I got the belt and pouch I ordered from Civilized Galactic Gear yesterday morning and it *quite* made my day! Check it OUT!! These pieces will finish the final touches on my Jedi costume at long last. This is what I will be wearing to Dragon*Con in four days.
Tom Rehn of Civilized Galactic Gear is an *amazing* leather worker. I highly recommend him to all my Jedi friends if you are looking for not only screen-accurate, but functional and quality leather work. It might be a bit pricey for some, but the care and attention he gives both his work and customers is more than worth it. If I haven't convinced you of that by the end of this post, I'll eat my hat - nay, my belt!
Tom Rehn of Civilized Galactic Gear is an *amazing* leather worker. I highly recommend him to all my Jedi friends if you are looking for not only screen-accurate, but functional and quality leather work. It might be a bit pricey for some, but the care and attention he gives both his work and customers is more than worth it. If I haven't convinced you of that by the end of this post, I'll eat my hat - nay, my belt!
Exhibit #1: Medical Pouch Collage
I love this pouch - it is quality leather and functional! It opens and is perfect for storing such items as extra lightsaber batteries. My brother recommended I get a crystal to stick into it that can proxy an "extra lightsaber crystal" or something like that. I thought that was a great idea! It also smells great - I love the smell of leather.
Each of the clasps closes with a very sturdy magnet - accidental openings not likely - and it's very nicely monogrammed. Love it!! For more pouches by Tom, see his website here.
Exhibit #2: "Young Wizard Saber" Jedi belt
The belt is gorgeous, very thick and sturdy and looks exactly like I wanted! I couldn't ask for better.
Check out the cool belt buckle! The studs hold the cinch belt in place. Note that the belt buckle is functional and can be unsnapped, for ease of wear. The studs are the same used in the films, as well as the basic design.
The belt is beautifully monogrammed! I love that personal touch. It's very simple to put on: unsnap the front buckle, remove cinch belt from the studs, unhook the clasp in back, place around waist in front, slide the leather cover over to hide the attachment, slide belt around to front. Done! It has a very sturdy feel.
Here is an overhead view and a view of Tom's business cards from Civilized Galactic Gear! He recommends that one clip the food capsules and medical pouch from the cinch belt for functionality, but heavier items like a saber from the large belt, to avoid damaging the clasp of the cinch belt, which is delicate on this model. Check out Tom's other belt products here!
Story of the Belt Construction
Tom also hand-dyed this belt to approximately match the leather of my boots! The left photo shows a comparison of the clasp that he had (L) with the exact one on the website (R), to double-check if that was all right with me. The pictures on the right is an example of double stud placement. At first, I thought I wanted double studs, but looking at it, I found out I'd been mistaken. Pictures were very helpful!
From the first, he was extremely gracious in having me call and specify exact details, right down to the number of lines that I wanted on the belt. I sent him pictures of my boots for him to color match. Later, we nailed down that I didn't want the double studs after all and in the final edits, he asked me how many creases I wanted on the belt (center photo) with a line drawing showing the various options. Here's what Tom said about the crease options:
From the first, he was extremely gracious in having me call and specify exact details, right down to the number of lines that I wanted on the belt. I sent him pictures of my boots for him to color match. Later, we nailed down that I didn't want the double studs after all and in the final edits, he asked me how many creases I wanted on the belt (center photo) with a line drawing showing the various options. Here's what Tom said about the crease options:
"Ok, the drawing is Obi, EP3. The leather belt, is EP3 plus 2 more scored lines to 'frame' the cinch belt. The cinch belt has scored lines on EP3 belt only, and only in some scenes (which creates arguments with...some. Until I prove it. And I do). EP1 belt, same buckle, No lines At All! Padawans dress plain (?)."
I found all this belt detail quite fascinating as I did not know most of it! I went with the extra lines framing the cinch belt, as it just looks awesome (see belt pictures above).
Advice and Lore from Tom of Civilized Galactic Gear
Almost all Tom's discussions were great fun to read so I've included some below, in his words.
Getting the Belt On and Off - Tom's Instructions
Getting the Belt On and Off - Tom's Instructions
"Undo the buckle and cinch release to release the cinch (it's the top button of the belt buckle).
Remove the cinch from the studs. Slide the belt cover (in the back) over. Put the belt on, attaching in front. Twist belt (the belt hooks) so the hook is to the back. Slide hook cover over hook to hide hook. Fasten buckle in front. Attach pouches (To be a 'Jedi,' you do know the Rebels want you to have two, right?). The Medical pouch is made to fit on the cinch. Other pouches may be to o heavy and on THIS belt should go around the sash belt (wider belt). Go hunt Sith."
Tom's Comments on Belt Functionality
"Also, this belt, the saber hanger should, nay...Must, go on the Sash Belt (on the top). I hate it there. It is stupid there. Obi, has his there, because the cinch he had, the one you have, was too weak to support the pouches and sabers and capsules and everything else they had on their belts in the movies. Anakin's was the same way. Jedi with wider cinches, put their stuff on their cinches. Because it makes sense!"
