Swords collection update

A quickly entry with this collage with some of my Xena swords screenused and replicas. Which one is your favorite?

Left to right:

Indrajit sword prop
Amazon sword prop
Helicon queen sword replica
Helicon amazon sword replica
Roman short lion head sword prop
Skull sword prop
Xena hero metal sword replica
Xena hero metal retractable sword prop
Roman double lion head sword prop
Roman sword prop
Brunnhilda / Perdicus sword prop
Valkyrie sword prop
Wealthea sword prop
Xena evil sword prop
Centaur metal retractable sword prop
AFIN Xena sacred katana
AFIN Gabrielle katana

Screenused Wealthea stunt sword & sheath

Recently arrived this screenused Wealthea style sword used in the North episodes from season six and used by Xena played by Lucy Lawless in the episode "The Return of the Valkyrie", this episode was filmed in July 2000 in New Zealand so have passed 22 years since then.

This stunt sword combines hard resin in the handle with soft closed cell foam in the blade to avoid damages in the actors during fights. There is a metal rod inside the sword to prevent it from bending.

This sword was probably used in the scene when Xena fight Waltraute arround the fire circle where is a sleeping Gabrielle.

Handle close-up.

The sword is a quite long piece, probably the longest I have with the double head lion sword, read more...

It has a few damages in the blade, however the foam from the blade is in good condition after 22 years... This sword came with a Valkyrie style sheath made of real leather with a braid of rope around, that fits perfectly to the sword.

Sword and sheath.

Photos and screencaps:

Making Xena replicas: Xena Hero Sword

 After a few weeks working on the Xena sword finally I got it finished! Well, its been a hard job: 

Firstly, I have decided to make a resin sword with a cast of my screenused Xena sword, the main problem was that my screenused sword is a retractable one of a kind and I had to used just the handle piece of it. 

Then, I have cast the Todd's Costumes blade and make a few modifications to be differentiate from the original one, and do it as much accurate as I can to the screen used swords seen on the series.

Then, when the raw resin prototype was finished (no paua shells, no painting and no leather wrapping) I gave it to a blacksmith company that made the piece in raw metal. 

When I received the metal sword I had to sand it carefully, before painting I have to add the round concho that is originally attached to the pommel in the screenused sword. So, it was another challenge to find that specific piece, but I did, same size and shape. So, I had to attach the concho to the pommel before it is was painted.

Left to right: Prop replica / Screenused sword

To paint the handle in the right color was an absolutely nightmare. I found plenty of spray mixed tones: light gold, old gold, copper, gold copper... but the the color that I was searching for was a kind of orange gold tone, just the screenused Xena swords seen in the last seasons of the tv series. Finally, I had to order a special spray that mixed the orange gold tone with an extra 10% of yellow/gold painting. And finally, I got it! Was difficult but not imposible. Although, I have another metal raw sword that probably I will try to make the early season painting on it.

Then, I used black and green acrylic painting to make the aged effect and the final step was adding the paua shell in both sides and in the pommel. I already had a few of them at home so that was easy.

Hope you enjoy reading this post. See you soon with more updates!

Making Xena replicas: Breastdagger

 Hi guys! Today I want to share with you my last updates. I have recently started working with a blacksmith that is helping me to make a few metal replicas of my favourite Xena weapons.

Here I leave you a few photos of my Xena new metal breastdagger. In this case I worked over the patina making an aged and oxide effect with a shine blade and a red leather wrapping just like the screenused one. What do you think?