How can I tell if its an original?

I am currently in the process of finishing off my lose figure collection, but need some advice regarding Bengalis Hammer and Pumyras Sling, two accessories I require.

Having looked on ebay, the only place I've seen that it seems to sell thundercat figures now its been flooded with replicas, how can I tell if I am getting the real deal????

Also I still require a complete Stinger which seems impossible to get hold of lose, how bad would it be to buy a boxed one and open it up?

It depends on how much you want Stinger. I ended up buying a MISB Mumm-Ra's Tomb Fortress and couldn't bring myself to open it. I ended up selling it though for quite a nice profit. :D

I am not to sure on how you can tell the difference between Bengali's hammer and a reproduction. I guess the only way you could tell would be if you had a real one or a very good photo of one to compare it against. I seen a Repro once on EBay beside the original and I couldn't really see much difference aside from the colour being very, very slightly lighter.

"Mark M, post: 94169" said:

I am not to sure on how you can tell the difference between Bengali's hammer and a reproduction. I guess the only way you could tell would be if you had a real one or a very good photo of one to compare it against. I seen a Repro once on EBay beside the original and I couldn't really see much difference aside from the colour being very, very slightly lighter.

Ya it might be kinda hard to tell the difference on Ebay. I would ask for more detailed/close up pictures. Many repo's are a little rough and less detailed. Looks for small bubbles/pockets and jagged spots. Often times it also seems as though the repo's are more matte as opposed to the more glossy original. Another sign is if you can see that the color does not seem consistent throughout the hammer. I think one of the major things is that many of the repo's are made of cheaper plastic which is harder/stiffer. The original's have a bit of a flex to the handle whereas the repo has no give to it (this would be pretty difficult to tell from pictures though).

I agree with what both Mark M and adssse said. Most repros can be easily spotted by their not so great finish (rough surface, rough edges etc.) but some repros are so cleverly done that the only way to identify them is either a lot of very high-res close-up pics or actually holding the item.

Generally sellers on EBay usually mention when their item is a repro. However there are a few "crafty" ones that you have to be on the lookout for!:)

These video reviews touch on this. It can be hard to tell without high quality pictures, so the best piece of advice seems to be to ask the seller all manner of questions.

Bengali: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-cJSgqd10E#t=17m17s"" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Video Review — The biggest giveaway seems to be the flex test, which I suppose you could ask the seller to perform.

Pumyra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkWDefgm8ac#t=3m44s"" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Video Review — There's less helpful info here. From what I've seen, the biggest giveaways are in the color and texture of the cord. It should be a medium-dark brown (not black or tan), basically the same color as her dress, and it should be just the tiniest bit shiny. I'm pretty sure it's nylon, or some other synthetic material. It shouldn't be fuzzy like a natural fiber or waxed like a shoelace. It's okay if it's frayed at the ends—mine is—and the shape and placement of the knot also don't mean anything. Plenty of people, myself included, have tied and retied it.

Good luck, and post links or pictures if you want corroboration! :)

Clearly an original

I've seen a clearly original hammer and Bengali however the hammer is suffering from the well known spotting.

I haven't seen anything about how to clean them, any recommendations? Or ideas on how to to clean them?

"bentert, post: 94269" said:

I've seen a clearly original hammer and Bengali however the hammer is suffering from the well known spotting.

I haven't seen anything about how to clean them, any recommendations? Or ideas on how to to clean them?

As far as I know there is no way to clean/remove the spotting. It is my understanding that it is a "breaking down" of the plastic and is somewhat prevalent in the materials used in the later figures.