Review: Mandalorian Beskar keychain

@BulbaNerd4000 said:
"I was really hoping it would be metal, and I'm glad it is, but I wanted to use it for my backpack. Now learning that it'll scuff badly though..."

Looks like a candidate for Clear Plasti Dip :)

It’s nice, but it’s not LEGO-related. Unless there’s a new tile piece with printed imperial symbols to represent the Beskar (I know places like Firestar Toys sells them unofficially), this could have been made by literally any other toy company.

really nice looking item overall, but not exactly loving how much of it is given over to copyright/trademark/manufacture location etc. would have been better that being on something you could remove or being less prominent maybe on a side or packaging.

and to be really honest, my need for a key chain is diminishing over time not increasing so not sure in general about TLGs increasing fixation on key chains - S&H currently lists 42 available.

but I do still like it.

@WesterBricks said:
" @NatureBricks said:
"You couldn't bother to Google what an metal alloy is?"
@Huw said:
"I've no idea what metal alloy it is, but it's certainly not aluminium."
As in, no idea what alloy it is made of."

I wonder what the dimensions are, specific heat, electrical and thermal conductivity? Density at 48 g is easily determined. It's probably the same material as the Han Solo in carbonite, I'll check if I don't forget.

I don't understand why they couldn't acid etch the "Damascus" pattern. Most of the cheap knives with "Damascus" steel I see in cutlery catalogs are done this way, and it does sort of hold up. I have one real Damascus (that is forged from different types of steel) knife that was done as a custom from a maker in Oklahoma who appeared on Forged in Fire, and it wasn't that cheap. These cheap low-end imports (which I usually get one or two of every Christmas and birthday from cheap relatives) are around $15-20. Most customs are north of $100.

My guess if that it's not a cheap stainless steel, it's a zinc alloy/pewter.

This is the way.

LOL…I figured somebody ought to say it.

Wow, I don’t find much manufactured in the PRC that claims a location instead of an amorphous whole. Definitely will remain in the box.

Why if a Mandalorian 'beskar' metal item is it stamped with an Imperial logo?

Why does it say "VIP"?

What does it do?

Why does it exist?

What business does Huw have reviewing this when CapnRex is far more familiar with the nuances of Star Wars set construction & part-usage?

@whw_iv said:
" @BulbaNerd4000 said:
"I was really hoping it would be metal, and I'm glad it is, but I wanted to use it for my backpack. Now learning that it'll scuff badly though, I think I may just skip out on May 4th this year."

If it's on your backpack, it will probably have greater longevity than if it were on your keyring alongside actual keys and other metal items that could scrape it up. Any minifgure keychain I've ever had on my keys hasn't lasted more than a year or two. The Poe Dameron on my backpack, however, has fared much better! :)"

How much abuse does your backpack see? And has it not been scratched at all?

Slow news day? :P

Yeah, the only one who will get it are fans of SW which will get it regardless, but they won't use it anyway. I don't think that we'll ever see one of these "in the wild", on a bag or attached to a key.

This ISN’T the way….?

@Zackula said:
"That's my issue with all the keychains too. I like them, but I know how they get after jangling around with keys for months."

At least with the minifigs, they're not pricey and not heavy. This is a giant, heavy lump!

@BulbaNerd4000 said:
"How much abuse does your backpack see? And has it not been scratched at all?"

My backpack has traveled to different parts of the country with me, goes with me to the grocery store once or twice a week, and is very familiar with my city's transit—so it sees a lot of action!

The secret to my Poe keychain's longevity has been that he isn't connected to keys or any other keychains and that he isn't low enough on my bag to drag on the ground. He's got some wear now since I've had him for several years, but he isn't nearly as bad as the Boba on my keys who is mostly missing his prints as well as the majority of his limbs—LOL.

@Wrecknbuild said:
" @Huw said:
" @Wrecknbuild , approx. 49x27x5mm. I'll let you do the maths, and yes, almost certainly the same material as Solo."

Thank you.
The density then is around 7.26 kg/l, so my best guess is it's tin. Cast iron would be another possibility ( https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/metal-alloys-densities-d_50.html )"

I'm fairly positive it's white tin or a zinc alloy. Cast iron is way too expensive for a cheap souvenir key chain and would stick to a magnet due to iron content. But the only part that sticks to a magnet is the key ring and chain, which are steel (tested on the Han Solo key chain). Therefore, the item is part steel, part non-ferrous tin/zinc.
And the beskar look pattern is a print, so all are identical.

@Mister_Jonny said:
"So, it's a keychain that doesn't really function very well as one? What was the point of this, again?"

Odd, it looks totally functional as a keychain: put some keys on it, they'll stay together and can be recognised by touch by the big lump. Huw did say it would get beaten about, but that is true of - well, any keychain. All the colour was scraped off my aluminium keychain years ago.

When I first saw this, I assumed it was aluminum or some other cheap metal. ...and now that I know it's painted plastic AND the entire backside (which WILL get viewed 50% of the time if I actually used this as a keychain) has unnecessary printing covering that entire surface, I have NO interest anymore.

What a shame.

