Where, What and Whom To Avoid When Buying

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

2 hours ago, TK-413 said:

Just wondering, Why is this group so down on the Stormtrooper Store / Jedi Robe and why are they to be avoided. there kit seems pretty good it reminds me of Fx armor, Yes you might have to modify it a bit but it's a simpler for lay people and the seams are larger than most, i think it's better than the denuo novo kit. I have that kit and is has lots of warps in the parts and can be confusing to put together for the lay People, also the S.S. has a one piece lower back less snaps and parts to mess with. Shouldn't people make their own decision, I have also ordered some other kits just to see really what the differences are, I just think you shouldn't be telling people to avoid them I'm pretty happy with their armor, they were timely, responsive 

Firstly FX is no longer approvable, we have come a long way with costumes over the last 15 years as far as screen accuracy, Jedi Robe is very inaccurate compared to other makers on our vetted sellers list, Jedi Robe is also a known recaster.

 

Yes people can make up their own minds, if you are happy with what you purchased great, we just supply information for people to read and decide, we do not promote. 

 

[Sly11[Admin]]

I don’t think it’s a case of anyone being down on those kits as much as the fact, times change and more accurate and better quality kits have become available.

History shows, when that kind of thing occurs, older products simply become grandfathered, and general improvements become the norm.

Legion and Detachments move with the times, costume accuracy improvement is part of that so requirement standards become higher.

There are other clubs that follow simpler guidelines, the 501st is renowned for being the premier costuming club, so staying at the forfront, standards and basic requirements have increased across many costumes over the years.

[TheRascalKing[TK]]

There is a ton of nuance to stormtrooper armor, and when you have seen firsthand and built enough of it, you definitely identify makers you like and ones you don't, based on whatever criteria you set - lineage, accuracy, quality, thickness or color of the material, the material itself, the fit for your size/frame, customer service of the maker, price and shipping.... the list goes on and on and some prioritize some characteristics over others.

 

That said, the Jedi Robe/Stormtrooper Store armor falls short of other offerings in almost every category measured, other than price, from my direct experience. The pulls are inconsistent, inaccurate, and thin. The armor is recast and the makers are not involved in and give nothing back to this community. Of the 1,133 individuals who have received Expert Infantry Approval (L2) for the accuracy of their armor, I don't believe a single one utilized Jedi Robe/Stormtrooper Store armor that I could find record of (and I maintain a spreadsheet of this data). The data below doesn't lie, and most troopers would be well advised to pick from any of the other makers currently available.

 

Ironic that you mention them, but the Denuo Novo (formerly Anovos, same molds) armor is generally held to be one of the best on the market currently and the majority of us that are selected to work regularly with LFL for their appearance requests wear it (/Anovos). ANH Stormtrooper armor should be "warped" in certain spots, as the originals were hand sculpted, though the Anovos/DN has been "cleaned up" digitally and the surface imperfections aren't present as on say, an RS kit, which I describe as "accurate to a fault". The single piece lower back (kidney/posterior) and overlap construction may be easier to build but are also inaccurate to ANH and pretty significant errors, not benefits (unless you're building ROTJ). 

 

People are welcome to make their own decisions, and your experience may vary, but those who have knowledge and experience in this hobby, purchase from other vendors and try to guide others to quality makers, like (most of) the ones below.

 

 

*Chart updated to just show ANH Stunt and data for the last 10 years, which seems more relevant

Edited December 16, 2024 by TheRascalKing

[dblcross[TK]]

AM 2.0 FTW

[Nalowaiian]

Aloha troopers. I’m just getting started. I’ve been encouraged by a good friend of mine to join the 501st. I’ve made a lot of foam costumes for myself and kids and I know that’s not the way to go so I’m in the process of purchasing a kit from a trusted seller that is not recasting. In my searches, I came across a seller that is not on the “Avoid” or “Trusted” vendors list. I was wondering if any of you folks know whether the kits from authenticstormtrooper.com are reliable or anything about them? It says on their website that their armor is made “using the original molds and with modern processes.” I thought that only RS Props did that.  I also tried to see if Denuo Novo is a way to go but couldn’t find them on a list. Anyways, I want to be as authentic as possible and able to pass the approval of the 501st so any input would be great. Thanks in advance! 

[themaninthesuitcase[Admin]]

25 minutes ago, Nalowaiian said:

Aloha troopers. I’m just getting started. I’ve been encouraged by a good friend of mine to join the 501st. I’ve made a lot of foam costumes for myself and kids and I know that’s not the way to go so I’m in the process of purchasing a kit from a trusted seller that is not recasting. In my searches, I came across a seller that is not on the “Avoid” or “Trusted” vendors list. I was wondering if any of you folks know whether the kits from authenticstormtrooper.com are reliable or anything about them? It says on their website that their armor is made “using the original molds and with modern processes.” I thought that only RS Props did that.  I also tried to see if Denuo Novo is a way to go but couldn’t find them on a list. Anyways, I want to be as authentic as possible and able to pass the approval of the 501st so any input would be great. Thanks in advance! 

