Adam Savage Speed Builds a Prop Dagger at Wētā Workshop!

While visiting Wētā Workshop fabrication area, Adam embeds with prop maker Joseph Harlow to learn the art of speed building prop swords and daggers to use as set dressing. Adam designs and builds his own dagger for display in Wētā Workshop Unleashed's Dragon Fire Forge stage!
Wētā Workshop Unleashed: tours.wetaworkshop.com/unleas...
See photos from the exhibition at / wetaworkshopunleashed
The Production Design of Wētā Workshop Unleashed: • Adam Savage Behind the...
Creating a Bigature for Wētā Workshop Unleashed: • Worldbuilding a "Bigat...
Inside Wētā Workshop's Animatronics Lab: • Inside Wētā Workshop's...
Grass Flocking at Wētā Workshop: • Adam Savage Learns Gra...
See more prop making projects from Joseph @joeharlow_art on Instagram: / joeharlow_art
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#wetaworkshop #adamsavage

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Wētā Workshop Unleashed: tours.wetaworkshop.com/unleashed/ See photos from the exhibition at instagram.com/wetaworkshopunleashed The Production Design of Wētā Workshop Unleashed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omrNh513is6ll9k Creating a Bigature for Wētā Workshop Unleashed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqOYe3V_nr18bpo Inside Wētā Workshop's Animatronics Lab: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4u8gKidqZh1o9k Grass Flocking at Wētā Workshop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJS9k6tumsmEhq8 See more prop making projects from Joseph @joeharlow_art on Instagram: instagram.com/joeharlow_art/

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

I hear in some countries they have computers to do this on much more accurately and quickly! More absurd swords and dagger That no one would ever use or design in reality! The absurd thickness and weight!

[@hikkespett]

'Adam has a playdate at Wētā Workshop!'

[@Callsignsoggybisket]

Adam is the kid and wētā Workshop is the candy store

[@Jeankcr]

You got to love how humble Addam is, the attention he gives you even when you're trying to teach him something probably he already knows it's the same as if he's learning it for the very first time. I love this man.

[@rhysioeren3203]

adam is out of any league right now. he built something big after mythbusters and he is looking at some of the best workshops in the industry. at some moment during mythbusters it was mentioned that this is where he really excels: props, cosplay, costumes. glad to see doing all this work, just finished watching the video for obi-wan kenobi, amazing work there.

[@johnrblanks]

I agree, but he's also professional enough to know that its not so much being explained to him, as it is to us, the audience.

[@No1sonuk]

There's always the subtle difference that can be a revelation.

[@MissCaraMint]

@@johnrblanks True. But also I’m sure as an expert it is interesting to see how each workshop has their own way of doing things. I’m sure he could ask lots of more technical questions about why they do things a certain way, but knows that might be a bit above our heads. I bet he does ask some of that off camera.

[@RMAJGaming]

right, other guy was telling him shit and i was like "uhh im pretty sure Addam knows how to do this"

[@amyanderson4522]

Love that Adam has his personal pencil carrier assistant with him

[@matt-lang]

Love seeing Richard immediately mime stabbing Adam with the dagger as soon as he gets back.

[@_TheDudeAbides_]

Good thing Adam is such a nice guy so it didn't get awkward when the dude explained stuff like how to make straight lines to Adam.

[@sealdoggydog]

This Adam Savage guy has a real knack for prop building. He'd probably go far in the industry.

[@wertsuno]

well he has come far

[@insidedub4931]

@@wertsuno Duhh

[@mattrichardson4351]

Look how much fun they are having.. this is awesome

[@NjK601]

I've seen The LOTR Extended Edition appendices, nearly as many times as the films.. Getting so much nostalgia, seeing and hearing Richard and Adam in the same room

[@vonoostenstein]

Same. I used to turn on the appendices to fall asleep to for a few years. The passion Richard and the folks at Weta have for their work just shines through every time they talk about it.

[@MissCaraMint]

Honestly that behind the scenes is just a masterpiece.