Tidbit of Lore from Tom about Episode I
"If you have Blu-Ray, watch the Qui-Gon fight in EP1 with Maul. And watch his belt. Pouches appear, disappear, move; capsules, too. Because those pouches were Plastic resin casts of the 5 real Leather working ones, and every time Liam fell on them he got mad and ripped them off. The costume people would run in and put them back on, then he would move and bump into something, and then rip them off... See where that was going? The fight is hilarious when you know this."
Complimentary Food Capsules
I don't have good pictures of these but here they are! These are accessories for the Jedi belt and eight of them came complimentary with the belt purchase. I have made some of my own, but I only have silver, not the dark silver color, copper or gold - so - awesome!!
Food Capsule Lore
Click to enhance size.Below are some pictures of food capsules, as they appear on Jedi in the movies - the pouch too! It was one of the accessories they always wore. Food capsules are made from a Staedtler pen cap with a plastic hemisphere glued onto the end. Staedtler pens can be purchased at most Office Depots (if you can find them) and the plastic hemispheres can be ordered from a plastics company.
As a side-note, pouches in the movies were actually non-functioning solid plastic. .... but Tom's are real! He makes the imaginary come to life.
As a side-note, pouches in the movies were actually non-functioning solid plastic. .... but Tom's are real! He makes the imaginary come to life.
Me in Full Costume with New Accessories
My dad spent a good deal of time cropping and enhancing these on Friday night. He said he added a slight bit of enhancement to the color of the saber, in case you're wondering why it might look a bit odd - cool! - but odd. My costume is not optimized in this photo for "the perfect look." This was a very quick and dirty throw on of stuff. I hope to do better during Dragon*Con.
Addendum: About Tom Rehn, from his website
The following can be found on Tom's website and I really enjoyed reading how he got into this business and his costume/prop philosophy, so I thought I would share it here.
How Tom Got Into This Business
"In 1977 my father took me to see 'this movie' that he thought I would like. Later, after some 147 viewings, including dressing as the characters, to see 'this movie,' re-enacting, pretending to be, and re-creating the characters and costumes, I decided that I liked this movie and it has altered my life to this day.
The heroes' journey would be my path. Actor, Artist, Film Maker, Philosopher, Poet, Writer, Professional Skier and Student, allowed me to follow 'the road less traveled'.
Skiing, the mountains, and my creative streak have been my only true consistencies through out my life. One less traveled road lead me to be taught the art of leather craft by an Aspen Artist, who saw that I wished to accurately re-create costumes from film and paintings, for historical re-enacting.
Another road in the Spring of 2010 had my friends inviting me to a 'Sci-Fi' convention. When a Jedi walked by, I inquired as to why there was a chunk of plastic on his belt. I was told that that plastic was movie accurate. But I pointed out that we were neither in a movie, nor on a movie set. Why not have a genuine leather pouch? Well, objection lead to another drink, and I was told that the reason that Jedi Pouches are plastic and painted to look like leather, was because it was impossible to make a working Jedi pouch out of leather. Hmmm? Someone should do something about this. So I did!
Four months later, I had my 1st leather pouch; a prototype. The in awe 'nay sayers' asked if I could re-create it. I said that I could, and the pouches on these pages are the proof. When I showed them to one of my art professors he asked how I had rediscovered the lost art, of how the Byzantines used to make their leather armor? What? Well for 1), I did not know that their leather armor making art was lost, and 2), if it was lost, how did he know that? I told him that each takes about 8 days to make, and I did it on a dare. He told me that they were beautiful, and I should make more of these. Many more of these.
I have now turned my hobby, passion, creativity, and dare into a business."
- A. Tom R.
*Can be found at the following link.
The heroes' journey would be my path. Actor, Artist, Film Maker, Philosopher, Poet, Writer, Professional Skier and Student, allowed me to follow 'the road less traveled'.
Skiing, the mountains, and my creative streak have been my only true consistencies through out my life. One less traveled road lead me to be taught the art of leather craft by an Aspen Artist, who saw that I wished to accurately re-create costumes from film and paintings, for historical re-enacting.
Another road in the Spring of 2010 had my friends inviting me to a 'Sci-Fi' convention. When a Jedi walked by, I inquired as to why there was a chunk of plastic on his belt. I was told that that plastic was movie accurate. But I pointed out that we were neither in a movie, nor on a movie set. Why not have a genuine leather pouch? Well, objection lead to another drink, and I was told that the reason that Jedi Pouches are plastic and painted to look like leather, was because it was impossible to make a working Jedi pouch out of leather. Hmmm? Someone should do something about this. So I did!
