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Argnarock — Ends of the Earth WIP (Almost Done!)
Published: 2012-02-28 23:31:12 +0000 UTC; Views: 1407; Favourites: 47; Downloads: 12
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Description
An update on the Ends of the Earth Keyblade that I'm making for my Terra cosplay. I got it conworthy just in the nic of time for Megacon, and those of you who went might recognize it floating above the crowd on Saturday.Credit for helping me get it conworthy goes to:
Who was also Aqua, and helped me with this from start to finish.
Who was a tremendous help with painting the final coats, as well as attaching it all together.
Who was also a tremendous help with painting, especially with the earlier coats.
And though he doesn't have a DeviantArt, my father. Without his vast knowledge of woodworking ( And his vast collection of tools! ) these keyblades would never have gotten off the ground.
But yes, I say "conworthy" instead of "finished" because it still needs a bit of work. Some final details need to be added, and Some paint needs to be touched up here and there. All in all, I think it came out beautifully! Especially considering that it was only my second woodworking project...EVER!
But yes, please feel free to question, comment, and critique! I welcome it all, just as long as you bear in mind that this isn't quite done.
Oh, and of course, I take no credit for the original design of the Ends of the Earth Keyblade from Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep.
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Comments: 52
I can certainly describe the process to you, if you'd like. I should probably put a tutorial up of my process up soon anyway, but I can't guarantee that will be up anytime soon. So for now all I'll be able to offer you is a written description, if that's ok?
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Ok, so first of all you need a good reference image. Are you making Ends of the Earth, or a different prop altogether. I could probably supply an image for you to use, if needed, but really only if you plan on doing Ends of the Earth or another prop I've done. It's very important that you get a flat side view image. I then put the image into photoshop, clean it up a bit so that it's only the prop, crop the image to just barely fit it, and then size the image up to what I want it to be in real world dimensions. For example, I knew I wanted EotE to be about 60 inches or so (can't quite remember the exact length I came up with atm), so I made sure the length was set to 60 inches when I resized the image.
I then imported the image into a program I use called PosteRazor, which helps me split the image up evenly into 8x11 sections that I can easily print with. Once it's printed, I then cut the excess paper off and tape together the pieces until I have a life sized paper stencil that will help me nail the silhouette of the prop. Any questions so far before I continue?
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Oh yes, of course! Otherwise I wouldn't use it >.<
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what type of wood was it made from
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It's made from MDF, or medium density fiberboard. You can pick it up at a local Home Depot or Lowes. BE WARNED: cutting and sanding it releases noxious dust and chemicals that are not good to breath in, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND A MASK when doing anything to it! You have been warned.
Other than that, it's lovely to work with. I trace my pattern onto it, cut it out with a saber saw, and sand it with a belt sander and a dremel tool. For EotE, I used a 1/2" thick piece for the majority of the blade, with a 3/4" thick piece for the cross guard. I cut a wooden dowel in half for the raised middle portion.
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Holy cow! Only your SECOND woodworking project? Good gravey, can't wait to see what you have in store once you get a few more under your belt! You've got some good friends there to help you with such a project. ^_^
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Within a few days I should have a picture to show you my latest woodworking project, a sniper for my friend's Mandalorian costume. I also plan on doing Ike's sword Ragnell in the near future, to give you an idea. And yes, my friends helping me with the painting and final assembly of this is the only reason I was able to proudly lug it around Megacon last year.
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I can't wait to see it! Send me a link the MOMENT you post it! Teamwork on a cosplay project makes it all the sweeter!
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This is fantastic! Nicely done. 
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Good eye! The keyblade as it stands in this picture is actually made out of 4 main pieces of wood, with 12 smaller detail pieces. The dowel is actually split in half and glued on to either side, both for the required look and the structural support.
I really need to update this picture, I've added more details since this one was taken...
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Neat! It's really well done. I like how cleanly everything is attached. 
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I'll get to posting it eventually, I promise! >.<
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I must say this is one of the better Ends of the Earth I've seen. The proportions are just right
GREAT JOB! ^^b
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Thank you so much! That really means a lot! ^^
There are some very minor proportional issues that only I seem to notice, though I guess that's because I'm the one that made it, lol! Now that you mention it though, I do notice a lot of the Ends of the Earth keyblades seem to be a bit skinny in the neck. They still look good though!
Thanks again!
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They are skinny XD
Drew one to scale and surprised how slender it looks. But then after watching a BBS Video (HD version), its like that after all.
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Maybe one day far in the future I can make you one, MAYBE! I'm really glad you like it though.
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By comparing this to Ends of the Earth itself, I only see three things you need to touch up: the brown on most of the blade is off a bit, the guard needs touching up, and you just need to make the keychain.
Pretty sure you knew all this already, but thought I'd mention it.
IT'SAMAZINGOHMYGOD
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Finally, constructive criticism! Yes, I did notice all of those things, and about half a million other tiny things that you may never notice ever! The bronze was the closest I could find at the time, and I was also running on kind of tight deadline as well, so I couldn't afford to be overly picky with it. I still don't think I have run into the perfect bronze for this, or the blue for the guard! To put things in perspective, the glue holding this thing together might have still been drying a bit when we got into the car to take it to it's first convention. Also, what part of the guard do you think needs touching up? I plan on adding a piece to each side to give it some dimension, but what else did you see? And I'm well aware of the keychain situation, I was going to start working on the one for this and Stormfall shortly.
