Does anybody know where to get a realistic prop machete? I want something that even up close it looks real. I have seen some, but their paint jobs are bad and the "blade" is to thick.
I make my own, use lexan (available from plastic supply houses) cut it to shape and then heat the corners to remove sharpness. I then have the lexan blade chrome plated, then you have to age it a bit with paint and add the plastic handles from a real machete.
The up side is that you can normally get several great props out of one sheet of Lexan. I know its alot of work but its worth it, the prop machete will also take a beating as Lexan is bullet proof in the proper thickness.
Allen H
I love the look of the foam props, however with my actors they wouldn't last ONE night, much less a month! Heck I don't think the real thing would last a month!
I like Allen's Lexan solution, any trouble in the fact that there isn't much plastic when you come down to the handle as opposed to the blade area??
I will either use a sabre saw (jig saw) with a plastic blade, or a rotary cutter in my steroid dremel (the big one).
depending on thickness I might also use a soldering iron or hot knife.
Allen H
Alright thanks. I found a place on eBay that has it for a good price. Would you recommend any paint, I know some paints are not going to stick well to the plastic.
Kryolon maskes a spray paint just for plastic called fusion. It works very well. Base it black first then the chrome. Mist the chrome on until it looks the way you want it to.
Allen H
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