blades: Azrael.

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This blade is the first of its design. My good friend Sister Verbena brought it to me in her suitcase when she visited this past weekend. As expected, it had a few surface scuffs. I suspect baggage handlers amuse themselves by playing kickball with luggage when no one is looking.

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Workshop is Operational!

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Yeaaaaaah! That feels good. First cut done on a couple new short swords. I had to use a hack-saw to shorten the long piece of plastic because it wouldn’t fit on the bandsaw’s table. Mo’ plastic mo’ problems? Meh.

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These are my new babies. Belt sander and band saw respectively. They still need to be bolted to the table. And I’d REALLY like to get some sound proofing in the workshop before I fire these things up because they’re quite loud. I have some contoured foam incoming to attach to the wall so my neighbours will hate me a little less. Hopefully.

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To give you an idea of how hard acrylic plastic is, this was a brand new hack saw. Was. So, for those of you wondering “could I possibly do this project without a band saw?” Yes. Yes you can. But you will need plenty of blades to switch in when they wear out.

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I’m not kidding. This one is for cutting metal. So if you’re making one or two Seraph Blades for yourself, a hack saw will do for the rough cuts provided you have enough sheer stubbornness and elbow grease to get through it.

For those of you waiting on orders thank you for your patience. If my health will just continue to improve and my machines cooperate nicely, I should be back in the shop regularly soon.

Fresh Batch Of Acrylic

Woo! It arrived!

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Inside this violently yellow package is a tightly-wrapped bundle of ten acrylic slabs. Yes, it’s heavy. About 50lbs. The delivery fella wasn’t sure I could carry it but luckily I lift weights. All that exercise has gotta be good for something!

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Will it be 10 longswords? Will it be 20 short swords? Or perhaps 30 daggers? It could be a mix of all three!

Stay tuned to find out what’s coming next from the Adamant Studio…

Materials Arriving Tomorrow!

The raw adamas (acrylic) is set to arrive at the Adamant Studio tomorrow! I can’t wait!

Clear Acrylic

My new distributor is VINK and their slogan “passion for plastics” caught my eye immediately. They’re significantly more expensive than my previous supplier Johnston Plastics but seeing as I’m now located in Helsinki, Finland, my options are limited. Still, I’ll do my best to keep prices affordable for all my fellow Shadowhunter fans.

So all you fantastic folks who have placed orders for this upcoming autumn, rejoice! The re-establishment of the Studio is coming together on schedule and I’ll be able to get crafting as soon as my tools arrive. I’ll keep you posted on arrival dates and my crafting progress as per usual.

Until the next update: this is the Adamant Studio signing off!

Furnishing the Workshop

It’s happeniiiiiiing! Just placed an order last night and my new babies are on their way to me.

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A nice badass belt sander …

band saw

And a big ol’ band saw.

For a tough material like acrylic, nothing of lesser calibre will do. As soon as I have these and my plastics in hand, I can get to crafting. Stay tuned for more news.

Special Announcement

The Adamant Studio has received word that Julie is in need of a Seraph Blade to commemorate her birthday. In honour of this occasion, a short-sword has been commissioned and designed by the Studio to properly arm her against the powers of darkness.

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It is now in the first stages of its creation. We will keep you posted on its progress. Until then, continue protecting your family and the nation of Norway from demonic forces. Good luck Hunter.

This is the Adamant Studio, signing off.

News from the Adamant Studio

My freshly-acquired workshop!

It’s not much to look at right now but we just signed the lease yesterday. I’ve managed to secure a headquarters large enough to have a dedicated workshop. If all goes according to plan, the Adamant Studio will soon been in operation once again and I can start making new Seraph Blades! Can’t wait!

Stay tuned for more news and, as always, happy hunting.

The Forging of Azrael

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At long last, I am pleased to present you with the Seraph blade Azrael. It’s been finished for some time now, but I have only had a chance to post about it now.

Azrael is the largest and longest blade I have ever crafted at the time of this posting. Its total length comes in at a whopping 30 inches. It can be wielded with one hand or two though due to it’s length and weight, I recommend using both hands.

This was the last blade to be forged in the Adamant Studio in Montreal before I moved to Finland and I’d like to share with you the making of my favourite sword to date.

Continue reading “The Forging of Azrael”