The elusive Temple of Doom sword

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 8:16 pm

Hey all,

Yes, I've read the threads, I've seen the discussions over the last few years about this prop that I think many of us would buy if it was replicated in functional carbon steel - yet no one has been able to do it.

Over the last few years, I've come to the solid determination that it is a derivative of the Khyber fighting knives out of Afghanistan, though much longer.

I found a link to photos of a blade (note, I said blade and not handle), that is the closest I have seen in shape and length to Indy's bridge sword.

http://therionarms.com/sold/therionarms_t438.html

Sadly this blade is already sold and I can't find any similar blades in searches.

There is an 18-inch Khyber knife that is sold, but the blade is too short and tapers to a point that is unlike the Indy blade.

Does anyone know of any other blademakers or smithys that might be able to make this elusive prop a reality for all of us?

IndyFrench

KingNothing · Post by **KingNothing** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:19 pm

Have you tried Tony Swatton??

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:26 pm

I wish my dad was still alive. He was a great swordmaker -- since I am a fight director he made over 200 weapons for me. Not one of them broke in a show and his work has been seen on Scooby Doo 2, Eureka, Supernatural, Stargate, Young Blades, etc... He passed away at the young age of 88 from cancer. I really should post some pics of his work.

Cheers
Nick

Risu · Post by **Risu** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:34 pm

I'd be really interested in seeigna thread on those sword Nick.

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:40 am

I'll take some pics of some examples of his work and post them as soon as I get a chance.

Bemo · Post by **Bemo** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:57 pm

Finding someone to replicate the sword isn't really a problem. It really comes down to quality desired and economics. I'm friends with a custom knife maker who could easily do the job (and then do variations that would be truly gorgeous, African Blackwood with dragons breath patterned damascus steel anyone?). However, the cost would be prohibitive for most. His Fowler style hunting knives with big horn sheep antler handles will easily fetch $1500 for a 4" blade and over $2000 for 7" blades.

Just something to consider.

Peaceful thoughts

Bemo

IndyTaz · Post by **IndyTaz** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:30 am

I'd love to see some of your Dad's work too Nick.

If someone could give me dimensions and a pic I could have a go......LOL

Taz

Chevalier Krak · Post by **Chevalier Krak** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:11 am

Do you mean this one? If so, does anyone have a good pic of the hilt?

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:36 pm

Nick, you said your dad made something for Stargate, I´m sorry but as a great Stargate fan I´m interested in what he made for them

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:41 pm

It was the sword I used as the Black knight in the episode "Camelot" in Season 9. I played both the Shiny Knight in episode 1pt 2 (Avalon) of season 9 and the Black Knight as well.

Both times I fought Ben Bowder. I think he talks about me in the behind the scenes stuff on the DVD.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:57 pm

Can someone post some good pics of the sword - detailed pics please.

It's possible to replicate any prop, with the right reference material.

Indiana Charles · Post by **Indiana Charles** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:30 am

From cropped screen grabs:

A publicity shot:

And some threads that might have some info:

viewtopic.php?t=13582&highlight=tod+machete
viewtopic.php?t=21461&highlight=tod+knife
viewtopic.php?t=21612&highlight=tod+sword
viewtopic.php?t=5586&highlight=tod+sword+knife+machete

If someone could get additional screen grabs it would help in narrowing down what the overall look is (specifically the hilt).

I.C.

Indiana Max · Post by **Indiana Max** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:04 am

Got this one, please let me hear some comments, do you think is it close enough

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:43 am

The blade is close - probably a little too curved. The hilt on the other hand has more pirate going on for it than Khyber-style fighting knife.

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:10 am

not too bad looking, i didnt realize it was so 'shiny' and always believed it to be more machete like

Argonaut · Post by **Argonaut** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:24 am

nicktheguy wrote:It was the sword I used as the Black knight in the episode "Camelot" in Season 9. I played both the Shiny Knight in episode 1pt 2 (Avalon) of season 9 and the Black Knight as well.

Both times I fought Ben Bowder. I think he talks about me in the behind the scenes stuff on the DVD.

Man that is so awesome. I'm a pretty big Stargate fan as well.

jeremy3178 · Post by **jeremy3178** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:36 pm

Here is a good shot of one of the sword hilts....assuming they are basically the same, this is the sword Indy whips out of the Thugee's hand and over the ledge.

