Armour fixation

[Meggyra]

Hello to all

I am new to the forum. I'm finishing my Imperial Knight costume which has been my dream since I started costuming in 2008 (first in the Rebel Legion and now in the 501st for 4-5 years in royal guard).

 

I've almost finished the tunic, my armor (from KB Props, bought second hand) is painted, I have all the accessories (I'm just waiting to receive the belt), but I have just one big unknown: how do you attach each piece of armor on the costume?

Do you use straps, velcro? If it's velcro, did you glue it to the tunic or sew it on?

Does anyone have detailed pictures of each part? I have to admit that it would really help me because I have a lot of trouble with this part...

 

Two other questions that are a bit out of order but :

1. will there be other imperial knights at the Europe celebration? my costume will not be approved yet but I hope to wear it for the first time there on Saturday and/or Sunday

2. Has anyone found a shop that makes IK lightsabers?

 

Thanks, I can't wait to join this detachment which is my favourite! I made a Deliah Blue costume (Rebel Legion approved only) and a slightly simpler version of Darth Talon, I love the extended universe...

 

Meggy

[DarthValkyria]

@Avatar190is the IK specialist!

[Avatar190]

Sorry just saw this...

 

I also have a KB Props kit.  The only piece of armor I have directly attached to my tunic is the ab plate, which I only did after seeing Thomas Spanos' build up close.  Originally, I ran a piece of elastic from the bottom of the chest down to the cod piece (allowing a gap for the belt).  I found that original setup too flexible, and it would not sit correctly, shifting side to side.  I also found this the case when connecting the pauldrons to my shoulder straps, they would move too easily and shift from place, often popping the elastic.

 

For my current harnessing, I used leather snap straps.  My pauldrons are pulled in snug to the shoulder straps, and snapped into place with leather.  I also used a leather strap with Chicago screws to attach the cod piece directly to the center of the belt (so it's always centered properly).  The ab plate is attached directly to my undersuit with Chicago screws as well (because Velcro can be pulled apart).  Here's an Imgur album with some pics (https://imgur.com/a/c2djCAF).  Let me know if these pictures are enough to show what I did...

 

Not going to Celebration myself, but we usually have a handful.  There are only 16 fully approved IK's in the Legion, and likely less in the RL (I would assume most went for dual approval).  Hoping we get a lot more with WTF's current run he's putting together, but these won't be ready for this Celebration.  I'd say to check the TFE Discord chat, and see if you can get some numbers.

 

As for the Imperial Knight saber...this is the hardest to find.  Vader's Vault and SaberForge will no longer do their previous incarnations of the saber (I've asked numerous times).  The only vendor who has released a functional saber in recent years was The Pach Store (Wondersabers)...and their last run was 2021.  With the recent push on the costume due to WTF's upcoming run, I've been all but nagging Pach Store to put out another run.  Last week they finally said that they should be able to do a small run, though this isn't confirmed as to when.  I will get the word out if and when they release.  Here's the link to their previous run, so you can see what it looks like.

There are a handful of 3D print sabers out there which are adequate for hanging on your belt, provided you have access to a 3D printer.

 

Edited March 6, 2023 by Avatar190

[Meggyra]

@Avatar190

Thank you very much for your reply, I really appreciate it and it will be useful to me even if in the meantime I have planned a lot of straps and velcro. I'm not sure of myself. I dream of wearing it in celebration but it will also depend on the space in the suitcase as I realise that it is a crazy volume.

 

For the lightsaber, there is a small Belgian company that makes them to order and that could maybe help me. If that's the case, I could possibly ask for a "grouped" price if more people are interested. I did a (non-validatable) Darth Talon cosplay and they offered me the saber reproduced to perfection.

 

I hope to meet the detachment in London

 

(Oops, I forgot to click on "submit reply" the other day xD)

 

 

[danrodjr]

The saber is going to be a challenge, I don’t believe anyone is making it anymore. If you found someone who makes it I’m sure myself and a few others would like to be in for an order. 

[Avatar190]

I received word from Pach Store that they will indeed do an IK hilt run (their Kishi model) for the WTF Imperial Knight armor group.

 

They are going to message me a sales link soon.

[Allfather]

Nice. Been wanting to upgrade my home made one for a long time now.