Praetorian Power Version 2 – it’s red, black and brand new

Hello Everybody, today we return to the Star Wars Universe at last (I got kinda sidetracked recently) as I bring you a new saber I designed after I checked my viewing stats and noticed someone had looked at my old “lightwhip” saber I built using the old software I used to use. That saber was “Praetor Power Whip” and I based it on the “Electro Chain Whip” weapon carried by Supreme Leader Snoke’s Elite Praetorian Guards.

Praetor Power IGNITED!

This design used the old modular saber builder that Saberforge provide – but I heavily modified and improved it by adding a custom colourscheme and I photo-edited a flexible whip blade. But even back in 2018 when I made this I knew I could/wanted to improve on it. So today I bring you a totally new design from the ground up. This is Praetorian Power V2….

Initially this was going to be a claw or bone inspired hilt, there is a slight curve like a claw and the emitter and pommel have aggressive shrouds making it look sharp. But I knew the handgrip needed some detailing and added some ridges (which added interest and additional grip) and it was whilst I was viewing it in preview mode the saber reminded me of something. I was using the “MatCap” function that uses a clay model style of presentation so you can see how details stand out and I thought I had seen the “plates” of the handgrip on a certain character – the Praetorian Guards!

This is the Praetorian with the “Electro Chain Whip” which inspired my original 2018 design – but just look at the arm/sleeve of the costume – it looks just like the segmented handgrip of my new saber. I felt the outfit whilst cool did look a little flat at times because it was plain red with no contrast colour (the dark areas where just shadows) so I added a few black accents to my hilt especially the ring of raised ridges just below the emitter. The Praetorian weapons used in The Last Jedi didn’t appear to have any activation switch visible so I omitted to add a switch and instead envisaged that there is a sensor in the handle to activate the blade. The blade is also a standard blade not a whip as I feel the flexible blade has a lot of drawbacks, one being just how difficult it is to use. However, the blade does have a nice electric blue colour to represent the “electro” aspect of the original weapons.

In these detail pictures you can better see the ring of accent plates circling the hilt , providing a convenient “choke point” to grip the saber. You will also see the elongated “Bunny Ear” tabs on top of the emitter to make it easier to know which end is which as both ends have similar pointed shrouds. You might be able to see that the ridges are curved and actually flow /vary as you go down the length of the hilt – this was the result of adding the ridges then I used the “Curve Modifier” to bend the hilt. It makes the handgrip look like the sleeve of the Praetorian Guard outfit and some folks might even think it looks like the shell of a prawn or crustacean. Finally two of my favourite parts of this hilt are the inserts in the emitter and pommel. These inserts were made using a cog wheel shaped part then I rounded all the edges then added a cone on the pommel insert and a tube like piece on the emitter insert to represent the module where the blade emits from (the holes around the edges represent the receptors that absorb the blade’s energy as it cycles around). I think this is a suitable upgrade for the Praetorians.

That just about wraps up this design but I did enjoy getting back into the Star Wars realm. I hope you liked the Praetorian V2 and I want to let you know I have a few more original designs inspired by the recent “The High Republic” material coming out from Disney/Lucasfilm, along with a Halberd design (medieval inspired double weapon) AND a series of hilts with an interchangeable core! So there is plenty to come in future posts. Thank you to each and every viewer/reader for taking time to check this hilt out, you are always welcome and appreciated whether this is your first visit or if you are an FTSabersite regular. Till next time….

“Praetorian Power Version 2” is a For Tyeth Editions design and was modelled/rendered in Blender 3D – it is Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-2021. “Elite Praetorian Guard”, “Electro Chain Whip” and all Star Wars names, logos, images and related material are Trademark and Copyright of Disney/Lucasfilm.

TY Silencer Saber – Inspired by Kylo Ren’s starfighter.