@PDelahanty: It's not plastic, it's an alloy that Huw wasn't able to identify.

Keychains are my default souvenir of choice, so this will end up next to my 2x4 plate and Carbonite Han.

@whw_iv:
I’d never use any of the plastic LEGO keychains as actual keychains. I do have a Claw Alien on the top strap of one of my Classic Space tote bags, and the paint has started to wear off the eyes from flipping over and rubbing against the fabric. The metal might survive, but the print is still vulnerable. What I’ve found the plastic keychains are really suited for is Christmas ornaments.

@cody6268:
The material used may not be as suitable to acid etching as a kitchen knife. It’s probably also a more expensive process then printing the pattern.

@slvrlksrfr:
The 2x4 plate keychain is just chromed, with the LEGO and VIP logos molded into the obverse. The Han Carbonite keychain has the same pewter finish and, below the same two logos, the following appears as raised text on the obverse:

STAR WARS (C) & TM Lucasfilm Ltd TM
Made in Zhongshan, China, 07/20
(C) 2020 The LEGO Group

My guess is this is done as raised text because it is then stamped into the surface of the mold, spoiling it for fraudulent reuse later on. Since it’s the two LEGO SW keychains that got this treatment, and not the generic LEGO keychain, this may have been required by Disney. The Carbonite Han and 2x4 plate have boxes that are identical in shape, size, and layout, which identify them both as being manufactured by a UK-based company in Zhongshan, so it is noteworthy that the provenance isn’t formed into the 2x4 keychain, which was made just one month earlier.

@bananaworld:
Like the previous two metal keychains, the promotion is limited to VIP members.

@Muggle:
One of my college friends (who passed away several years ago), and one of my current coworkers each had about a pound of keys on their keychains, and neither had to get ignition switches replaced that I ever heard.

@sgllama:
I’ve been using a brass Admiralty anchor keychain for about 30 years now. I’ve had to reclose some of the links when it got snagged on something, but there’s no paint to wear off, and I can hang it on the corner of my front pocket by one of the flukes, which keeps it hanging vertical instead of getting balled up in a bruise-inducing lump at the bottom.

@PDelahanty:
It’s actual metal, with a faux-metal protective sealant, and paint deco application.

It’ll tear holes in your pockets too!

@Wrecknbuild said

'The density then is around 7.26 kg/l..."

I mean, I am your destiny.

Oops, sorry wrong movie!

@mavndad said:
" @Vindic8ed said:
" @CDM said:
"This comment section is about what I expected."

Why is there always someone commenting about the comments? What purpose does it serve? Does it feel good to contribute absolutely nothing useful?"

I just had to comment on this.
"

I’ll see that comment…and raise you five.

@blogzilly said:
" @mavndad said:
" @Vindic8ed said:
" @CDM said:
"This comment section is about what I expected."

Why is there always someone commenting about the comments? What purpose does it serve? Does it feel good to contribute absolutely nothing useful?"

I just had to comment on this.
"

I’ll see that comment…and raise you five.
"
No comment...

@CCC said:
" @Mister_Jonny said:
"So, it's a keychain that doesn't really function very well as one? What was the point of this, again?"

It's for collectors to store in its box, away from light, heat, abrasion, finger marks, etc."

I keep mine dangling from the engineering lamp on my lego desk. The light keeps getting lower with each addition so I have to add counterbalances on the other side. %)

Oh, I also put them on the Christmas tree in December.

@PurpleDave

"The material used may not be as suitable to acid etching as a kitchen knife. It’s probably also a more expensive process then printing the pattern."

I'm under the impression it was mainly the latter statement. With the right solution, the etching probably wouldn't be that hard, just more time consuming and expensive than it is to print. For something they are giving away for "free", they want to keep costs as low as possible (and obviously something they are not producing themselves, based on the copyright on the back vs. a LEGO piece they'd put together in their own factory).

@sjr60

"So, now that you've commented about the comments about the comments, did it feel good?"

Obviously. ;) And now that you've commented about the comment about the comment about the comments, you've contributed to the chain of comments about comments. Did that feel good?

@Vindic8ed said:
" @CDM said:
"This comment section is about what I expected."

Why is there always someone commenting about the comments? What purpose does it serve? Does it feel good to contribute absolutely nothing useful?"

And here you are commenting on my comment.

@CDM

"And here you are commenting on my comment."

Very original. See post(s) above; you started, and now continue to fuel, a senseless series of posts. Simply responding to you (again) continues this, lol.

There are some valid posts/arguments in here related to the keychain, such as the acid etching I commented about. I personally don't like the keychain and won't be getting it, but I appreciate the review and the posts associated with it that present valid reasons as to why/why not to get it.

@shirhac said:
"As ever so often this is just a waste of valuable ressources just to make a thing nobody really needs or can use properly. As a keychain it gets scratched up, is much too heavy with 48 grams and will poke holes in your pockets. So it will be left in its box waiting for its ultimate fate in some years. Hopefully it will then be thrown into a recycling bin. Lego, this is not sustainable or ecofriendly. Stop making such useless trinkets."

My feelings exactly. I wish there would be a way to opt out of receiving this piece of garbage.

