Maltese Falcon Replica

[Edward]

Hey, folks....

I'm looking to buy my own bird in the next couple of weeks, trying to keep costs down as far as possible..... Been looking at these two on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maltese-Fa...ht_2309wt_1185

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maltese-Fa...ht_1461wt_1185

The latter one looks like a great price compared to the competition, was wondeing if anyone has any experience of the seller?

[Feraud]

Edward, those two birds are not looked upon favorably in the prop community. As you can see the sculpts and casts are shoddy.
The fun zone piece looks sightly better than the first one. I do not have experince buying from either of those ebay sellers.
A few years back I found what looks to be the Haunted Studios version in a thrift store for a couple of bucks. It's a really bad looking sculpt. My wife called it The Maltese Chicken..

[Ozymandius]

Edward, if you're looking to save a few bucks I can do a raw cast in black resin that you can paint yourself for $80.

[skyvue]

Edward, those two birds are not looked upon favorably in the prop community. As you can see the sculpts and casts are shoddy.

See, that's the rub for me -- I can't see that those two look so bad (though I'm willing to take your word for it). I've had a Falcon replica for twenty years or more, but it recently fell off the display shelf and was damaged, so I'm thinking of replacing it.

But I can't justify spending triple figures on it, given my current budgetary constraints. I have no idea how accurate my replica is/was. It might be one of these "shoddy" jobs. But I've gotten nothing but compliments on it over the years. I think the average person won't much know the difference (and much as it shames me to admit it, I just might be, in this sense, as average as anyone).

[Edward]

Edward, those two birds are not looked upon favorably in the prop community. As you can see the sculpts and casts are shoddy.
The fun zone piece looks sightly better than the first one. I do not have experince buying from either of those ebay sellers.
A few years back I found what looks to be the Haunted Studios version in a thrift store for a couple of bucks. It's a really bad looking sculpt. My wife called it The Maltese Chicken..

Ah, thanks - useful to know. Maybe I'm cheap, but even at a bit of a saving over the competition these birds aren't worth picking up at their price if the quality just isn't there.

Edward, if you're looking to save a few bucks I can do a raw cast in black resin that you can paint yourself for $80.

I would be interested in that, come January payday.... what does one paint them with? Oh.... and how would postage be? That can be the killer (some nice options I've had to turn down in the past because postage was crippling).

See, that's the rub for me -- I can't see that those two look so bad (though I'm willing to take your word for it). I've had a Falcon replica for twenty years or more, but it recently fell off the display shelf and was damaged, so I'm thinking of replacing it.

But I can't justify spending triple figures on it, given my current budgetary constraints. I have no idea how accurate my replica is/was. It might be one of these "shoddy" jobs. But I've gotten nothing but compliments on it over the years. I think the average person won't much know the difference (and much as it shames me to admit it, I just might be, in this sense, as average as anyone).

I'm in the same position - s'why I asked. Also, I suspect some of these things are often sold using the same stock photo which may or may not be representative of the actual product.

I'm the same.

[Ozymandius]

I would be interested in that, come January payday....

January works great as I'm not taking any new orders until after the 1st.

what does one paint them with?

I use acrylic enamel in a spray gun for a smooth finish, but rattle can paints work quite well too. Alternatively, I cast these birds in a jet black resin that can be polished.

Oh.... and how would postage be? That can be the killer (some nice options I've had to turn down in the past because postage was crippling).

Shipping to the UK is about $45 for one, and $65 for two.

Also, I suspect some of these things are often sold using the same stock photo which may or may not be representative of the actual product.

For the record, I'm a former Special FX artist for the movie industry and now freelance as a sculptor and mold maker for theme parks and corporate promotions. All of my work is done to museum quality standards and can withstand scrutiny from 2 inches away. I won't sell anything that I wouldn't be proud to display in my own home.

[DanielJones]

Do you have a version that has that time worn look to it? You know, the paint rubbed off here and there, looks like it has been passed around a few times through the centuries?

Cheers!

Dan

[Ozymandius]

You mean like this?

[Blackthorn]

Yes, like that.

[Big_Papi_T]

Edward, if you're looking to save a few bucks I can do a raw cast in black resin that you can paint yourself for $80.

Just curious, do you have a photo of the raw cast in black resin sans paint?