The Ultimate! God Hand Nippers

GodHand Ultimate Nipper 5.0 – This is arguably THE nerdiest name for a tool I’ve ever come across, especially with the “5.0” at the end. I like how it even advertise its sharpness level at 5. Apparently this is a hand-sharpened nipper made in small batches hence limited supply and every store that sells it only allows 1 per customer. I just happened to run across it while in Japan last November and saw the godly price tag of I think about 3000 yen and the packaging just made me laugh so I had to try it out. Hell why not. Stuff like this usually have its merits.

At the same time, I also picked up another Tamiya side cutter. My usual go-to brand of cutters. Turns out I have like 5 of these now.

A cover for your God Hand Ultimate Nippers 5.0.

Comparison of the two. The GodHand is the shortest as well as the thinnest of all the nippers. It is also the lightest too.

Here it is side by side by side with the other Tamiya cutters.  I don’t think I understand what is the difference between the two Tamiya cutters though- they are both called Sharp-pointed side cutter.

Yea sure, the left one might have a slightly longer tip but both work about the same. If anyone knows the specific purpose for the difference, please kindly educate me ^^;.

Back to the GodHand… the edges are different from each other. Upon a little research, it seems that this nipper is revered for its godliness of cutting nubs clean off the gates, flush cut, saving time, and impressing girls. Time will if the nipper will live up to the last one.

I’ve actually used this nipper with the HG Panda’gguy and the HG Destiny so far. This thing SLICES the plastic. Not pinch. Not crush. Slice. Shear. You wouldn’t realize the difference until you try, feel, and see it in person. The best indicator is the relative lack of stress marks left behind almost as if I’ve already used a knife to shave off the nub. However, I still feel better going over the spot with my actual knife just out of habit and to make the nub is clean. At the very least, I know there won’t be any “craters” if I cut off the nub with this cutter flush against the part. So I am not saving all that much time but at least I can do a cleaner job.

Sorry for not having as pictures of cut plastic – My camera couldn’t get close enough to make out the results clearly.

Now is it worth it? I’d say it is worth it to have in your arsenal for sensitive parts like V-fins, and outer surface parts where you don’t want to risk nub marks on. It is also good for darker color parts where the stress mark comes out white and this doesn’t leave much or any. I wouldn’t replace all my nippers with this though since I am not sure about its durability or longevity. As far as Gunpla goes, I am only using this nipper on surface armor parts and Tamiya side cutters for everything else.

I’ll update on this cutter later after some more extensive usage.

Re-Review: MG Wing Gundam Ver. Ka

Sorry for the recent lack of updates. My computer crapped out on me but I’ve finally fixed it. The ice from the snow storm hasn’t thawed yet and the temp is still below freezing outside so I am unable to finish any models. However! I did have the time to reshoot and did a revival review (re-review) of an old kit that I’ve built some 8 years or so ago. It’s about time that I gave it a proper updated photoshoot.

Check it out – MG Wing Gundam Ver. Ka

I want to do more of these re-reviews in the future, alternating between them and new models. This way I can eventually update all the older Gundam model galleries with better photos in line with my current format and thus, have better reviews of them.

Revival: MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom

Since it is frozen outside, I won’t be able to complete my HG Destiny Gundam. So instead of sitting around, I’ll just hop on over to my next project. I know I have a HG Kshatriya review pending as well but that model also have to wait for better weather so I can topcoat it. This project, however, can be started on for the time being.

I’ve been meaning to do this for years now. Starting with the MG Wing Zero Customer, this will the first of a few “Revival” projects that I will be taking on between new regular projects. As the title implies, I will go back to some of my older models that I didn’t do all that great (read: terrible) of a job on and breathe some fresh life into them for a re-review (revival review). Just look at miserable this model is! glaring nub marks, no panel lining, feathers in the wrong spot, foil stickers…. oh yea, I should definitely fix it up.

So I have taken the model apart, give it a good wipe down to remove years of dust, and now in the process of cleaning up all the nub marks with my modeler’s knife. It won’t be perfect as if I freshly built it but hopefully, it will still be a huge improvement. After all that is all finished, I’ll finally apply the marking stickers (decals long gone). I didn’t use these markings back then because I was still a newbie and too scared to apply them ^^;.

Those nubs though… Anyway, I’m sure I’ll break some pieces in the process but the end result hopefully won’t be worse than before. I am also removing all the green foil stickers and painting those areas instead. Basically, bringing the model up to date with how I currently do things.

Back in the old days, some Gundam models only have inner frames for the legs and polycaps for most of the joints.

The hardest part but probably the one that makes the biggest difference are the wings. This part is one tricky business since panel lining can ruin the “angelic” aesthetic effect of the wings so I have to be careful how I ink the lines. I sort of have an idea, a panel line style and technique of sorts, that I think would work well highlighting the wings’ details. Still working on it now so will have to see if it turns out well at the end.

Although I am working on this now, I’ll probably do the review after HG Destiny and Kshatriya.

WISP 02: HG Destiny Gundam

The straight build is 100% complete, weapons included. However, after looking at the finished product, I am pondering if I should take the few extra steps to do some paint detailing on it.

Like the thrusters on the legs. I can’t believe it came in white! So wondering if it is worth the trouble to hit it with some gray.

And here we have some very monotone weapons. Some color correction would really help it out here a bit. I am usually apprehensive about painting for color correction than little details because of the time and patience it takes. I don’t have the skills ^^;

Despite the huge amount of foil stickers (common for its time), the design is decent and the proportions are sharp. More anime-accurate than the stylized MG and RG models if that is your preference.

Well, if I am going to do some painting and topcoating then it will have to wait. Portland is currently experiencing a late/super early white Christmas with record snowfall so I can’t work outside.

Maybe I’ll build or do something else for the meantime…

WISP 01: HG Destiny Gundam

Almost done with the 2005 HG Destiny Gundam. Should be able to get a review done before the end of the week. I was thinking of topcoating this model too but with all that foil sticker, I think I’ll just skip that step.

Just got the weapons to go!

HG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. GFT Review

As I’ve promised, here is my first proper Gunpla review – The HG 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.GFT. Check it out!

Man… it sure feels good (and a bit nostalgic) to be doing all this again. At first, I got a bit worried as my mind went blank figuring out how or where to start setting up poses. I’m like, “alright. It can’t be THATTT bad” but after awhile, I’ve finally felt like I was able to get back into it ^^;.

Still, my lighting equipment could use some upgrade. The shadows are cool but could be more well lit. Oh well. I’ll figure that out later.

Until next time!

Last Kshatriya WISP

Yay… finally got around to the last part of the model (haven’t assembled it yet; still cleaning the pieces). Sadly, it is also the most repetitive. Made even more annoying in that most of the parts are round. Terribly draining to clean the nubs off.  Oh well… at least I can say I am almost finally done with this beast…

The rest of the parts. Arghhh… Those nubs on curves and grooves! With this done, I just gotta finish the sleeves then topcoat. I hope to finish this and roll out its review the same week as the Stark Jegan’s… whenever that may be ^^;. Until then… continue to work on more Gunpla. Like my first MG Gundam in awhile.

WISP: HG 1/144 Kshatriya Main Unit

I am really taking my sweet time with this kit so progress is really slow but that is always better than rushing; I don’t want to make any silly mistakes or burn myself out already (damn, I need to increase my Gunpla stamina…). If you need more proof that the HG Kshatriya is actually an MG in disguise, then the arms and legs should be convincing.