@Vindic8ed said:
"See post(s) above; you started, and now continue to fuel, a senseless series of posts. Simply responding to you (again) continues this, lol."

No one had said anything related to my comment until YOU felt the need to bring attention to it.

That's the last thing I have to say about it.

@Vindic8ed:
I’m actually leaning more towards “unsuitable” now. Remember, both the 2x4 plate and Carbonite Han keychains were not bare metal. The plate was chromed, and Han had some sort of pewter-like finish applied. You can acid-etch metal, but any coating will hide what you just did. You probably can’t acid-etch the coating, at least not without destroying it.

BTW, the coolest business card I’ve ever seen was from company that did acid-etching. They took a thin sheet of surgical steel the size of a business card and acid-etched it. In some parts, they ate all the way through to create precision-shaped holes. In others, they left material there but added a textured finish instead. Besides graphic designers (which everyone expects, and which also tend to blend together once you’ve seen a few), how many business cards have you seen that were also samples of their work?

@alfred_the_buttler:
There are three ways. One is called “eBay”, or alternately “Bricklink”. Another is not signing into your VIP account, or showing them your card, when you make a purchase, since this is a VIP-exclusive promo (the two sets are not). The third is going to a LEGO Store and telling them to not add one to your bag. I mean, you could also throw it in the trash, but eBay/Bricklink probably pays better…

Seeing so much negativity in the comments section here, it's pretty hard to keep thinking what I did when I first saw this promo, which was "oh cool, a decent replica of beskar from my favourite franchise!"
I will say that quite some people have contributed valid criticism about this promo though, e.g.:
- not being related to LEGO
- heavy and inefficient
- material tends to wear with use
- ugly backside (although I personally have no problem with that one)
- painted plastic (?)

I mean, if you don't want it, save some for me because I would gladly buy it off you.

I bet people will start complaining next week about how it sells out so quickly...

@NatureBricks said:
"You couldn't bother to Google what an metal alloy is?"

You couldn't bother to read what Huw said?

@quixotequest said:
"Why if a Mandalorian 'beskar' metal item is it stamped with an Imperial logo?"

The Mandalorian takes place approximately 5 years after Return of the Jedi. During the Empire's reign they pillaged Mandalore's resources, and in the process claimed all the beskar.

@bananaworld said:
"Why does it say "VIP"?

What does it do?

Why does it exist?

What business does Huw have reviewing this when CapnRex is far more familiar with the nuances of Star Wars set construction & part-usage?"

Because Huw owns this site, and perhaps the Captain is off reviewing something else?

@Vindic8ed said:
" @CDM said:
"This comment section is about what I expected."

Why is there always someone commenting about the comments? What purpose does it serve? Does it feel good to contribute absolutely nothing useful?"

Well, because the comments are really very predictable. You commenting on someone else's comment does nothing useful either...

@Torrent_Studios said:
" @Vindic8ed said:
" @CDM said:
"This comment section is about what I expected."

Why is there always someone commenting about the comments? What purpose does it serve? Does it feel good to contribute absolutely nothing useful?"

Well, because the comments are really very predictable. You commenting on someone else's comment does nothing useful either...

"

Are people expecting to see some profound, life-changing statement hidden in these posts? Of course they're predictable, there's not much that can be said that hasn't been said before. IE, "I [like/don't like] it for reason [X,Y,Z]."

Mentioning how predictable the comments section is on every thread/article/review is insanity. Pointing out how dumb this practice is at least once will possibly prevent people from doing it in the future.

@Vindic8ed said:
" @CDM

"And here you are commenting on my comment."

Very original. See post(s) above; you started, and now continue to fuel, a senseless series of posts. Simply responding to you (again) continues this, lol.

There are some valid posts/arguments in here related to the keychain, such as the acid etching I commented about. I personally don't like the keychain and won't be getting it, but I appreciate the review and the posts associated with it that present valid reasons as to why/why not to get it."

I appreciate aburdity. No comment on all the comments and non-comments.

I think with all these comments about comments, the main issue with this keyring is being forgotten. And that's the fact that it's totally lacking in goats.

@sjr60 said:
"I think with all these comments about comments, the main issue with this keyring is being forgotten. And that's the fact that it's totally lacking in goats."

I can agree with that. They definitely dropped the ball by not including the elusive goat.

A Star Wars goat on a boat that floats in the moat.

Ed: those responsible for moderating the comments have been sacked!

@Torrent_Studios:
To be fair, one person even thought the article confirmed it’s made of plastic, even though the front page blurb says it’s metal.

@sjr60:
I hear that beskar’s forged in goats’ blood.

@TomKazutara said:
"Why is this Lego ?
No studs , or not even made like tile piece .
This is just a generic Star Wars Keychain ."

Not gonna complain because I still want one.

is this that "block chain" everyone's been talking about

Normally the comments section bums me out, but this one made me LOL :D

@Huw said:
" @Wrecknbuild , approx. 49x27x5mm. I'll let you do the maths, and yes, almost certainly the same material as Solo."

It's made of lead.

(49x27x4 mm)/60 g = 11.33 g/cm3.

Don't put it in your mouth, kids!