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[Sandar Ortan]

I am in the very middle of this build, but I thought I would show where I am at now:









Still tinkering with some attachment issues, but I am mostly there. The crushgaunts are also mostly planned out, the right side will have a kind of double flamethrower mounted on, maybe something else at the side, we shall see.

The helmet seems to be slightly cursed, this is my second attempt. It is still too large, my eyes are at the bottom of the eyeslit, and it chafes onto my chestplate:





Regarding my weapons: two DC 17 hand blasters, one DC 17m, several knives, a Beskad, a bowstaff, and some grenades here and there. For this, I am planning to make some kind of rig. All of this is 3d-printed, but all of it still needs sanding and all of those good things.

Some traumaplates are also missing in these pictures. I made the grave mistake of carelessly grinding down the burr at the screwholes, which left some nasty, visible scratches in the metal. As I want to have this kit in pristine condition (my Boba Fett build is the exact opposite - so I have enough dirt and scratches on that one), these have to go. Also, it is still visible even if these plates will be painted matte black. For the edges of the aluminium I will use some bright red edge protection, so it will be a nice contrast.

So still tons to do, but that's why we are here.

[Sandar Ortan]

The helmet shown is reprinting right now in a smaller scale.

In the meantime, I decided to go for this configuration with this type of helmet: https://www.renderhub.com/lafactorystore/mandalorian-knight-custom-helmet-3d-print-model

After some clearing up of our barn, I dug out this old treasure:


It is very difficult to sell these. They were custom-made for me 20 years ago and very well used during the times I trained for dressage very intensifely. As I cannot bring myself to discard them (these things cost a little fortune then, and even more now), I asked in the German section whether they could be approvable. As this was positive, I sat down and played a little with Mando Creator:



This could be a nice, lighter setup for summer. I might even go as far as to use fingerless gloves. The boots itself are surprisingly not hot, and very comfortable for me. I will use the visored helmet for this, print a pair of gauntlets and knees. Whether this will be considered an upgrade or an entirely new kit remains still to be seen.

As this kit will be not weathered, those boots have to be sent to a cobbler for an overhaul. I basically only cleaned them thoroughly when I put them away and that was it. But after a little bit of TLC, they will literally shine again. To cut off the little tab with the logo is quickly done, and the zip will get a cover. That's it.

[Sandar Ortan]

Finally, the right crushgaunt works:







Still much sanding and polishing to do. Also have to decide what all of the buttons and stuff do.

[Ca'tra Hettyc]

Woah, this kit looks amazing so far!! Great job!   

[Sandar Ortan]

In order to get away from that dangerous "knight crossover territory", I decided to ditch the high-gloss polishing (my husband told me it would dull pretty soon anyways), and laid down my paint scheme in Mando Creator:



Most of it will be in teal, the accent colour a warm yellow-golden. I am still looking for the right shade, as I am very picky here. I think these colours will go very nicely with the black and red, which I will keep.

As the "Bullseye" helmet turned out simply too long for me, I decided to instead choose this model:

https://www.renderhub.com/lafactorystore/mandalorian-knight-custom-helmet-3d-print-model

I think it fits the overall design scheme much better. It will be a nightmare to sand, I am sure. But I will get by.

By the way, this is my sigil:



I chose a Guarlara, because it is the closest I could find in the Star Wars universe to a horse (although they kill me now due to heavy asthma, I still love them. I was a very serious dressage rider in my days, so I want to include that in this kit). I hope to achieve a similar effect to this image.

This is how it looks currently:



I will try my luck with masking liquid. We shall see how this works (sometimes it does not work, I am worried about the stuff stubbornly sticking to the tiny details).

[Sandar Ortan]

Trauma plate with sigil and opposite shoulder trauma plate done:





(By the way: my mount is a dropout from the Naboo Royal Stables. He has a bit of an issue with aggression. That's how I got him - for a good bit of credits, of course. And that's how I designed my sigil.)