[@smaakjeks]

It's like a warm blanket

[@smorgasbord26]

Seeing Richard Taylor always brings back cozy memories of watching the LotR special bonus features

[@twin11797]

I like how Richard's first instinct upon coming back to see the sword is to pick it up and stab Adam

[@LunarEclipsism1]

"Woohoo! *Hwoirchh!* " the absolute best

[@john-henrywilson9145]

25:10

[@smaakjeks]

@@LunarEclipsism1 That is a well spelled mock stabbing right there.

[@LunarEclipsism1]

@@smaakjeks hahaha, thank you!

[@smaakjeks]

@@LunarEclipsism1 You get bonus points if you can spell the following: _sword swiping through a re-animated skeletal combatant_

[@KidFury27]

Telling Adam to use his finger as the guide... The look on his face was just pure joy... Like "Dude, do know how many times I've been caught on camera giving the same advice?" Respect the talent son!

[@livenletdie0]

I could watch Adam at Weta videos everyday. He should just go there every year.

[@DAS-Machina]

Like working with graphite powder, try mixing it with shellac and stippling it on for a rough metallic texture. once it is dry sand it and you get a great rough cast iron look.

[@AlasdairGR]

I've seen people do something similar to do a gunmetal finish on Mando helmets.

[@hurbentube]

Use powdered steel and you can make it rust too.

[@negotiableaffections]

Soooooo, a one-day build IS A THING!

[@timchamberlain5858]

Thank you for including the "Shop Shower" bit, it delighted me.

[@majomaheriose]

Never fails to please me that whenever Adam finds a tool he hasn't tested yet, and he gets to use, he has the biggest grin. Man is out there having xmas everytime he finds a new tool. Is wonderful.

[@YarblekRW]

In the mid 90s a friend and I started a business making tokens for Magic the Gathering (Citadel Magic Tokens). They were printed on Sentra by a local company that specialized in store fixtures. The problem we ran into (that eventually killed the project) was that the hard outer shell would not cut cleanly when they die cut them so we ended up having to sand all four edges on a couple hundred thousand tokens. Years later we found out that all they needed to do was heat the die. Sigh! It really is a beautiful material though!

[@ubermonkee]

Adam - 'I'ld make 2, then try to make 3 the next day, then 4....' Joe - *whispers * 'shut uppppp duuuude!'

[@josephharlow4722]

Hahaha 😅

[@irondirigible4216]

I was thinking the same thing lol

[@ubermonkee]

@@josephharlow4722 oh my dude, I hope I didn't offend you, but you have literally made my lifetime! I didn't think for a second you'ld read that, hope it made you laugh though :)

[@josephharlow4722]

@@ubermonkee no offence taken! It’s my favourite comment!

[@Skrap007]

PVC trim boards at most home centers / lumberyards, used some in 2010-ish to make two 40K Titans from paper model patterns. Then years later got a FDM 3D printer and designed my own & printed off the same but with working pistons made from pvc pipe and Plastruct. PVC boards cut like butter with most woodworking tools.

[@Raienya]

Such a delightful video. It's so great to see Adam in his element and so happy. I totally understand why he has a healthy respect for routers. My ex's dad didn't have that respect, and had his right index finger torn off down to the first knuckle.

[@PelleKuipers]

@@_CJ I find routers scary but table saws are it for me. So powerful, with a blade hard to see and close to your fingers. With routers you at least have the bit on the other side (also a reason why I never use router tables).

[@thetimesink196]

@@_CJ That's because they're below the equator!😁

[@HickLif3]

@@PelleKuipers I almost lost a thumb to a table saw last year and i still fear a router more. a router can jump and jive and catch the workpiece and come at you randomly. A table saw the blade is in one place at all times

[@PelleKuipers]

@@HickLif3 funny how everyone has that one tool. Somehow I've done so much work with routers that I'm pretty comfortable with them. And as long as you take small passes and respect the grain direction jumping will not happen. And with end grain I just sand rather than route. Even with passes taking of a hair of the wood and it would still jump and destroy the work piece.

