Astray ______ Frame; Work Log #4

Continuing with the huge-ass weapon. Let's have a look, shall we?

Looks like some kind of mecha harpoon for a rather large, mechanical Moby Dick.



Shall I be painting painting this piece to spice it up?

It's enormous! Really, how is this guy supposed to hold this thing? I see the handle has a hollow so it can be gripped in the hand. Ok..

Assembled before work; Day 5

I stood this baby up next to the Sinanju and it surpasses it in height.

I give to thee...

Time to talk about the katana. Or is it Tachi? Well, let's call them mecha nihontou. Wait, is Gundam Astray civilization based in Japan? Ah, who cares. Let's talk about the included weapons.

Being a person who is very interested in Japanese swords (I practice with them, admire them, study about them, and have a few in my collection) I was very happy to see that Bandai had made some effort in these MG blades.
Most noticeably on the nakago (the part of the blade that goes inside the handle). Here you can see mei, or signature. The one on the left reads Kiku Ichimonji, which is a very famous part of the Ichimonji school of swordmakers, while the one on the right reads Kotetsu, who is probably one of the most famous sword makers in Japanese history. I thought this was a nice touch by Bandai. Btw, if anyone out there is interested in learning more about/studying Japanese blades, the book to have is called The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords. It has everything you need to begin, and continue, studying traditionally made japanese blades. It's probably the best book in english available and Amazon has it for a pretty good price. You're welcome.
While I appreciated the mei, I was disappointed to see no yokote or kissaki. Now I am just being picky.
With the tsuka (handle) on. I haven't put the tsuba or kashira on as I took them home to be painted earlier in the week.
The saya, or sheath, is relatively simple, no?

Assembled during lunch; Day 5

I have nuts.



And I use them to make this.
This will definitely be used a lot when it comes to posing this mecha and its monstrosity of a weapon.

Assembled before work; Day 6

So the frame is all finished which means I took it apart to use my hobby knife and remove nubs and whatnot, then divide the pieces into different sections in their own plastic bags. Now to take them home and paint them! Will I be done this weekend?
I hope so! I still have a Victory Gundam to finish decaling and the Unicorn arrives next week.