Hello Everybody (and DK44, who has patiently waited for this design!) today I bring to you a TLJ inspired hilt. As you can see from the title and featured image, I have created a replica of sorts of Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer spaceship. Now there are sabers with claws as seen with my Panther’s Claw V2 in my last post so I thought why can’t a saber have wings? They can be shaped easily enough and attached the same way as claws, so why not build a winged hilt. The TIE Silencer caught the imaginations of Star Wars fans as soon as we saw it in the trailers for TLJ (Will he pull the trigger and kill his past?) so I picked the Silencer as my inspiration. Again I tried to use a few different techniques including “Wireframe”, “SubSurf Modification”, I used different materials and I have a surprise for you all as I take this hilt for a spin later. Enough talk, let me show you some of the pictures…

TY Silencer Build 1

TY Silencer Build Switch

TY Silencer Build 3

TY Silencer Build 4

TY Silencer Pommel 1

TY Silencer Pommel 2

TY Silencer “Cockpit Blade Plug”

TY Silencer Blade Plug removed

Hopefully I have captured the dark sinister lines of the Silencer in this hilt! I think I have, I even managed to include the cockpit windows…and if you look real close you will see they are transparent red, just like the real thing. This makes it look more realistic but the cockpit section also forms the protective Blade Plug. So when the blade plug is inserted then the light from the LED can safely shine through making the cockpit appear lit up! Remove the plug, insert a blade and you have a ready to use saber. I even built the cockpit so there are a ring of windows around the blade. The body of the hilt and fighter is made up of two parts, a solid body plus a second part that is modified so only the edges and corners show. This second part is like a skeletal frame around the solid body and helps form the fuselage panels. The grip section is a basic cylinder indented at regular points to provide finger positions. The grip also has the ridged activation button mounted on top. On the underside is the location for the Covertech Belt Clip knob. Then, as if this wasn’t enough detail….there is the pommel! And the pommel I hope reflects the aft section of the Silencer with it’s angular shape and the illuminated engine ports. I am sorta famous for making designs with pommels that light up! Oh and I nearly forgot the wings, and yes I realise I made a tiny mistake as they don’t match. When I built this a few weeks ago I didn’t realise Blender had a “Mirror” function that allowed me to create a symmetrical mirrored copy of parts, I just copied the left wing, then rotated and pasted it on the right hand position. This caused it to be inverted, but rather than re-assemble the parts and retake all the photos I left the mistake in place and explained it instead – a learning experience. Now I’ve talked a lot again, how about a few more pics, here you go…

TY Silencer Test Build Textured.

TY Silencer Saber Glamour 1

TY Silencer Saber Glamour 2

Well I hope the wait for this hilt was worth it, and I apologise to my friend DK44 it took so long but I have had quite a few designs scheduled to show you all. Now as a small token of apology I’d like to try “Something….New!” and show one final image with a difference…time to take the Silencer for a SPIN!…(hope this works…)

Ok it only went round once but it is a start. My laptop nearly died animating that (it’s very old like me 😀 !) so I don’t know how many animated pics I’ll do in future.

Wow, where has the time flown? I’m afraid I am going to have to end this post here but before I go I need to say a BIG Thank You to each and every one of you who visit and support me…I have just broken the 8000 Views mark! Your support is very much appreciated and keeps me posting here so thank you and please call back to see more designs including TWO more movie blockbuster hilts, and I may have a “fully operational battle station” to show you soon in future posts. Till next time…

“TY Silencer Saber” is a For Tyeth Editions design and is © Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-2018. “TIE Silencer”, “Kylo Ren”, “TLJ-The Last Jedi” are Trademarks/© Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm.