[@HickLif3]

@@PelleKuipers Right? I almost cut off my thumb, RIPPED apart a finger tip with a nail gun and still get a little anxious wth a router and i've never even drawn blood with one lol

[@DrakeAurum]

Very impressive. The style for that dagger feels "klingon elf", which should definitely be a thing.

[@MattTee1975]

Klelf

[@anonymousaccordionist3326]

Isn't that basically the Urukhai?

[@Outland9000]

So that would be Elf but with added spikes for pain and suffering?

[@PreparedDeath]

I love Adam’s knowledge of how things work, like instantly thinking how the router bit works having never seen one. That’s a true engineering brain.

[@aaronpreston47]

I love how resourceful prop makers are, taking different materials that are far away from their everyday use and utilizing them in their own way.

[@brentflynn4881]

I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Weta Workshop Unleashed in November. It was incredible. The sheer creativity of all 3 areas (horror, fantasy, sci-fi) was amazing, and everything was so interactive. It made you wish the fake movies the displays are based on were real!

[@JamesFaction]

hello from a huge mythbusters fan and tested watcher in Aotearoa New Zealand. This video was a treat, thank you!

[@CF_Sapper]

I got the chance to hold the dagger that Adam made in this Video, made my inner kid very very happy!.

[@jacobbalensiefer3846]

I love that practical effects do still have a place in the world and the craftspeople are just getting better. Being able to knock out a cools sword prop in a day or less is so impressive.

[@brolohalflemming7042]

I think it's fascinating the work that goes into cinematic world building. So an elf walks into a shop and says they need a phased plasma dagger in the 40W range, and in the background is an array of stock that prop makers have had to create. And it might only be on screen for a few seconds, but sells the fantasy. I guess the background could be greenscreen and CGI'd in, but often that has the uncanny valley effect to me.

[@moz5885]

I did the Weta Unleashed tour a few days ago. The guide and I got talking about Adam so she grabbed this dagger off the wall for me to hold, the pitting on the blade looks so good up close

[@area1084]

Can't get betta than Weta! Great fun!

[@RedHair651]

The boss pretend-stabbing Adam Savage with the dagger the second he saw it was such a fun touch

[@RUSHv4]

I got to visit the Weta Experience in November 2022. It was a lot of fun and the vibe there is super awesome. Highly Recommend!

[@ybab-j]

fantastic generosity! information sharing is how we advance our collective craft as a species

[@disruptive_innovator]

Weta is incredible. Thanks for taking us back once again.

[@leamog]

Love seeing Adam out of his comfort zone - taking the lead from someone else - no shade, this is why we all love the man

[@RickHunterCL]

I just saw the Adam replica at the Unleashed Exhibition... It's mind-blowing.

[@ezraclark7904]

Truly a savage blade

[@wrongtown]

I acknowledge the pun.

[@corrinastanley125]

Great vid, these collaborations help everyone in the maker's industry learn about new tools and techniques.

[@BeExcellent21Another]

This is the perfect collab! Can't wait to get to NZ to see the amazing display from Weta Workshop!

[@AlbinoRhinoEventCenter]

It’s hilarious that this guy tried to teach Adam the straight line trick he’s used a million times😂

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

Well I didn't know it so I'm glad it went down like that.

[@maromania7]

Of course he did, because the people on the other side of the camera haven't. And even beside that, it's always best to make sure you're on the same page, because the trick they use might be different from yours. Cool tricks are always fun to teach people, worst case you geek out about how useful that the technique is.

[@mromutt]

@@maromania7 It also just seems to be a thing in trades. I think more often than not though its a nice way of hinting at "this is how we do it for our workflow" as a way to make sure work is compatible and things dont need to be redone or complications laters haha. Will see it in construction, electrical, plumbing and so on. And in the off chance someone didnt already know the thing then they learned a new thing!

