Sample Room

Ever wonder what happens to samples, prototypes, one-offs, remainders of discontinued production runs etc. from a factory and if these things are still floating around?  We did too and it turns out not too much.  Why were they made in the first place and where are they now?  We found our answer when we visited the Windlass factory and our goal was to search and acquire.  Most people don't realize the extent to which samples and presentations are made throughout a year from major companies, it literally happens every few weeks and that's a lot of stuff that never gets used or sees the light of day.  A tragedy in our opinion.  OK, not all designs should see the light of day and we had to bury a few, ah interesting attempts, but many should. 
 
Movies, TV, Theater
We are frequently contacted by movie studios, producers, theater companies, prop masters, costumers and armorers for unique designs.  Nearly all have a good idea of what they need, but rarely know the design specifics.  Heck, many don't even know which character will end up with a design.  They just know they want to see something and lots of it and when they see the "right" design then they'll tell you what they want.  Thus they ask for options, options and more options.  Sometimes we have storyboards or concept art, sometimes nothing more than a broad verbal idea.  Either way you get many interesting pieces.
 
Even when selected, a piece might not be ultimately worked into a shot or scene and if it does there's no guarantee it won't end up on the cutting room floor.  Many times we don't know how a piece will be used or seen until the production is complete and we see it the same time you do.  If it's not used/seen or licensed and then put into production all the odd pieces are left lying about with no place to go.  Some are re-used in other presentations, but the majority collect nothing but dust.
  
Examples
When we supplied Quantum of Solace with knife designs for the set we had broad descriptions of scenes to work with and general character identities.  For one character alone we supplied a dozen different options.  Cool right?  We'll be on screen for sure!  Did all you Bond fans notice all the knives in the theatrical release?  Neither did we.  Oh well, now we have extra designs.
 
Movie productions of all sorts and budgets take place constantly from well funded big budget thrillers like Iron Man to student projects for graduation.  We're involved in many.  If a set asks for 50 swords and 10 daggers we make them, but when it comes down to shooting there are always changes.  There may now only be 20 stunt men in the scene so it's all they ultimately take, the scene may be scrapped entirely or even the entire production if something drastic happens and they don't take any.  Movies are a gamble and now we have extras.
 
Discontinued items are their own beast.  We may have every intention to make X number of swords, so we sculpt and cast pommels and cross guards accordingly.  Hand forged blades take longer and are made to order.  If the first wave of swords does not sell well, production may be halted leaving many parts left over.  Production runs get started and stopped with little notice leaving extra parts available.
 
Anyway, this is a glimpse of the how and why some items make this section.  We hope you enjoy all the creative designs and know you'll have something pretty unique to share with your friends.  Do to contracts, NDA's and so forth we're not always able to divulge details of where a piece came from, but you may just end up with something made for an action star you'd know while walking down the street.  Kind of cool having something with a little secret built in isn't it?