You are correct that is not based on the original moulds. The easiest to spot errors are the bottom curve of the chest plate and the fact it's using a plastic wrap around belt. Neither is accurate at all.

 

RS own a screen used suit and all their kits are based on that.

 

Denuo Novo took over from a previous vendor Anovos, and as far as I am aware this is the same product. So far Denuo Novo have proven reliable and I had a good experience with their customer service team.  Accuracy wise it's pretty good. From what we were told it was scanned from a screen used suit but then cleaned up a little to remove some of the "warts and all". The biggest down side is that some parts a shade on the thin side and replacement parts seem to be patchy on availability and even then you have to buy assemblies.

What ever option you go for I would suggest avoiding the "ready to wear" options. A big part of a storm trooper is how well it fits you and most of that is done during the build, and adjustments are a lot harder with the glues they will use.

[Nalowaiian]

@themaninthesuitcase 

Thanks so much for the response and great info!! I will definitely stick to the kit because I wasnʻt sure how well it would be customized to me since Iʻm 6’2” and whether a “ready to wear” would fit properly. Plus, the building part seems like the fun part. So glad my trooper friend sent me here! What a great resource and wealth of information.

 

[T-Jay[TK]]

3 hours ago, Nalowaiian said:

@themaninthesuitcase 

Thanks so much for the response and great info!! I will definitely stick to the kit because I wasnʻt sure how well it would be customized to me since Iʻm 6’2” and whether a “ready to wear” would fit properly. Plus, the building part seems like the fun part. So glad my trooper friend sent me here! What a great resource and wealth of information.

 

Once you get to the point, feel free to start a build thread with pictures here on FISD. 

Then you will not only get help and advice from other troopers, but might also feel encouraged to push some borders.

Talking about this, you should have a look at the two higher levels (EIB and Centurion) which are much easier to achieve when taken into account from the beginning. 

[Daetrin[Admin]]

2 hours ago, T-Jay said:

Once you get to the point, feel free to start a build thread with pictures here on FISD. 

Then you will not only get help and advice from other troopers, but might also feel encouraged to push some borders.

Talking about this, you should have a look at the two higher levels (EIB and Centurion) which are much easier to achieve when taken into account from the beginning. 

Amen to this.  The original program was to encourage people to take their base suits and spruce them up a bit to get rid of the most glaring inaccuracies. It's far, far simpler to build it right the first time vs. upgrading later. 

[Nalowaiian]

14 hours ago, T-Jay said:

Once you get to the point, feel free to start a build thread with pictures here on FISD. 

Then you will not only get help and advice from other troopers, but might also feel encouraged to push some borders.

Talking about this, you should have a look at the two higher levels (EIB and Centurion) which are much easier to achieve when taken into account from the beginning. 

 Again, Very appreciative! After I get my kit, I will definitely start a build thread hoping to pick the minds of the seasoned pros. So grateful this thread is hear and active and looking forward to sharing my build! 

[JBar[TK]]

@Nalowaiian Walt's Trooper Factory (WTF) is the armor I went with. It's vetted and especially great if you're like 5'9" and under since it fits on the smaller side. Walt is close to local for me in NYC so it was a no brainer to pick it up at his shop. I love how bright white his armor is too and it's a perfect thickness. I'd say his armor is shipped a bit more...casually (piled in a box) and sometimes his orders/messages get backed up but he's always followed through for me

[revlimiter[Staff]]

On 3/2/2025 at 2:27 AM, Nalowaiian said:

@themaninthesuitcase 

Thanks so much for the response and great info!! I will definitely stick to the kit because I wasnʻt sure how well it would be customized to me since Iʻm 6’2” and whether a “ready to wear” would fit properly. Plus, the building part seems like the fun part. So glad my trooper friend sent me here! What a great resource and wealth of information.

 

 

At 6'2" I wouldn't suggest a Walt's kit (WTF - Walt's trooper factory). The chest and ab segment can't easily be lengthened and you'll have issues keeping them together and not having a band of black between. A few taller troopers in my garrison struggle with this. Not to say bad things about Walt's. It's fine armor, just not for the taller troopers.

 

I'm very happy with my AP armor (Authentic Props in Canada). It works well for a taller TK.

 

You might look at Moncal's / Far Away Creations. They have an etsy store and are a vetted armor maker. I think it's currently called MonCal'sPropShop. Quality armor and it fits taller troopers as well. They're in Colorado if I remember right.

[JBar[TK]]

Thanks @revlimiter I missed that he's 6'2". Yeah Walt's will feel small