[@TroyWuelfing]

Those weta folks should check out raised panel router bits. Also they could have custom tools made pretty easily. We used to do this to make custom trim profiles for hard wood trim.

[@chefjeff1366]

damn, Wētā seems like a great place to work

[@acbenepe]

Re: the router/edger. I had an fx/Prop studio in Brooklyn back in the day. I was using the edger on something and received such a blow to the back of my head I thought a mold must have fallen from a high shelf behind me. As the stars cleared I realized that the edger had climbed up my ponytail. It was still growling. there was enough hair around the shaft to bind the motor or I would have been scalped. I had a flashback to my shop teacher back in the 70s saying "Now you fellas with the long hair, yadda, yadda".

[@Merennulli]

That has to be the most fun one-off task. Filling a wall with things you get to let your imagination run away with in rapid succession.

[@MysticJhn]

As a sword lover, that looked like a fun day. I ain't exactly a maker, can barely operate a hammer if I had to, but I'd still love to play with that material to see what kind of fantasy sword I could produce.

[@davydatwood3158]

In the late 80's I had a bunch of toy swords sized for my He-Man figures but made by some random company - the sort of thing that would end up in a dollar store these days - and I still have a few. The designs were *very* similar to what was on the table here, with lots of hollowed-out diamonds and ovals on the blades. So funky to see those shapes as a full size prop!

[@scttydsntknw]

I am getting flashbacks to my Navy days when the needlegun started going....

[@markdavich5829]

I find it a bit amusing that there's almost always either a band-aid or a black and blue finger nail or both, on Adams hands - I think I remember Jamie musing about liking to see Adam in pain in remarks about Adam being accident prone.

[@Aceinpolar]

I'm super jealous about the Weta unleashed, i really wish they had one in the states.

[@nirodha7028]

This was cool! Very talented craftsman who showed you the ropes there Adam :-)

[@Drewcifer321]

I love all of the content at Weta. Amazing creations

[@RodGwinn]

So cool to be able to work with other professionals on your passion projects

[@krillen64]

I love videos like this you make. They are such fun to watch and very entertaining too.

[@ZhatFatScav]

Man, I wished I could visit the Weta Workshop someday. I love their stuff, especially the Dr Grordbort stuff. would love to own a custom of them from that series

[@iteerrex8166]

Cool techniques to make wooden blades for my nephew 👍

[@kingfish4575]

Its so amazing to watch adam talk shop

[@Cragun.]

Heading to New Zealand in a few months, I'll definitely be setting up a tour of the Weta Workshop!

[@eronGreco]

awesome ep

[@stormypinkness4030]

Seems like a good group of people.

[@davidpowers746]

Honestly there will always be something funny about the way a Kiwi who's clearly from the same part of Space New Zealand as Korg says the word "thickness."

[@velkonemriam1935]

The more of these Weta Workshop specials I see, no matter the creator involved, encourages me more and more that I’m not crazy for watching the LOTR Appendecies far more than the movies 😂

[@VeniVidiVid]

Such great fun! 🙂

[@FlexDRG]

Sounds like a nice 1day build for Adam to make a shallow/large radius HSS router bit.

[@branaginslaw]

Fantastic content.

[@hanelyp1]

Looks like a good technique for props to make sure actors don't hurt themselves too badly.

[@n3rdm4n36]

This is so cool

[@P1cwh0r3]

WW Unleashed is an awesome exhibit...

[@marisabrown9410]

It’s awesome seeing something like this, mostly because I live up in auckland

[@nwlondonman]

He sounds just like Murray. "Brett, present? Jemaine, present?"

[@CoreyJohnson193]

Imagine being so cool and talented Weta just let's you touch their stuff. "C'mon over and handle our expensive, dangerous tools to make some art!"

[@danburz]

I am fascinated watching everything you do! you may never see this, but,, If this "hand crafting things" like what yourself and WETA make, If I wanted to do this as a career, where would i begin??