Praetor Power Lightwhip -inspired by the Elite Praetorian Guards

Hello Everybody, today I have a change to my planned post but at least this time it was due to me. I was checking out starwars.com to get the latest news (there’s a new film coming out soon apparently called Solo!) and while I was there I scoped the Databank pages. It was here I saw a new article about Supreme Leader Snoke’s Elite Praetorian Guards and more specifically their weapons! One stood out from the rest and it was called the “Bilari Electro Chain Whip”. This weapon had a hilt like a lightsaber handle and a tubular metal shaft as it’s blade, but at the press of a button the blade separates into segments connected by links of plasma like energy. Thus the weapon’s blade becomes flexible and can be swung around like a whip! I thought to myself…”I gotta design one of these!”….so I have and here is my take on the Lightwhip design. I call this PRAETOR POWER…

Praetor Power Hilt

Praetor Power Emitter

Praetor Power Emitter 2

Praetor Power Switch and Body

Praetor Power Pommel

Praetor Power Pommel 2

Praetor Power Horizontal

Praetor Power IGNITED!

The hilt has the signature red glossy colour of the now famous Elite Praetorian Guard and some nice contrasting black accents. If you look closely at both the emitter and pommel segments you will see they are the same part, used to give the hilt a symmetrical look. Examine the parts even closer and you will see they have what look like slotted windows on the black stripes, these are similar to the oblong windows and light panes found on Imperial ships and of course Snoke’s flagship where we see the Guards do their thing against….well I better not say just in case you haven’t seen TLJ yet! And YES, I have mastered the technique to make curly bending blades…so now I can make more lightwhip designs. The blade is controlled by the two switches, one to activate and extend the blade out and the second to retract it again, controlling the length. Pressing and holding the second switch ultimately extinguishes the weapon. Here is the picture I used for reference and inspiration…

Bilari Electro Chain Whip (starwars.com)

My design doesn’t have the individual segments but this design is technically possible to build from parts supplied by Saberforge. They sell a fibre optic blade that acts like a whip and lights up. So I hope my version does the Guards weapon justice.

I am closing in on the end of this post, but first I have to say thank you as always. This time I have a bigger thank you than normal as you my friends and viewers have helped me break the 6000 views milestone. So thank you so much for the support it really means a lot that I have managed to keep entertaining you all this time. I still have more designs to come so do please return for those (including that series of FIVE hilts inspired by an 80’s adventure cartoon I have mentioned). Till next time.

“Praetor Power Lightwhip” is a For Tyeth Editions design and is ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2018. “Elite Praetorian Guards”, “Supreme Leader Snoke”. “Bilari Electro Chain Whip” and all other names, logos, images and related material are Trademark/©Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm 2018.

Porg Lightsaber – Inspired by Ach-To’s cutest creatures

Hello Everybody, I am really sorry this post is late but I was called away over the weekend on a mission and couldn’t upload this new design (the telecommunication in some parts of the Outer Rim of the UK isn’t very good 😦 ) But better late than never and this next design is for the little bird creatures of Ach-To, the Porgs! I realised after I posted “Wookie Warrior” and I commented maybe Chewbacca used that saber to hunt Porgs, that these little guys needed a way to defend themselves. It turns out that Chewie and the Porgs became good friends so they wouldn’t really need a saber, however this is the result…

Porg Lightsaber Hilt

Porg Lightsaber Emitter

Porg Lightsaber Emitter 2

Porg Lightsaber Switch

Porg Lightsaber Body

Porg Lightsaber Pommel

Porg Lightsaber Pommel 2

Porg Lightsaber Vertical Up

Porg Lightsaber Horizontal

I tried to capture the spirit of our little feathered(?) friends and managed to find parts that helped me do that. First up is the blade which is pure white, and I chose this as the saber is only a symbolic design as I can’t see a Porg using one (well they don’t have any hands…that’s why you may have noticed the little guy in the title image has it in his mouth!) The emitter has the large oblong recesses which reminded me of the big doe eyed look Chewie got when he was about to tuck into his dinner during The Last Jedi. The body of the hilt has ridges to represent layers of fur or feathers and the pommel stands in for the feet of the bird creatures. The hilt is predominantly black but there is a nice splash of colour in the orange used to reflect the look of plumage on their head and shoulders. I hope the design worked, what do you guys think?…

It’s beautiful!….But how do I hold it Tyeth? (Copyright Disney/LucasFilm)

So, as you can see this design has to be symbolic as the Porgs don’t have any way to handle the hilt effectively but they still liked it! I hope you all liked it too and will join me again for more new designs (and hopefully they will be on schedule 😀 ) I am approaching that dreaded time where I have to bring this Porg (sorry I meant post) to an end but first, as always, I want to thank you all for checking out this design and supporting me and this site! Till next time.

