Gemini Concepts & Do-Clo Customs Present.... The Shadow Guard Saber Pike

[Master Jedye]

Ok... so maybe Kyuubi's Retribution was not our last saber of 2009.   ;D

Back in July, we met a guy named Ceaser at Babelcon in New Orleans.  BARRISS OFFEE had a few conversations with him and brought him over to our booth where we first talked about a Pike for his Shadow Guard outfit.  (At the time, he was dressed in his Shadow Trooper costume... very nice!)

After returning home, we continued the conversation in the Gemini Chat Room.  Do-Clo was in the chat during one session and that's when we got him involved.  A PVC pike just wasn't going to fit the bill, so Don would construct it out of aluminum.  After sending him the specs, he began working on it.  The pike then traveled back to Gemini Concepts for the PC/painting and soundboard install.

This was an awesome project and we jumped at the chance to be the first (that we know of) to make a full metal Shadow Guard Pike.  It presented new challenges for us all but was definitely worth it.

DETAILS:
1. The Pike is 5'11" long
2. With the Blade, it's about 8 feet tall
3. Made of aircraft grade aluminum
4. Breaks down into three pieces for easy travel
5. MR Sith board installed with a red LEDengin 5W
6. Custom pommel for saber

BEST FEATURES:
1. The Saber can break away from the pike but unscrewing 3 retention screws. 
2. It's just under 12 inches long and has sort of a Darth Bane look to it.
3. The Pike stores a 32 inch blade in it's body.... great for conventions so you're not carrying around a blade.

Sorry that the pictures aren't in the usual GC-mirrored format but this MONSTER was not gonna fit on our mirror.   ;)

The original concept....



and what we came up with....











And a Video....

http://www.youtube.com/user/GeminiConcepts#p/u/0/Fe5zE7b475w

We would like to thank Don for fitting this into his schedule and making this piece possible.  And to Troopre for the opportunity to work on a great project. 

[ARKM]

Nice saber pike.  I love the fact that you can store the blade in the handle.

[DARTH MAUL]

Man...thats just awesome! It blows any pike I've seen out of the water bar none!

Storing the blade in the hilt is a really cool idea. Man I would love to get my hands on one of these at some point.

You guys blew us away this year with everything you've made!

[ASAJJ VENTRESS]

Believe it or not, I just came across the original drawing that Troopre made in my notebook back at BabelCon!  So sweet to see it finally become a reality!

Wonderful work gentlemen!  I'm sure you will have one happy Shadow Guard!

[LUMINARA UNDULI]

Awesome collab guys!  Sweet idea to store the blade in the body :D

[Master Dai Bendu]

That thing is just HUGE!

Great work. I hope we get to see the whole costume.

[Jin Ke]

That is outstanding....

[Darth_Baleful]

i think i just sith my self lol :P   

that thing is crazy!!! amazing job you guys!!!  i really like that you can break it down into just a regular saber as well. and being able to store the blade inside the hilt was a great touch too 8) 8) truly remarkable

MTFBWY

[Master Jedye]

Thanks Guys. 
For the record, I just weighed it.  It comes in at 7.2 pounds.   :D (without the blade)

I wish the pictures would do it justice.  There's a lot of detail that just doesn't show through with a camera. 

When it was designed, we didn't think about having the saber separate.  It just sort of happened.  I machined down a TCSS pommel to slide into the bottom of the saber and voila'!  Instant saber.  ( Don probably had some good foresight when he was working it.  ;) ) The only bad thing is that PC will eventually dent, marr & scratch where the retention screws hold it in place.  But it can always be touched up with Gloss Black enamel paint (it matches it almost perfectly).

[OBI-WAN KENOBI]

Too cool!  Excellent job by some seriously talented folks!  8)

[docdoom]

That's great, practical yet stylish and awesome! Blade kept in staff, released and it makes it lighter. I'm no duelist but would that make duelling with it easier? If you can duel with it, that is.

Is this a new beginning for pike making? By that I mean will this affect any future pike construction?

[BEN KENOBI]

 ;D

Great job guys!! :o

[ASAJJ VENTRESS]

I can't speak for the Boys, but I would have to think that they've (yet again) upped the ante in the prop-making industry!

Troopre isn't a member of the boards, IIRC, so Chewie and/or MJ, you'll have to let us know what he thinks of it!  At the very least, I'm tempted to join some costuming boards to showcase the Gemini Concepts talent and skillz (yep, wid a Z!) and raise the bar everywhere!

[Master Jedye]

Actually, Barriss,  he is a member.   ;)

docdoom, yes, it's very duelable, though you'd have to ask JediKnight Logan or Caine Drathul what's the best technique with something like this.  For me, I'd drop the pike and just use the saber.   8)

[docdoom]

I love sabers but I'd def give the pike a shot. Still, great job!