The Operatives Sword by NeoDoug1

That'd be so awesome, having that sword, i too am something of a sword kinda guy, i don't really collect them, i own a bunch, and i've made a couple of my own design, but owning that sword, which is just totally sweet looking to start with, would be....sweet! lol

The Pyro - 1 l0\/3 53r3n1ty!

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:14 PM

You can place an order for it here:

http://budk.com/product.asp?pn=BK605&bhcd2=1128990242

Please note that the movie version is slightly different in that it doesn't appear to have the logo on it, and the grip is different.

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:18 PM

Also found this:

Order link is here:
http://budk.com/product.asp?pn=BK649

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:24 PM

thats awesome, but $20? are you sure they're not just pieces of shit?

The Pyro - 1 l0\/3 53r3n1ty!

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:27 PM

They're constructed from 420 steel, whatever that means (not a big sword buff myself.)

If it helps, pretty much the only stuff that breaks the $50 mark on that site (or most similar sites I've seen) are licensed (LotR, etc.) merchandise.

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:46 PM

THEGREYJEDI

oh, don't be fooled. Nearly all the Bud K stuff is display perty for redneck sharp object enthusiasts. It's all pretty much cast stainless steel. No folding.

But then, I'm a weapons snob.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Chief Engineer - USS SereniTREE
http://tomeofgrey.blogspot.com
http://www.cafepress.com/thegreyjedi
Real Fans Wait - 09/30/05

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:48 PM

Alright, cool, it was more of a hypothetcial question, srry, i didn't really think you could fully answer the question, from what i can rememeber 420 is pretty thick/strong yes?....still that $20 makes me unsure,.....Yes! i am a bonified LOTR fan, way before the thought a movie poped into any ones head, those movies are awesome, the best movies made outta books i ever seen, stayed very true to the books. Any way i wouldn't expect any of that memoriobilia (how ever you happen to spell it) would be cheap.

The Pyro - 1 l0\/3 53r3n1ty!

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:52 PM

Really, it only matters if you plan on using it, right? Hell, you could even use it as part of a costume if you wanted. Not like yer gonna be gettin' stabby with it.

I'm gonna buy me a set once I have the cash.

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:52 PM

so....grey jedi, whats the low down on 420 steal? I've seen strong enough stuff that wasn't folded, its not great but its not a piece of crap.

The Pyro - 1 l0\/3 53r3n1ty!

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Monday, October 10, 2005 2:56 PM

man, three in one go.....lol....what! the operative......why wouldn't you want to sharpen it and play with it, :). unless its like limited edition, mega huge 1000 dollar stuff? I bought a $80 Scottish Dirk once at a Ren. Fest.....its so pretty :), i havent shparpened yet, but just know one day im going to get bored of just looking at it and i will make it sharp :). Not in a murderous, evil way though :). First i have to be able to fully wield it though, so i don't cut off any apendages :)

The Pyro - 1 l0\/3 53r3n1ty!

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Monday, October 10, 2005 3:12 PM

AVTOMATJ

Basically, 420 and 440 stainless steel aren't good steels for edged weapons. They don't hold an edge worth a damn and are very brittle. Swords made out of them tend to bend and break very easily.

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Monday, October 10, 2005 7:10 PM

all right, that settles that.....nvm then, lol. What kinda steal do you suggest Avtomat? for swords, daggers, etc....edged weapons?

The Pyro

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Monday, October 10, 2005 8:02 PM

FIRELILY

My brother has a katana from the Last Samurai and it was about $20. (knockoff, i don't know about official ones) anyway, it looked nice, but on closer look there are certain marks of quality it doesn't have (not to mention it was EXTREMELY blade-heavy).
but overall, a pretty solid piece, if you just wanted to have fun with it and/or look at it, it's fine for the price. I can only assume the one you saw for Serenity is the same idea

_________________________________________________________
"Now they see sky, and they remember what they are."

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Monday, October 10, 2005 10:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ThePyro:
thats awesome, but $20? are you sure they're not just pieces of shit?

Any blade over 2" long for under $20 is a piece of shit, and even then you're pushing it.

Of course, if you just want to hang it on the wall it could be plastic, for all of that.