“Porg Lightsaber” is a For Tyeth Edition design and is ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2018. “Porgs”, “Chewbacca” and “The Last Jedi” are Trademarks/©Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm 2018.

The Last Jedi – For’s First Thoughts

Whew! Hello Everybody! I have just recovered from my viewing of The Last Jedi, and as was hinted at it was good! My experience began by entering the cinema but I got a distinct foreboding feeling, there was none and I mean none, nada, nothing, zero, zilch in the way of Star Wars posters, dioramas, banners or usual cardboard cut-outs to pose with…and this worried me. Maybe these things were at the cinema in the weeks leading up to the release but on the day there was nothing (I told you I live in the Outer Rim of the UK but this was ridiculous!). Anyway I bravely continued and purchased my ticket…VIP and 3D (well it was a treat for my upcoming birthday on Sunday and I was celebrating finishing a college course 😀 !) and ventured into the auditorium. Oh! Nearly forgot my 3D glasses! Actually I still had my ones from Rogue One so used those but I did buy a pair of First Order Stormtrooper 3D goggles to match the DeathTrooper ones I got last year, yes the cinema was selling old Rogue One merch from last year! (I told you things were bad).

Ok, settled into my seat and listening to the Christmas tinged pre-show music, we got the trailers out of the way then the LucasFilm logo appeared with all it’s twinkling 3D effects. And then JOHN WILLIAMS the legend and the crawl! Now I am going to have to stop here as I don’t want to spoil anything for those who have yet to see TLJ. What I can say is that the trailers and TV spots during the build up were as suspected, very cleverly constructed and the film itself “Won’t end the way you think!!!” (thanks Luke for that great line!). I am also going to pat myself on the back and say my one prediction about the film was correct…Rey’s use of the lightsaber WAS in the film Buuut……

This WAS in the film YAY!!!

I think I managed to avoid a spoiler just there. Back to the film, there were fantastic action scenes followed by great moments of humour, followed by nostalgic nods to the Star Wars past. There were also hints at the Star Wars future too. As the Binary Suns set below the horizon… A New Star appeared in the distance.

This was a REAL (not that TFA wasn’t) Star Wars film that will exhilarate you and make you laugh but it will also Force you to cry and change as it twists and tugs at your heartstrings.

I apologise that this is a bare post as regards to images, but you will have seen the pictures that have been released from the film…all I can say is that they are even better on the big screen. So, the Action, the Heroes, the Villains, the scenery, the music, the humour it was all there. Thanks for reading, now go see it for yourselves and I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did. May The Force Be With You….

In Memory of Carrie Fisher

our Forever Princess.

The Last Jedi Trailer – For Tyeth’s Trailer Talk Ep.II

Hello Everybody, WOW! The new trailer looks amazingly dark and sinister in tone (not to mention all the RED bits!) and I am quite excited now to see this film. Before I go any further just in case you haven’t seen the trailer I will insert it here but as always “DON’T WATCH IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!”

I had to wait till 4am this morning to see this and then was too tired to comment (I ran out of Jedi Energy Capsules 😀 ) But now I am awake I can say there are going to be some really serious encounters and twists. I am now going to get my VIP tickets as quick as I can!

I haven’t done a break down of all the bits and pieces in this trailer as you can find other videos on YouTube that will do that I just thought I’d post the video here to for you all. But in all this excitement I’d like to remind you I have a new design for a talented young lady blogger I have “met” recently and a “real” life Graflex Lightsaber to showcase for you all from DK44 Designs! So please join me here for those posts. Thank you for looking in on this video post (it’s only the second video I’ve used!) your support, as always, is much appreciated. Till next time.

