SMC M#01 - Casper - Legendary Weapon - Sickle of Doom

[Casper]

Hey Guys!
I'm new here on the forums, I had been browsing the main site for quite a while now though. I really loved the idea of these competitions and an idea for a sickle came to my mind immediately.
I especially like the idea of a sickle because it is not too often looked at as an epic, legendary weapon so it'll be quite a challenge to turn it into one.

Here's what I have so far:
Modeling: 45 minutes
Rendering materials and postwork: less than 30 mins

As you can see I still have a lot of time to improve the model. So constructive criticism is more than welcome, guys

I've also included two concept images, one hand drawn and the other computer drawn so you can see what it started off from. I'll also post up some wires later on.

What do you guys think about the jagged, spiky blade idea seen on the first concept?

[Casper]

I'd really appreciate some input! Come on, post up your ideas and comments already! :P

[zipel]

It would be way better with the jagged side, but i think it needs more details. Try maybe putting a spider web between the blade and the handle, but ticker and made from steel or something. No, i don't know how that would be deadly but i think it would look cool. If it's a sickle of DOOM, i'd change color to blood red or black

[JAPO]

Hello
Interesting topic you chose. Sickle indeed is not usual weapon of choice. Although... funny coincidence that actor whose first name is the same as that of your profile uses sickles to fight Headless Horseman in Tim Burtons Sleepy Hollow film

Anyways, as far as I know Sickle of Doom is something you totally made up (which is totally ok too), so there is little comment on the creative side on my part. Of course since it is totally made up, I would make it totally different. For me the weapon is currently... tasteless. I would expect doom written all over it (its a figure of speech, close that photoshop!).
The jagged edge will help it a bit, but not much in my books. It will still be cruel weapon to be treated with, but that will be as much as it will do.

Now if I were to make a sickle of doom, I would first think what dooms could a sickle bring. Hmmm. Not much. It cant start nuclear war, thats for sure. It cant take down a spaceship (well unless you get very busy with the sickle on board and crew has no weapons of their own. And are not running away as you approach them bloodied from head to toe.)

So it can be either designed to take down certain monster, or used to cut through the fabric of the universe to open portals to different worlds (game Loom springs to mind. Although that guy had a scythe). Both types will require different concepts. Now I personally would go for sickle for specific monster. And why not use the title name. Lets make sickle based on the Doom 3 game.

Sickle of Doom, capable of killing monsters by creating temporary rift to hell on their own bodies if you cut them big enough wound. Such monster will be drawn to hell through its own wound, as hungry demons tear their flesh inside out through the portal. Such sickle can be device of slightly rusted yet sickly thin metal, with jagged saw-like edge. Its fragile looks could be decieving. What would not be decieving would be living parts of the sickle, parts of pulsing tissue on the blade and the grip, as the rift opening capacity manifests itself on the weapon. the sickle itself would be alive, feeding on souls of victims. The more souls it gorged, the more living tissue will cover the weapon. Only when fed enough it can be used to open the rift. However, it may be fed more and more to become even more powerful... with capacity to open rift on its own.There is a risk that the blade will become too powerful, and takes over the person using it. When that happens, it will turn the realities inside out bringing hell to Earth. Thats because the blade has its own will. And it does not like being here.

Now that would be sickle I would do. It would be mix of doom game and hellraiser. Hope it helps a bit. If not, totally discard it

[czacen]

Japo that's fantastic feedback. I like your take on the whole DOOM as in Doom game universe.

If I were to add my 2 cents. I was looking through my image piles for something to inspire you. The one that stood out the most was the one below. There are several elements of this you could use to enhance your own. First being the blade shape. Rather than flat perhaps more shape and jaggies like your drawing might look better. Also the handle and blade must have a common theme (perhaps the lighting can be a common style?). And to draw the Doom concept it needs a material/colour to emphasize that this is a special sickle. Hope this helps.