[@someone890]

Boss immediately goes for a gut stab LOL

[@CarloRufinoSabusap]

I saw Adam's fingernail and I felt that in my soul

[@tomhorsley6566]

By golly! Every tool is a hammer!

[@nathkrupa3463]

Nice Video Sir thanks for sharing adam sir.

[@ViperChief117]

Pretty sick looking prop dagger you got there Adam? Always thought it would be cool to visit Weta Workshop one day and view their incredible creations. Lol

[@GR_R2]

I love that blade. Looks like it should come apart in the middle to make two separate blades

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thanks.

[@Mikyll1969]

love the learning and new techniques stuff... they are SO talented on what they do, though I DO agree that the router angle for the blade profile is too steep and harsh...

[@zergmare7]

Reminds me of the great fairy deity sword from Majora's mask

[@zeikjt]

My first thought too.

[@edburdo]

Dude... I'd pay to go to a workshop and make display prop weapons like that. hey Wētā! What say you!

[@ryandowney8743]

What is that small green handheld belt sander thing you were using? It looks practically like a mini-chainsaw but a belt sander. That is cool! I would love to get one for my Dad.

[@TheMaster375]

I thought I heard the guy call it a "finger sander" - a quick Google search later, and I have a new tool to add to my wishlist!

[@ryandowney8743]

@@TheMaster375 Thanks!

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

Yeearrgh that was really fun. Please do more fast builds like this! I really wish I had a space to create a lot of dust in!! Graphite powder, very cool! I don't understand why he finds the router scarier than any of those other tools that put your fingers really close to a moving blade.

[@wrongtown]

For starters, ideally you DON'T put your fingers close to a moving blade... Having spent a fair amount of time (for a hobbyist) with routers/router tables, I can confirm that they are hungry, grabby little bastards compared to table saws, bandsaws etc.

[@maromania7]

He's likely injured himself with one at some point, people tend to be more cautious around equipment that has hurt them even if it's relatively safer, the brain often weighing memory more heavily than reason. Like how I'm often just as nervous around sewing machines as I am table saws, despite one being far more dangerous.

[@HickLif3]

I love that he used a mask for the bandsaw but not the sander lol

[@MonkeyChessify]

Adams dagger design was really cool but all I kept seeing was a stylized egyptian Ankh lol

[@eclectricmagazine]

Richard Taylor is just the best human alive

[@robinst-pierre9600]

Adam, you should try Bicolline next summer.

[@empirecook]

I swear Adam has one of the coolest jobs in the world.

[@donaldburkhard7932]

Like a candle flame with serrated candle on weathered copper candle stick!

[@RjWolf3000]

I just keep having flight of the concords memories when i hear that accent.

[@alexo9jm]

Your weapon reminds me of my bubble sword I had as a child because of the open shape in the middle. It is nearly identicle. You would draw the sword from the scabbard which had the solution inside and then you would blow into the middle of the sword and a big bubble would fly out.

[@notapplicable4637]

It's called Foamex here in the UK, this is what Joe said at the beginning of the video. Possibly Adam mis-heard because it says it's called signex in the UK later in the video?

[@MikeyFFA500]

There are many companies that build custom router bits.

[@Rebar77_real]

Adam needs a conveyor belted 3D Printer, like we all do. Interesting material.

[@coreyennis9411]

Routers are just one of those tools that become less scary with more use.

[@wrongtown]

Which is when complacency can set in, making them significantly more dangerous to you personally.

[@coreyennis9411]

@@wrongtown I'd say there is a point between getting used to it and complacency. I respect all of my tools that can cut my bits off, which is most of them. I do have scars and all of my fingers.

[@notarealperson87]

im pretty sure that Adam's dagger was on the dentist's tray in Little Shop of Horrors

[@grendalnewgod]

I think routers are frickin' awesome.

[@biskienator]

16:45 "this is Earth Radio. and now here's human music"

[@Outland9000]

Think I'm going to look for a source of that PVC stuff for 40K scenery.

[@starhawke380]

Weta is in New Zealand? So much for my hopes of ever visiting...