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:41 pm

I am seeing three different swords here.

jeremy3178 · Post by **jeremy3178** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:14 pm

Another shot of the hilt.....

IndyFan89 · Post by **IndyFan89** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:38 pm

Magnoli could make alot of bucks if he could reproduce these things!

PyramidBlaster · Post by **PyramidBlaster** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:34 pm

I was looking into the issue of coming up with a 'close enough', because no-one makes Khyber knives the size we want, and the ones on the market are antique and $$$....

That said, my lifelong fascination with machetes has led me to a pretty good close-enough, I think.

I'm looking at a Martindale model 14-710-01 machete, made in the U.K. for many years....Not a bad shape, and the size is about right (28" blade!)...A little shaping of the blade, and some work to the (wood!) handle, and I may have something...Until such time as someone starts making the real thing.

http://www.ralphmartindale.co.uk/ralphm ... rope1.html

I'm currently trying to lay my hands on one of these buggers. The 28" models are a little hard to find. They also make the model 15, but I'd have to do a lot more shaping to the handle....Easier to find, though. And not terribly expensive (like $20-$30)

Weston · Post by **Weston** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:53 pm

That last pic by Indiana Charles and Rick5150, the blade looks totally transparent, like it was made of glass.

Weston

Indiana Bond · Post by **Indiana Bond** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:18 am

There is a screen used prop sword for sale for $1,399.00 on our favorite auction sight.

"ORIGINAL SCREEN USED THUGGEE SWORT FROM INDIANA JONES"

It has photos showing the handle and blade. I've saved them for further reference in the future. If authentic, it may be just the reference we need!

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:20 am

That's one of the Thuggee's swords that gets brandished on the bridge - not the one Indy uses.

jeremy3178 · Post by **jeremy3178** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:25 am

Could they really be all that different though?

Post by **Mike** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:19 am

Um…yep. Like Rick5150, from the pics above I see at least three different handle variations, which are all different from the Thuggee swords.

Indiana Bond · Post by **Indiana Bond** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:02 pm

Didn't Indy get the sword he uses to cut the bridge from one of the Thuggee's? Wouldn't that make it one of the Thuggee swords? He sure wasn't carying that thing in his MKVII or under his hat!

IB

jeremy3178 · Post by **jeremy3178** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:06 pm

Ok, I just looked at that sword up for auction. That is clearly not the sword Indy used, it's totally different. The Thugee on the bridge used these, not the two guys Indy fought just before the bridge. Indy's sword looks thicker, not as long, and has a straighter blade.

Indiana Bond · Post by **Indiana Bond** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:48 pm

Where does Indy get the sword he uses to cut the bridge?

jeremy3178 · Post by **jeremy3178** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:55 pm

From one of the Thugee on the cliff....He whips one over the ledge and then grabs the other one from the guy laying on the ground. The scene is pretty poorly edited if you ask me. I've watched it 1000 times and it just looks funny to me, like something is missing.

All I'm saying is there are 2 different types of swords, the khyber looking one and the long skinny curved bladed one.

Indy uses the khyber.

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:15 pm

Ok, I just looked at that sword up for auction. That is clearly not the sword Indy used, it's totally different. The Thugee on the bridge used these, not the two guys Indy fought just before the bridge. Indy's sword looks thicker, not as long, and has a straighter blade.

That's what I said!

jeremy3178 · Post by **jeremy3178** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:02 pm

Sorry Frenchy, I missed your post. You were right.

ortiz344 · Post by **ortiz344** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:28 pm

well, i gave up and settle for a knockoff of the old uc piece, but its like twice as big, i really like it actually
its like 2 feet long with a scabbard...

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/sho ... 0&format=0

jeremy3178 · Post by **jeremy3178** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:30 pm

Cool man, I like it.

Post by **Indy Magnoli** » Thu May 01, 2008 8:46 pm

Looks like Noble Collection will be offering this sword. At least is seems to be a replica and not just some random creation like the Khyber Bowie was:

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/ ... 3&catid=69

Kind regards,
Magnoli

Long John Tinfoil · Post by **Long John Tinfoil** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:34 pm

These folks say they deal with makers all over the world and will try to source what you don't see on their site.

http://www.reliks.com/

IndyFrench · Post by **IndyFrench** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:52 pm

I'm all over that Noble Collection machete! Good thing it doesn't ship until October. Gives me some time to save up!