And thank you for the support! Glad you like it!
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I can't wait to see the finished cosplay! How did you make it? :3
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The cosplay is finished, minus the constant tweaks I make to everything. And I definitely need a new wig. Check out my favorites and look for the my cosplay folder to see some pics of the costume and keyblade in action. But as for how I made it, most of it is made out of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) and it has a wooden dowel running down the center of it. All told it's about 4 major pieces, with about 13 minor pieces and a few more that need to be added. If you want me to go into excruciating construction detail, I can, but only if you ask!
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Now there's an idea! I don't know when I'll be making another one of these, but I'll certainly think about doing a tutorial of the next big project I do. Did you plan on trying to make one of these yourself?
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Actually, yes. You see, my fiance agreed to cosplay with me if I made the props and cosplay for him. I want him to Cosplay Terra since I cosplay Aqua.
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That's pretty cool! Does he actually want to cosplay, or is he doing it only because you want him to? Because you have a lot of work cut out for you, and I recommend that you try to get him involved and helping, even if it is just helping you pay for the supplies to make his stuff. Good luck to both of you though!
I'll go ahead and list some of the more important things you'll need to make either of the keyblades: A lot of power tools, specifically a Saber saw, a dremel tool with sanding bits, a table saw, and a router or some kind of equivalent, if possible. A printer to print out and piece together a life sized paper version of the keyblades, and a LOT of time and patience. You'll also need a wooden dowel, at least an inch or an inch and a half thick. I used 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) for mine, and it is easy to work with, but it's also kind of heavy. Also, some of the glues that held it together are slightly dangerous to breathe in, so I HIGHLY recommend wearing safety glasses and at least a sanding mask at THE VERY LEAST.
Also, you are probably going to spend a good chunk of cash on supplies, and even more if you mess up something drastic and have to start over, so be warned. But how does that sound so far?
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Well he played the game and he wants to cosplay.
And that. all sounds complicated. I am not crafty at all D:
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Well that's good that he actually has interest in it. And the process is actually surprisingly simple, it's just time consuming, especially when you don't really know what you are doing. Stormfall and Ends of the Earth were actually my first actual woodworking projects ever, so I didn't really have much of an idea what I was doing starting off. Luckily, my father has a shed full of tools, so I didn't have to invest in too much other than a dremel tool and some bits. Have you tried anything like this before? Because you won't know if you're good at it unless you give it a shot. And PLEASE feel free to ask away with questions, I love helping out where I can.
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I've never tried... i cant sew, draw, or make anything. I;m pathetic ._.
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I highly doubt that you are pathetic. And you'll never know if you're any good at any of this unless you give it a shot. Practice makes perfect, and I've certainly learned a lot since I've gotten into prop making.
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HOW IN DA HECK ID YOU MAKE THT?!?!?!?!?! ITS AMAZING
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VERY CAREFULLY! AND THANK YOU! I'M GOING TO SWITCH THE CONVERSATION BACK TO NORMAL CAPITALIZATION now. I appreciate the compliment, It's made primarily out of MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), is technically consisted of 4 main pieces, with little detail bits on top, more of which I need to add. It's not QUITE done, but all it needs is a bit of smoothing here and there, a few more detail pieces, and a fresh coat of paint. Oh, and a Keychain, I almost forgot! That'll be a doosey.
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i probably wouldnt be able to make one tht good, your very skilled
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Thanks for the compliment, but you could definitely make a good keyblade! It's just a matter of having the proper materials, tools, and a bit of time and patience. Well, more than a bit of time and patience, lol.
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i just dont have the skills for it and your welcome
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Thanks, although I'll never see it as perfect, lol. Believe it or not, there's all sorts of little flaws just covering it, although not many people notice any of them, which is good, lol! Some of them can be fixed, some can't, but all in all I'm still very pleased with how it turned out.
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Of course as the creator you will always see those flaws. But as a viewer, I think we get way overwhelmed by the sheer magic of it to notice anything like tiny mistakes! Well, with each one you learn more. I can tell, they are just beautiful.
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You tickle me with your words Rose, and you are exactly right about the creator seeing EVERY flaw! But I am learning with every mistake and improvement, and I'm also learning ways to correct those mistakes even after the product is finished.
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Very awesome job XD You people and your keyblades. But woodworked stuff is always awesome to see!
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Just in case you didn't know, I really love it. I barely know anything about Kingdom Hearts or keyblades and I just think it's absolutely awesome.
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Thank you! That means a lot coming from you! I don't know if you like it because you helped with it, or if you truly like the design, but thank you regardless! Also, you should get to know Kingdom Hearts, play them! They're amazing!
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I've been thinking about it and I want to but what should I start with?
Also, I just really like it, not just because I was a part of it.
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The one that cjs playing... kingdom hearts.
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This looks amazing! Second ever? Well, you obviously have talent with it. ^_^
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