[Sandar Ortan]

Pauldrons colored and all put together:



I also got the "teal" colour. Sprayed onto the aluminium, it turned out very bright. Too bright for my liking. We all know there only one sensible way to change that...with weathering.

By now, I am down with that. I am spending my time as a Mando almost permanently with an animal which is, for the most part, very similar to a horse. And that means - no way for me to stay squeaky-clean longterm. Consqeuently, a good bit of dirt and grime, nicely spread over the entire kit, is on order.

Scratches here and there will come naturally, I am sure. Although I will create one with a fitting gardening tool all over the plates. A souvenir from my mount when I had my very first meetup with him. Maybe he stepped also on my toes several times, so you will see it as well.

[Sandar Ortan]

Visored helmet works:





Now I just have to make it beautiful...

Bootplates finally finished and all screws secured with Loctite (it is really not much fun if you hear that "pling" every time you do a photoshoot):

[Sandar Ortan]

Sooo...I managed to create the rigging for the blaster holsters:









I think I will still glue some nice leather over the GFK. I will also a third strap running through the top slit, connecting to the belt where some my other stuff will be located (e.g. a waterbottle). This will also have quick-connect buckles (salvaged from old motorcylce helmets). With that, it will be easily possible to quickly separate the top belt from the second belt.

The fillings for these two are still in the works...but they will make it.

[Sandar Ortan]

And...my bucket:



This self-portrait was really not easy...but I managed.

[Sandar Ortan]

I just threw on what I got up to now. Please ignore the two long leather straps hanging at my belt. In this case, they are a bug, not a feature (no, I am not trying to introduce a Mandalorian frockcoat ). This will be the next step of evolution of this kit. Also, I put on the second belt sloppily, it is not attached to its velcro. Right now, I am think I will try to get this approved as-is. But it will not be its final form, much more upgrades still to come (hey, I did not make those marvelous crushgaunts just for the collection of dust).









The neck protector is happily hanging out. I did not make this myself, the velcro is rather weak. As soon as I move my head, it goes "plop". Have to do something about that...nothing worse than constant fiddling with your kit.

[Ca'tra Hettyc]

Looks fantastic so far, vod!
I think it should be easy to remove the old velcro and replace it with industrial strength. I might have to do the same on the neck part of my flak vest which seems very weak to me.

[Sandar Ortan]

I added more velcro. Now it stays in place. And I learnt to tuck the fabric carefully under my flightsuit shirt (my Boba kit does not require a neckseal). So now this looks clean.

[Sandar Ortan]

The kit as it stands now:











The mag pouches still need some weathering, and those back attachment points as well. Otherwise, it is ready for basic approval. Fingers crossed that the weather will clear up around here for this weekend...it is snowing right now.

Longterm, I intend to push that kit towards two brigades: heavy (adding a pair of biceps and elbow armour plus the crush gaunts), and beast tamer (already wearing those spurs, bullwhip on the way). A bite guard will be added to the left one of those simple gaunts (most likely some foam, covered with leather. Something soft at first, but finally being stopped by aluminium - I mean Beskar).
I guess some kind of black fur representing a Guarlara's coat can be found and added somehwere. My kama is already lined with that stuff, but you do not see that. From what I have read, it must be visible. Maybe add a fur trim to my cape. Regarding the other two? Don't know yet. As a sign of affection...how to do that? Make a plushie out of Guarlara fur?
Regarding a blade: I already have a beskad printed, but still needs more processing and a scabbard. Have to find a reasonable spot on my kit for that, but I already have an idea. As the blasters are that low down, maybe the whip on one side, and the blade on the other one? We shall see.

[Sandar Ortan]

The basic kit is done:









After that, we had some fun in the snow:









EDIT: I was told I had to have two waist items. I did count the wide leather belt to which the kama is attached as such. Oh well...guess I will do the belt for the beskad much sooner then I thought. Hope it will be okay to have just the belt, as due to weather conditions, there is no way I can paint the little bugger right now (I am forbidden to spraypaint inside our house. Our shop has outside temperature, as it is not heated. Soo...patience it is).