poll new type of props(all kinds)

[vonhellish]

ok here is my question to those like me looking for cool not over priced LEGAL( not live steel) swords and guns. if a comapny came out with a quality composite sword that looked like a real sword or gun but did not break the rules. what would you be willing to pay and would you be interested in this. I have found a way and am thinking of starting a company that will make our dreams come true no more foam or wood swords,guns or props. sound good let me know.

[hugginsseller]

few commissioners on here makes weapons look exact and are con safe. SO.....yep.

Edited ^_^

[fev]

If you're thinking of "starting a company" drop into the marketplace and browse around, toss cosplay props through google, etc. and those would better help to answer the question you're posing here

I'd have to disagree with hugginseller there.. every seller does NOT make weapons look exact, nor of a high quality, and I think that that would play an intergral part in how one would price works. There's some pretty bad stuff out there.

Right now this is like seeing a prop ad in the marketplace that has no images of previous work, and some fluffy promise that they'd make it look real nice for cheap. You had never mentioned what -kinds- of composites you'd use, or post any samples of work beyond "i have an idea, how much would you pay?". There's no way anyone can remotely guess what your work would be worth if you don't provide pertinent information or post examples.

I'm also thinking that you're grossly underestimating the qualities of the mediums you're pretty much denouncing, as they're quite viable if you know how to use them

[hugginsseller]

Well sorry for the bad interpretation. Most commissioners that have been here before have GREAT quality in the making of their props and are exact. I can name off a few for the purpose. I agree with some what you said about some being bad or poorly made. I just meant seeing this ad would be like seeing everyone elses. Whether or not they were cheap or expensive.

I ALSO don't think you should put down certain materials. For a fact that "fev" is one that I can name off and is great with wood. Just because they make them from wood, metal, foam, plastic, or any other material means nothing only on how the outcome is, priced, and the quality.

[vonhellish]

i am currently working in the foam and wood areas of prop makeing and by no mean putting them down by any mean they can make some ver ver cool props. i just finidhed a selection of axe's and a sword for a haunted house make of foam and pvc. and if i can figure out how to inbed pics i will i am basicly asking if it anyone thinks it would be worth sinking the 500 plus in supplies to make a few molds

and trust me i love working on props i am makeing sango's bone boomarang for a friend of mine that will be over 7 ft tall so yes foam works great for many things

[fev]

oop, M y bad regarding the wording..

Not every seller makes exact or high quality weapons. Often the price offsets the quality, sometimes it just doesn't (ex. boo to Museum Replicas shoddily made, overpriced, officially licensed Assassin's Creed gear! ) . But it just boils down to the price of the item, and whether a potential buyer would consider it worth it. The same official AC sword that i think is garbage may look like gold to someone else, so sometimes its about an individuals view.. some folks may be pickier (or more anal) about details than others!

regardless, i think its important for you to give more details than what's been shared before you can hope to get any really beneficial advice..

other folks you might want to look for here are volpin, blindsquirrel, and featherweight, they do some insane stuff with their respective mediums (featherweight uses cardboard, hot glue and posterboard with amazing results)

when you post, click "go advanced", and there's an attachment system to post images.

the above i was apparently typing when you posted.

now, i'll be honest, making molds isn't a new concept, and if you had mentioned that earlier, it would have been easier to respond.. it boils down to if you sculpt something really well, make a really good mold, can cast it easily, effectively and without too much degradation of the molds, and the material costs.. though the startup costs of the molding materials are high, the costs of resins and such aren't the absolute cheapest either, and its a mesy and sometimes toxic process (esp. if you use fiberglass)

[hugginsseller]

Agreed with featherweight....^_^ and blind squirrel. Some of their props made amaze you beyond all reasons XD!

[vonhellish]

and featherlight i have seen much of you work and you are a artest by anyones standers please do not feel like i was talking down to anyone
the axes are under haunted house props in my pic folders

[hugginsseller]

feather light? Feather weight.

[Mangochutney]

If you have to ask the internet for advice on pricing, you haven't done nearly enough math to start running your own business yet. Trust me on this as a small business owner myself.

Look around, look at what other people are charging, and take into account the materials you're using to sculpt and cast. Factor in how much you think your time spent making and advertising them is worth, consider factors such as seasonal demand and whether you can take a hit to your desired profit margin without bankrupting yourself and...bingo, you have a price point.

Asking us what we'd pay for a still-imaginary product will do you no good. Me? I'd happily pay about a quarter, provided that you offer free shipping.

[Ani_BEE]

Hollow plastic swords and weapons would be a god sent to most cosplayers. I always marvel at the well painted plastic weapons that come out during Halloween and I keep wanting to find a basic plastic kanata that is not meant for an 8 year old so I can alter it to what I need.

Wood swords are durable but can be heavy.



But like many have said to make this venture profitable and reasonably priced you need an manufacturing process behind it. The reason those metal props are cheap is they are all made in China.


There is always a market for prop makers but to try and do a mass production piece take alot of cash up front before you get the ball rolling.