Do we know for a fact it was the blackened version?

I know all these years we have assumed it was all black...

But after watching Aliens last night (for God know's how many times ) I'm not so sure anymore...

So check it out!

The "Do the thing with the knife" scene starts out with Hudson holding up what obviously looks like an all black Gerber-



Even when Bishop spins it in his hand- it still consistantly appears all black throughout the shot.

Next shot is the close up of Bishop getting ready with the tip of the knife on the table...



It still appears black. Sort of.

However if you really pay attention as Bishop turns the blade preparing to begin...



The blade is beginning to appear less flat black- it is beginning to have a two tone appearance.




Next part of the scene- Drake forces Hudson's to hand into the game-




Now it is beginning to appear to have a reflective surface!



Pay close attention to the metallic object behind the white cup. It appears to be reflecting off the surface of the Gerber!








By the time the game ends and Bishop hands the Gerber back to Hudson...



It actually appears shiny!

So what's going on?

If my theory is correct that the Gerber has a stainless* blade and not blackened- it may be that the camera angle, lighting etc is making it appear black.

For instance I have seen several auctions with pictures of Gerbers that may appear black depending on the angle it is being photographed at, and the way the flash hits the blade...



Here is a picture of what seems like a black Gerber.



With a slightly different angle- it is slightly revealed as being stainless.



And from the same auction- it is clearly stainless.

So I am nearly convinced that Hudson's Gerber was in fact stainless! The camera angle and lighting only made it appear black.

So can anyone confirm it was black? Does anyone own it?

*Forgive my crude terminology; if I'm not quite right about it being "stainless"... you know what I mean.

EDIT- took out the duplicated extra piccy.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Gun oil on the blade giving it a sheen/shine perhaps? It doesn't looks stainless to me at all and there are other much more lusterous metals in the scene that are clearly stainless looking.

Kev.......go outside for a bit......take a walk........please

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Another thing to consider, is how many knives they used to do the scene.
I am fairly certain they did not use a sharpened steel blade against Bill Paxton's hand.
So I would guess at least two blades would have been used.
A hero and a stunt blade.
I know that doesn't help with the debate as to whether or not the knife was black.
But it would possibly help explain the differences in knives.

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Scott
13

A10/TQ2.0.42142E1

Interesting theory!
One way to get additional info on the knife would be to simply ask Lance Hendriksen - as far as I know it was his personal knife he used for that scene....


Cheers,
Stefan

This gerber is re-released now or very soon to be in stock.

You can get them for 85-100 USD.

Black only?

Interesting thought Kevin....

it could be IMO. in that last shot with the stunned hudson holding the knife it does look stainless. i think that one was probably real steel. but in the shots where bishop is actually jabbing at the table i think its a stunt knife with some sort of shiny affect on it. Good spot burton. My two cents. (pence.)

(P.S. I dont think bishop was that good... he didnt hit Hudson once... missed every time )

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Thanks for the support Tony.

I do believe it is an all black Gerber at the beginning of the shot when Hudson holds it up and Bishop grabs it/flips it. There is no reflection of light on it at all.

As Scott mentioned- I'm also sure there were multiple knives used throughout the scene. I'm not so sure that it was a stunt knife though: in the extras dvd Lance describes practicing with real knives learning how to "go really fast". Don't forget Lance's hand is on top of Bill Paxton's hand for the game (essentially protecting it). Since the shot was sped up with a camera effect- he wouldn't have to go so fast that it would become truly dangerous. Maybe the knife wasn't razor sharp- but I do believe it was real steel.

Also according to Lance the scene had to be re-shot because the sped up effect looked too fake the first time.

All this could mean they did not get the same knife used at the beginning of the shot- a continuity error.

During the game itself- I agree that the knife doesn't look like a shiny bright bladed Gerber. However it looks a lot more reflective than it should for a flat black one.

It's that last shot just before Hudson says "That wasn't funny man!" that I'm convinced is a stainless Gerber: it only lasts a split second, but it is obviously not a flat black Gerber reflecting the light from the overhead flourescent bulbs.

And Stefan's right- we should try to ask Lance.

I'm going to go outside now.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

And dont forget you can see the marks on the table the knife tip leaves behind..

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STEVENSON F.
A11/TQ0.0.82148E1

"You are not your Drop Count."

Just because a blade is "dull" doesn't mean it won't mak a table top. I could do that with a butter knife... and then the Mrs. would kill me with it.

Nice detective work Kevin!

Russ

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"A writer needs a pen, a painter a brush, and a filmmaker an army." - Orson Wells.

http://www.rookscastle.com
http://www.alchemyarms.com

Don't tell me this...not after I spent $50+ on my all black gerber.

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

I'd have thought. If an object was hard and pointy enough to mark a laminated table it wouldn't be a very safe *stunt* knife..

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STEVENSON F.
A11/TQ0.0.82148E1

"You are not your Drop Count."

SSgt Burton, I honestly salute your attention to detail and your quest for complete accuracy!

I love it!


Some triva for you; Mad Max carried the same knife that Hudson did.

Let's compare Gerbers at DragonCon. And no, not those 'Gerbers' you sickos.



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