Four months later, I had my 1st leather pouch; a prototype. The in awe 'nay sayers' asked if I could re-create it. I said that I could, and the pouches on these pages are the proof. When I showed them to one of my art professors he asked how I had rediscovered the lost art, of how the Byzantines used to make their leather armor? What? Well for 1), I did not know that their leather armor making art was lost, and 2), if it was lost, how did he know that? I told him that each takes about 8 days to make, and I did it on a dare. He told me that they were beautiful, and I should make more of these. Many more of these.
I have now turned my hobby, passion, creativity, and dare into a business."
- A. Tom R.
*Can be found at the following link.
Tom's Philosophy on Accuracy vs Functionality: Belts
"After making and testing these belts, I have discovered some interesting things about their designs and why things in the films were done the way they were done, and why I have chosen to slightly deviate from what is seen on the screen.
"I am convinced that the boots of the main characters were used from scene to scene, and movie to movie, which is why they looked tested and worn. In almost every scene the boots look worn, but the belts show no sign of age. But I believe they must have gone through many, many belts. The Belts look new (at least on the principle characters), complete with fresh cut frayed leather edges. That does not occur if the belt is used.
"I have built my pouches to hang on the 'cinch' part of the belts; not the main belt with 'hooks,' as in the films. Why? Because the only reason to have 'a hook' be a 'pouch necessity' is to be able to have the characters sit. (i.e. If the pouches were not in the shot, and the person sitting would have been uncomfortable with them on, they could be slid off, so thus, this was done.)
"Also, some of the belts look great with small features (such as my 'Old Wizard' and 'Shock' saber belts; which are two of my favorites , but in reality, that small cinch will take a beating, which is why they have the thicker ounce leather. This may upset some people, that I have meandered away from 'canon' but, I am trying to make not 'what was imagined for the movies,' but 'what was intended in their Universe to have them exist, and to exist in it.' And that takes some thought and trial and error to perfect this, let alone make this statement.
"The rest of the cinches on the other belts are fine, unless, of course, you hang a Gundar from any of them. Then you are on your own.
"Please feel free to inquire as to what, in my opinion, will work with what.
"My comments on 'costuming practicality' stem from my 30+ years of experience of making and wearing historically accurate clothing before I delved into this clothing from 'long, longer ago.'
"I found that things, that may have looked great on film, because a costumer thought it looked good, just didn't hold up to the reality of the way real world haberdashers made the really real 'from history' items.
"I found this out when something I copied 'exactly from a movie' did not hold up in the real world I was playing in. When this would happen, I would consult the best record of what did work; Museum Paintings. And those items in paintings around the knight's waist, were held there by things made to last.
"Until the modern advent of anything plastic, artists worked hard not to get a bad reputation. I am trying to do the same by making things the olde real world way. Hand made, wearable art, with a sense of lived in style.
'Nuff said."
-A. Tom R.
*I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy. This note can be found at the bottom of his belt page here.
"I am convinced that the boots of the main characters were used from scene to scene, and movie to movie, which is why they looked tested and worn. In almost every scene the boots look worn, but the belts show no sign of age. But I believe they must have gone through many, many belts. The Belts look new (at least on the principle characters), complete with fresh cut frayed leather edges. That does not occur if the belt is used.
"I have built my pouches to hang on the 'cinch' part of the belts; not the main belt with 'hooks,' as in the films. Why? Because the only reason to have 'a hook' be a 'pouch necessity' is to be able to have the characters sit. (i.e. If the pouches were not in the shot, and the person sitting would have been uncomfortable with them on, they could be slid off, so thus, this was done.)
"Also, some of the belts look great with small features (such as my 'Old Wizard' and 'Shock' saber belts; which are two of my favorites , but in reality, that small cinch will take a beating, which is why they have the thicker ounce leather. This may upset some people, that I have meandered away from 'canon' but, I am trying to make not 'what was imagined for the movies,' but 'what was intended in their Universe to have them exist, and to exist in it.' And that takes some thought and trial and error to perfect this, let alone make this statement.
"The rest of the cinches on the other belts are fine, unless, of course, you hang a Gundar from any of them. Then you are on your own.
"Please feel free to inquire as to what, in my opinion, will work with what.
"My comments on 'costuming practicality' stem from my 30+ years of experience of making and wearing historically accurate clothing before I delved into this clothing from 'long, longer ago.'
"I found that things, that may have looked great on film, because a costumer thought it looked good, just didn't hold up to the reality of the way real world haberdashers made the really real 'from history' items.
"I found this out when something I copied 'exactly from a movie' did not hold up in the real world I was playing in. When this would happen, I would consult the best record of what did work; Museum Paintings. And those items in paintings around the knight's waist, were held there by things made to last.
"Until the modern advent of anything plastic, artists worked hard not to get a bad reputation. I am trying to do the same by making things the olde real world way. Hand made, wearable art, with a sense of lived in style.
'Nuff said."
-A. Tom R.
*I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy. This note can be found at the bottom of his belt page here.