Indiana Bond · Post by **Indiana Bond** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:50 am

Well it looks like the actual screen used Machette is being auctioned off. Some really great pics so check it out!

IB

http://www.profilesinhistory.com/new/in ... iew&id=351

Indiana Bond · Post by **Indiana Bond** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:02 am

Also, Has anyone ordered that Noble Collection machette that Magnoli pointed out? It looks like the shipping date has been pushed back from October to December 7th. Looks pretty close to the original that's being auctioned off.

Why do they have a map of South America behind that machette when it was India where he used it?

IB

http://www.noblecollection.com/catalog/ ... 3&catid=69

Indiana Neri · Post by **Indiana Neri** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:47 am

jeremy3178 wrote:From one of the Thugee on the cliff....He whips one over the ledge and then grabs the other one from the guy laying on the ground. The scene is pretty poorly edited if you ask me. I've watched it 1000 times and it just looks funny to me, like something is missing.

All I'm saying is there are 2 different types of swords, the khyber looking one and the long skinny curved bladed one.

Indy uses the khyber.

In the movie, Indy uses his whip to disarm one of the Thugee of his sword. In this scene HF (which I think were resin or rubber or even shiny plastic for safety reasons) whips the sword out of the Thugge's hand and the sword goes OVER the cliff. In the next cut, Indy appears to pick up one of the swords from another Thuggee and runs up to the camera yelling. I think it is very well possible for there to be multiple swords both in the Indy-world and our "real" world. Baldwyn has a resin STUNT sword that was used to cut the rope. I'm sure the Profiles In History sword is the HERO sword - which would be used in close ups and promotional shots. If there IS a third then it's OBVIOUSLY the one the Noble Collection is offering

Just kidding, if there is a third then it just could be a different variation of the Thuggee sword. In the movie, they all have different swords. On a side note, assuming the PiH sword is the HERO sword, I think United Cutlery did a pretty decent job interpreting the movie sword, minus the "signature" on the blade of course. The overall shape and design is spot on.

;-)

Chiliana Jones · Post by **Chiliana Jones** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:24 am

Magno · Post by **Magno** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:54 pm

THAT is a good picture.

See, otherwise we would have no idea that the handle was that thick.

Indiana Neri · Post by **Indiana Neri** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:42 am

See, otherwise we would have no idea that the handle was that thick.

...and apparentley, very light in weight. Either that, or he's got the bite of a grizley bear.

;-)

Bruce Wayne · Post by **Bruce Wayne** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:58 pm

Indiana Neri wrote:
See, otherwise we would have no idea that the handle was that thick.
...and apparentley, very light in weight. Either that, or he's got the bite of a grizley bear.

;-)

well he did buff up for the movie...

golpeo_rapidamente · Post by **golpeo_rapidamente** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:21 am

cocieted ape mad a really cool one

he has jury duty this week but im sure he will be all over this like a purple wet suit

SonofJoker · Post by **SonofJoker** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:27 am

This one isn't quite screen acurate, but still looks great. http://www.trueswords.com/indiana-jones ... -3556.html

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:03 am

SonofJoker wrote:This one isn't quite screen acurate, but still looks great. http://www.trueswords.com/indiana-jones ... -3556.html

I have this one. It is merely a display piece, not sharp at all. It is decent to look at, but is only about a foot and a half long...

Nibs

Indiana Joosse · Post by **Indiana Joosse** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:53 am

Indiana Neri wrote:
See, otherwise we would have no idea that the handle was that thick.
...and apparentley, very light in weight. Either that, or he's got the bite of a grizley bear.

;-)

Henry Senior already said it in Highlander:

B-A-L-A-N-C-E

BOINKFFD · Post by **BOINKFFD** » Mon Dec 01, 2008 2:15 pm

There was one on display at Disney MGM a few years back in the Hollywood ride?
I have looked for the pictures but must not have a shot of it.

Andymac84 · Post by **Andymac84** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:37 am

Chiliana Jones wrote:

That's the best shot that I've seen 'til now.