modded Element

ooo pretty

Finished up a customized Element.  Internally it is just the standard AR removal and sealed the leak hole in the tube.  Gave the body a black paint job with brass detailing and a layer of glossy topcoat.

Now its a matter of deciding if I will keep it for myself or if I'll sell it on eBay or something...

Nerf Thor Movie Hammer

“Whoever holds the hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor”

Out shopping the other day I came across the new toys for the upcoming Thor movie.  This happened to stand out- a toy Thor hammer (Mjolnir) from Nerf!  This is made from the same foam construction as the newer N-force line.  I noticed that this was located in the action figure section along with the new Marvel figures, so if you are looking, don't look for this in the Nerf section.

The price at ToysRUs was 10.99; very affordable but will probably be under $10 at something like Walmart.  I was so excited, I didn't bother doing comparison shopping and bought it on the spot.  In fact, it was out of the package and pummeling my fiancee before she was able to run to the car.

Moving on to the review:

Aesthetically, this is a great movie replica.  Too many times toys like this are made, but giant logos or cartoonish images are branded on to part.  The Thor Hammer, however, looks like something right out of the comics or movie.  There is some small print 'warnings' on one edge and some Runic writing along the top (which I will get translated in the near future).

The whole head of the hammer is the Nerf n-force style foam, with the shaft a hard plastic core with a tough outer layer.  The bottom of the shaft has about a half inch of padding, but not enough for a pommel strike.  Unlike the Klaw hatchet, this Nerf weapon is significantly thick.  The head of the hammer may be foam but has enough mass that it can still hit with authority.  Not so much that it is not child safe, but you'll know you've been tagged.

The only downside I can see with this is the handle could be a little longer.  I may be biased in this because 1) I am used to martial arts training with long weapons and/or 2) I am an adult and, let's face it, these are really made for kids.  The nine year old brother in law thought this was the coolest and had to charge everyone in the house...

Overall, I would have to rate this pretty high but admit to much of that being a huge Marvel fanboy.  I have had some time handling the N-force weapons, and plenty of martial arts sparring weapons of all levels and this is pretty decent quality.  The short handle means one would have to be close with a target and if they have a blaster or even one of the other N-force, you will be at a disadvantage.  However, its just COOL :-)

I'm looking forward to some HvZ wars this summer; the Thor Hammer will be partnered with my Barricade (now modded up).

Cool friends are cool

Stopped by the store this afternoon with a fellow nerfer and ended up playing around with some of the n-force line. I am not sure what part is nerdier: two grown men playing with foam swords and maces, or the fact that they had a serious discussion on the types of combat techniques to use with them based on 15th century fighting manuals...

When my friend realized I didnt yet have a barricade, he picked one up for me. Cool friends are cool. Plan on doing the trigger activated flywheel and the 9v battery mods when I get some free time. Here's a pic of how i have it set up for now with a reflex sight and spectre stock. Pretty sweet.

Supposedly, I can create a blog instantly via email

Here's a pic of my Stampede. Its been modified with AR removal. I plan on testing out some voltage changes as well.

Starting Out

I know there is no shortage of Nerf blogging going on out there, but I am bored.  Boredom is a great fuel for inspiration for me.

Let me start of by saying I am more or less new to the whole Nerf thing.  I had some little blaster when I was in elementary school but it is long gone.

At some point about a year ago I was shopping and found a maverick on sale.  I took it home, shot it around my room, had fun.  Somehow I knew though that it was not at its full potential.  I jumped on line and did some research and found the internet's Nerf modding community.  A few websites, youtube videos and some cursing later I had my first modded blaster!  Within a few months, I had nearly every Nerf blaster in production.

Since then I have suckered friends and family into Nerf along with me.  My in-laws have Nerf battles with my brothers in law every weekend now (I gave my father in law a modded Longstrike with some extra mags for christmas).  Many an evening has been spent in a cold war-esque silence at a friend's apartment, everyone sitting around with their own blaster or two waiting for someone to draw.

This summer I hope to have some Nerf Wars events that will include many scenarios including HvZ, Eliminations, Team Elimination, and several other ideas I have (or 'borrowed' from others).

But why Nerf?

I hear this from plenty of people.  "You're an adult" "why don't you play paintball or airsoft"  "you're a nerd".  While certainly the first and third are true, Nerf doesn't have to be just for kids.  I have played paintball and airsoft in the past, and the two main differences are 1) Nerf does not hurt and 2) Nerf is cheap.

I am not whining about other milsim games hurting too much (I mean, c'mon, I am a martial artist who spars regularly with weapons).  But the injury factor takes plenty of people out of the game.  My nine year old brother in law would not go out and play paintball without crying if he was hit.  Nerf makes games inclusive for all ages.  More people means more fun.

The second difference is the expense.  In airsoft, for example, a good full auto assault rifle modded could easily run you a few hundred dollars, more if you want real high end and optics.  My nicest Nerf?  A Stampede ($39 on sale) plus a few bucks for some better parts.  In Nerf, for less than $50 you can get yourself a good primary blaster like a Raider or Alpha Trooper, a sidearm like a Maverick or Nite Finder, and some extra darts and magazines.  Or if you're a friend of mine, you can come on over and borrow one from my giant case of Nerf...

So, to wrap up this pretty random starting post, Nerf is fun, cheap and safe.  I will write more here, possibly some reviews, mod ideas, images, and some plans I have for some Nerf Wars.

Have fun out there!