“Star Wars – The Last Jedi”, “Rey”, “Kylo Ren” and all names, images, video and related material is Trademark/© Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm 2017. Video via “StarWars.com” on YouTube.

For Tyeth’s The Last Jedi Trailer Talk

Hello Everybody, I bet you didn’t think you would be seeing me today! Well the reason for this impromptu post is due to the chatter and buzz around the Internet (and the Galaxy) regarding the latest trailer for The Last Jedi. It is going to air at halftime during the NFL Monday Night Football game. There have also been a few bits and pieces of behind-the-scenes footage and clips released to tease us. For once I had a sneaky look and I am glad I did, as I saw something VERY exciting for fans of Lightsabers and Lightsaber duels. What did I see?…It was footage of Daisy Ridley rehearsing a Lightsaber duel (so what Tyeth, we know Rey is training to be Jedi and using a saber!) Well…this clip shows Daisy blocking an attack from, wait for it…..THREE ATTACKERS! Yes three attackers and she is using the Graflex! Who were these attackers? When, why and where does this happen? What does it mean?

IT MEANS I THINK THE DUEL IS GOING TO BE MONUMENTAL!

image via movieweb.com and is Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm

Sorry folks I shouldn’t shout out like that ^^ but this has me really excited (along with the rest of what’s in store in the film of course!) I am also excited as after watching the new trailer on Monday night you have another impromptu post to look forward to from me coming on Wednesday. I have the pleasure of introducing you to another great Blogger I have “met” recently who writes fabulous reviews on books, films/TV and games…oh and she is a big fan of Star Wars too! And because I have fantastic friends I have the opportunity to showcase a “real” Graflex Lightsaber hilt, assembled by DK44, who regular viewers will remember from DK44 Designs on Saturday in my regular posting schedule!

This trailer was epic, just wait for Monday night’s trailer!

I can’t wait for all this! I hope you will join me back here on Wednesday after you watch the trailer and meet my new friend and on Saturday have a look at DK44’s Graflex. Thank you for looking in on this post, your support is always appreciated and remember The Last Jedi will be in cinemas on December 15th!! Till next time.

 

“Star Wars – The Last Jedi”, “Rey” and all other names, logos, images and related material are Trademark/© Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm 2017.

Onyx Saber – For “DJ” the Man In Black

Hello Everybody, I am slightly excited today as I am approaching my 1 year Blogversary (I think that’s a word, if not I have just invented it!) and I may break the barrier of 4000 hits soon! Hopefully I will reach the milestone in time for my anniversary, but in the meantime to keep you entertained I have a new design. Recently there has been quite a bit of chatter around the galaxy regarding Benicio Del Toro’s character in The Last Jedi. Who is he? What’s his name? Who is he related to, where does he come from? Well, we still don’t know much more than we did before but Vanity Fair produced an article showing backstage images and a photoshoot, which included the Man In Black, or DJ as he is now known. We see that he has quite a large ship (possibly a cargo vessel?) and a distinctive jacket. I thought maybe he was a smuggler, like Han Solo or some type of mercenary. If so, he would need a suitable weapon, so here is my saber design for the Man In Black…I call it the Onyx Saber…

Onyx Saber Hilt

Onyx Saber Emitter

Onyx Saber Emitter 2

Onyx Saber Switch

Onyx Saber Body

Onyx Saber Pommel

Onyx Saber Horizontal

Onyx Saber Vertical Up

With so little information to go on, I decided to create a hilt that might suit DJ based on his looks in the Vanity Fair photos. A mercenary would have a distinctive weapon to make a statement and I think this hilt looks good. It has a Graflex style emitter (similar to Anakin’s, Luke’s and now Rey’s saber) which always looks stylish and gives a nod to the history of lightsabers. The blade is purple (I know it looks a little pinkish but it is the graphics used in the saber builder package causing that!) which indicates DJ so far has no allegiance to the Dark or Light side of the Force. The switch, body and pommel are functional with a nice brown leather grip on the body, and a loop to hang the saber attached to the pommel. The parts used are a nice gloss black making them appear much cleaner and new, showing the saber is cared for.

