MojaveTrooper Did I miss an announcement for Anakin Starkiller's Azarian saber? Where on Facebook is that?
Anakin ROTS Lightsaber comparison and discussion (Page 9, Post #164 for references)
- Thread starter MojaveTrooper
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He announced it on my Patreon.
7Chambers Aniflex Final Edition acquired,
I do have a plan to post a picture comparison with other hilts such as the Elite version, and also put together a video for a full-on review but for now here are my initial thoughts:
This one is truly the king of all Anakin saber replicas. All the way from the dimensional details, to the wonky features - There are so many things that set this one apart from the rest out there. Some of the things that stand out:
- Resin buttons for the First Auction configuration
- Sharpie'd Brass pin Section
- Raised Clampcard for the Second Auction configuration
- Different Emitter plugs for each configuration
- Different brass pins for each configuration
- Different grip length for each
I'm sure there's a few others that I'm forgetting to mention as we discover them. But it's also worth mentioning that this box truly feels like a Collector's box and is very different from the previous iterations, such as the texture. Also huge shout to BRRogers for contributing to some of the specialties about this hilt like the Sharpie'd Brass pin area and Clamp Card material.
With all this said, I am really glad to add this one to my collection. I know there have been many issues with7Chambers in the past as I have previously discussed earlier in this group, but I do think that with this one he is looking to turn it all around for the better. Truly, the Mother of all Anakins right here.
I do have a plan to post a picture comparison with other hilts such as the Elite version, and also put together a video for a full-on review but for now here are my initial thoughts:
This one is truly the king of all Anakin saber replicas. All the way from the dimensional details, to the wonky features - There are so many things that set this one apart from the rest out there. Some of the things that stand out:
- Resin buttons for the First Auction configuration
- Sharpie'd Brass pin Section
- Raised Clampcard for the Second Auction configuration
- Different Emitter plugs for each configuration
- Different brass pins for each configuration
- Different grip length for each
I'm sure there's a few others that I'm forgetting to mention as we discover them. But it's also worth mentioning that this box truly feels like a Collector's box and is very different from the previous iterations, such as the texture. Also huge shout to BRRogers for contributing to some of the specialties about this hilt like the Sharpie'd Brass pin area and Clamp Card material.
With all this said, I am really glad to add this one to my collection. I know there have been many issues with7Chambers in the past as I have previously discussed earlier in this group, but I do think that with this one he is looking to turn it all around for the better. Truly, the Mother of all Anakins right here.
Youngling Slayer Second Auction versus Aniflex Second Auction
An interesting detail that was added to the second auction - The Glasseye and Back Buttons are different "tones", just like the real prop!
Jediscum
Sr Member
It has been a long time so I'm a little fuzzy about it, and I could have sworn I had a photo but can't find it, but I believe the belt hanger in this deleted scene had this clamp card. All I could find now were these screenshots from the film where you can't make out much. But if you are up for going down the rabbit hole you may be able to find higher quality photos of this scene. I swear there is a clearer hi-def photo out there somewhere.
Additionally, the resin hilt on display at Celebration 3 had this clamp card as well.
Attachments
Amazing shots of that clamp card! Thank you!
sakanade
Well-Known Member
Could that be the Azarian on those first 3 photos? Doesn't look like chromed resin.
Aniflex FE (First Auction) vs. Aniflex Elite vs. Youngling Slayer (First Auction)
Awesome video!
This all just brings to mind the crazy levels of hair-splitting we do, around here. Are we making replicas of the filming props? Idealized versions of the fictional items? Where is the line drawn between screen-accurate and idealized?
It’s just so wonderfully bonkers to use Sharpie to color certain details, and to replicate the variants in buttons, endcaps, and bunny ear placement.
Of course, all of the different filming props (made from different materials, for different purposes, and with different levels of care and attention to detail) are varying representations of the platonic ideal of a single in-universe object. And, once you get deeply into the rabbit hole, it’s up to the individual to decide just what that platonic ideal actually is. Some people will want to replicate a very specific prop. Others want an idealized replica of the in-universe item.
Me, I have both the old Master Replicas release as well as an Aniflex V1 (with a few tweaks), and I find those sufficient. At least until Starkiller releases his aluminum Azarian collection replica.
This all just brings to mind the crazy levels of hair-splitting we do, around here. Are we making replicas of the filming props? Idealized versions of the fictional items? Where is the line drawn between screen-accurate and idealized?
It’s just so wonderfully bonkers to use Sharpie to color certain details, and to replicate the variants in buttons, endcaps, and bunny ear placement.
Of course, all of the different filming props (made from different materials, for different purposes, and with different levels of care and attention to detail) are varying representations of the platonic ideal of a single in-universe object. And, once you get deeply into the rabbit hole, it’s up to the individual to decide just what that platonic ideal actually is. Some people will want to replicate a very specific prop. Others want an idealized replica of the in-universe item.
Me, I have both the old Master Replicas release as well as an Aniflex V1 (with a few tweaks), and I find those sufficient. At least until Starkiller releases his aluminum Azarian collection replica.
I think I've always wanted these to be Prop Accurate, with a thinner neck, which is why I'll be keeping them static. But also because I already installed both my Youngling Slayer and Aniflex Elite. But I've come to have a preference recently - If I'm getting a static replica for display, I'd want it to be as Prop Accurate as possible. If I'm gonna install it, I won't mind too much that it's idealized.
sakanade
Well-Known Member
Perhaps in the future someone will tackle the auction hilts again but instead of metal we'll get actual chrome plated resin hilts.
This is where it starts getting really abstract. The new 7 Chambers release has authentic detailing, like the Sharpie coloring, but, at the end of the day, these are still chromed brass replicas designed for installs and/or as hefty and pretty-looking static display pieces. Truly accurate replicas (Azarian aside) would be chromed resin, which would NOT be install-friendly, and would be far less impressive as display pieces.
So…where is the line drawn? I say this not as a value judgement, mind you. I just find the intellectual exercise of it fascinating.
The harsh reality is that so many of our beloved props, models, and costumes are ROUGH. Asymmetrical, unfinished, painted details, tape/bolts holding them together, hand-sculpted, chipped, warped, etc. They are designed and built for one purpose and one purpose only: To look good on camera.
It can get to a point where the props/models/costumes are SO janky and SO crude that exact replicas would not necessarily match up with the mental image one has of an item, and would thus be disappointing.
For example, Vader’s helmet was hand-sculpted and cast in fiberglass, and hardcore fans love all of its quirks and asymmetries. But, in-universe, it would obviously be pristine and symmetrical, a la the ROTS reconstruction of it.
The helmet built in 1976 with the technology and limitations of the time REPRESENTED the in-universe mask. The hardcore fan wants to recreate every imperfection, but the casual fan just wants a Vader helmet, and they would surely be baffled by the two-tone paint scheme. Because, in-universe, the helmet is just black, without the asymmetrical gunmetal patches. Patches which were added for the sole purpose of helping the all-black mask read well on-camera, not as a design choice.
Like I said, it gets abstract!
