getting large props to other places

[Ditto]

As most of you know most characters have props as part of their costume, swords, other weapons, or whatever it may be. Generally in a cosplay a prop (or lack of a prop) will be the defining feature of a costume. My issue is that I am thinking of going to AX next year, but I happen to be in Colorado. I don't have a driver's license or else I would just drive out there. My friend is not allowed to drive out there unless he has more people with us that will also drive (like take turns). Besides that the issue I have is that pretty much all my cosplays have props. These props are either too big (thus expensive to ship), I don't trust shipping them/putting them on a plane, or I worry about TSA freaking out about them. so I am wondering if you guys have any ideas as to get there props over, some aren't too big but others are 6'~8' long and 1'~5' wide, they are mostly pretty strong but should be handled with a lot of care. I say this because I don't want people suggesting shipping methods known to not treat packages with care *coughupscough*. I am sure I will figure it out (since i kinda have to) but it's always nice to see what other people think of. thanks in advance.

[Leader Desslock]

Question: What in the HELL cosplay are you doing that requires a prop that big? Are you carrying around a full backdrop of the Hidden Leaf village to cosplay as Naruto? A 1-1 scale Gamabunta, maybe? :lol:

Suggestion: Make your props in such a way that they can be broken down and assembled on site. That way you'll be able to transport them more securely (in a ski box or smething) on the oversize rack at the airport. As long as you pack 'em right and your container is moderately crush-proof, you should have no problems.

[Caster13]

desslock is right. thats seriously huge. and how the hell are you going to move this around at a con!? WHAT THE **** ARE THESE BEHEMOTHS!?

[Soluzar]

This thread is worthless without pictures.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

I second Desslock's suggestion. Make props that can be broken down into sizes that are easy to transport. If you plan on going by plane, then it would be ideal if you could break down your props to fit into your suitcase, but if your props are up to eight feet long, then that might be difficult.

It would also help if you could supply pictures, or at least detailed descriptions, of these props. It's hard to give you suggestions as to how to transport them if we don't know what they look like.

[GreatNekoKoneko]

or better yet, forget the props and concentrate on a costume that requires smaller props. i have seen many a cosplayer that have put all their emphasis on the props rather than on the costume, which is not good. concentrate more you r costume, then the prop. besides, people wanna take pics of you, seldom the prop.

[Ditto]

I will personally have a Buster Sword and a random Soul Slayer. I'm sure you all know the buster sword (if not a picture of mine is here (http://images.cosplay.com/showphoto.php?photo=447406)) and a soul slayer is just a regular katana. I will also have Yasutora Sado's new arm (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5a/Yasutora_Sado_Arm_Upgrade.JPG). My friend will have Uryuu Ishida's "Last Quincy" bow (can't find a picture of it), as well as Squall's Gunblade and/or his Lionheart.

[Mikadzuki Tatsu]

Have you already made the arm? If not, then you can probably make an arm that can be broken down for packing and then reassembled once you reach AX. I see up to five separate pieces you can make that can be joined together at certain points. And since I'm much better with visuals, here is a picture (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/4Tatsu-hime1999/Yasutora_Sado_Arm_Upgrade.jpg) - the red marks indicate the joining points.

You can probably something similar with the Last Quincy bow. What I'm picturing is a bow made of hollow tubes with a wire running through them. Pull the pieces apart and bind them for transporation, and then when your friend is ready to display bow, just untie the three pieces and let them snap into place. I don't know how easy that would be to make, but that's one solution to your prop size problem.

Now, the Buster Sword presents a bit of problem due to its size, and unfortunately, I have no solutions there. -_-; If you hadn't already made it, I would have suggested making it in pieces and then putting the pieces together - in other words, finish making it - once you reached AX, but I don't know how realistic that is. I know someone who makes cosplay weaponry, but I don't know much about it myself.