Also, I'm pretty sure the operative's sword doesn't look like that one. His blade had some curve and lacked the crazy forefinger guard.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005 3:50 AM

NEODOUG1

Those swords look great (the first one has a very similar blade, from what I can tell) but the unfortunately grip is totally different.

Also, I've just noticed that they're charging $20 (approx. £11.50) for the pair! I'd be scared to touch them, in case they fell apart in my hands! I'd rather pay around £100 for an officially licensed product, of high quality. A few years ago I paid £120 for a copy of the sword from the Highlander series (now the official ones cost a lot more). There's a shop just down the road from me selling cheap copies of the same sword for about £20. The only problem is, when you hold it, you get the impression that the weight of the blade alone is enough to snap the resin handle! Cheap tat - but I guess to a degree you get what you pay for...

A bit of an animal... but which bit?!?

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005 3:58 AM

NEODOUG1

Quote:
Originally posted by Tiger:
Also, I'm pretty sure the operative's sword doesn't look like that one. His blade had some curve and lacked the crazy forefinger guard.

If you've got the Official Visual Companion book, look at page 150 - this is the clearest pictue I've found so far of the sword. you can see it's got a straight blade, and it does have the finger guard...

For those who don't have the book, here's a scan of the pic:

______________________________________
A bit of an animal... but which bit?!?
(I know - it's not a Firefly quote, but what the hey...!)

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005 4:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by NeoDoug1:
Quote:
Originally posted by Tiger:
Also, I'm pretty sure the operative's sword doesn't look like that one. His blade had some curve and lacked the crazy forefinger guard.

If you've got the Official Visual Companion book, look at page 150 - this is the clearest pictue I've found so far of the sword. you can see it's got a straight blade, and it does have the finger guard...

For those who don't have the book, here's a scan of the pic:

Right, like I said, definitely a straight blade with a nice big guard on it. Exactly.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005 11:27 AM

NEODOUG1

Quote:
Originally posted by Tiger:

Right, like I said, definitely a straight blade with a nice big guard on it. Exactly.

________________________________________________
A bit of an animal... but which bit?!?
(I know - it's not a Firefly quote, but what the hey...!)

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005 5:29 PM

AVTOMATJ

Quote:
Originally posted by ThePyro:
all right, that settles that.....nvm then, lol. What kinda steal do you suggest Avtomat? for swords, daggers, etc....edged weapons?

The Pyro

Honestly I couldn't really say. I'm not into edged weapons as much as I used to be. The thing to do if you are really interested is to look for sites and message boards that are geared towards swords and such. They can steer you towards all the information you are looking for.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

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Tuesday, October 11, 2005 6:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ThePyro:
all right, that settles that.....nvm then, lol. What kinda steal do you suggest Avtomat? for swords, daggers, etc....edged weapons?

There's everything from 420, which sharpens easily but can't hold an edge, to 1095 (non-stainless) that holds a great edge and sharpens fairly easily. I've made knives from 1095 stock, old saw blades and even an old truck leaf spring once and they all turned out well.

When buying commercially, steer clear of anything labeled "surgical steel", a null term, equivalent to saying "really good steel" - it could be anything. Most of all look at the price. Like I said above, $20 for two 3 foot blades is a sure sign they're junk. A quality sword of that size that can actually be USED would cost at least $100, probably more if made in the USA.

Here's a chart that has some of the common blade steels used and their properties -
http://www.huntingblades.com/tyofstusinkn.html

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Friday, October 21, 2005 9:54 AM

BIGDAMNOPERATIVE

Actually, I think that sword might be the exact one used in the movie. Does anyone believe that they forged a sword just for this movie? The shape is identical if nothing else. The fullers on the back edge seem to be the same as well. I think they removed the cord wrapping from the hilt and used a rubbery or plastic like substance though.

The quality is good for a prop. 420 steel isn't going to win a war for you, but you could probably kill a few people with it if such things interest you. This sword appears to be made by the same company that makes the "black ronin" sword. I have a copy and love it. It is a single piece of steel, so it is far sturdier than what you will typically find with this quality level. It will definately be everything you need for a prop sword. If you want a combat sword, you had better have the budget to get it custom forged.

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Friday, October 21, 2005 10:14 AM