Copyrigh Vanity Fair/Disney/LucasFilm

My edited version.

So this has been my design for the mysterious Man In Black, DJ. It is hard to design for somebody with so little information to base it on…oh! the name….yes I nearly forgot to mention that. The name is taken from the black gemstones found on planet Earth, the Onyx!

I am now approaching the end of this post and will have to bring it to a close, but as always before I go I want to say thank you to all my followers and viewers (including a nice young lady called Jamie, who has recently started following…thank you!) Your support has carried me to 304 posts and (nearly) 4000 hits. Please spread the word about FTSabersite to your friends and do call back soon to see what I have coming up in future posts. Till next time.

“DJ”, The Last Jedi and all other names, logos and related material are Trademark/©Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm. The Benicio Del Toro publicity photo is owned by Vanity Fair magazines and was edited by me to include the lightsaber.

Scavenger EP8 – Which Way for Rey?

Hello Everybody, today I return to what I hope I’m best at, designing and displaying Lightsabers. I will just thank Abby one final time for my accolade from yesterday’s post. But now I have another return to bring to you all, and it concerns our favourite Scavenger Girl, Rey! Recently Disney and Lucasfilm released some promotional images for the upcoming Star Wars – The Last Jedi and it featured some details about Rey’s image and her Lightsaber. I have been teasing you with pictures about this design using the sign for Infinity. I did this to show the continual struggle between the Light and the Dark side of the Force, and possibly highlighting the turmoil and choices Rey may face in the new film. The Infinity symbol also just happens to be a figure 8 laid on it’s side (Episode 8….get it?  😀 ) These next designs were some ideas I had for what Rey might use in the film, so here is Scavenger EP8…

Scavenger’s Return Staff

Scavenger’s Return Emitter A

Scavenger’s Return Hilt A

Scavenger’s Return Shaft

Scavenger’s Return Hilt B

Scavenger’s Return Emitter B

Long time viewers may remember my previous posts Scavenger’s Twins Lightsabers and Scavenger Lightsaber Staff, well this is what I envisaged Rey may build using the parts from that very staff. This staff has the two hilt like sections of her staff conjoined as a more compact double bladed staff saber. It has the traditional blue blades of the Jedi as beginners or Padawans usually began their calling using a blue saber. However what if the events of The Force Awakens affected Rey more than we are led to believe?…what are her real origins?…are they linked to the Dark side and the Sith? So what would her weapon look like then? Maybe it would look a little like this..Darkside Scavenger EP8…

Darkside Scavenger

Darkside Scavenger Emitter A

Darkside Scavenger Hilt A

Darkside Scavenger Shaft

Darkside Scavenger Hilt B

Darkside Scavenger Emitter B

Well another theory has been floating around suggesting Rey may use the two lightsabers belonging to Luke, the Graflex that Finn and Rey used in TFA and combine it with the saber Luke fought Darth Vader with in Return of the Jedi. That may have looked a little like this..

But Disney/Lucasfilm’s recently released picture shows Rey wielding the Graflex and she has her hair hanging down, more like how a traditional female Padawan learner would wear it. Here is the picture.

So I don’t think my designs are going to be adopted, oh well! But I will keep on designing and trying to come up with new sabers. I do have a few in the pipeline so I would be honoured if you would return to see those. For now thanks again for visiting today and for all of your support. Till next time.

Rey, Finn and all Star Wars related material is Trademark/©Copyright of Disney/Lucasfilm. “Scavenger EP8” is a For Tyeth Edition design and is ©Copyright  of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2017.