Nazgul 8.1 – designed by Jason Ku

As I have shared earlier, Jason has improved further on his Nazgul model and brought us Nazgul 8.1! But I would hardly call this an improvement… it is actually an entirely new design! The diagram of folding Nazgul 8.1 is published in the Origami Tanteidan Magazine issue #129.

In Nazgul 7.3, the model is folded with the head-tail of the horse in the diagonal direction of the square paper, whereas in Nazgul 8.1, the model is folded with the head-tail of the horse in the orthogonal direction of the square paper, yet still leave a generous amount of paper to fold and shape the head and tail, even though the edge is shorter than the diagonal.

I have used a 62cm black square paper crumpled paper to fold this model, but would recommend you to use a stiffer paper. Crumpled paper is very thin and flexible, and can take repeat folding and unfolding . Pretty good for test folding, as well as for flat and low model (such as the shore crab). The paper become too weak to support the weight of a model which is standing up, like this Nazgul 8.1 model. Therefore I have to put in some re-enforcement to support the model for the photo shoot.

As usual, the first 41 steps is the folding and collapsing of the paper to form right half the base…

Then you have to repeat the same 41 steps to obtain the full base…

The next 13 steps is rather uninteresting as it basically do the pre-fold of the horse head. Steps 55 breaks the monotonous flat model into upright model and you can roughly sees the shape of the hands of the Nazgul. When you folded until steps 82, you would have exhausted all the well guided steps because what come after all depends on individual artistic judgement.

My first attempt to form the model is a really bad experience. I only manage to get the rider shaped out proportionally but really hated the shape of the head of the horse.

Therefore I unfolded and reshaped the head of the horse again…. and again…. and again…. total 6 times!! (Thank goodness the crumpled paper didn’t tear… it just become more crumpled! :D) And finally I got something that is at least presentable….

The Nazgul 8.1 model is indeed a much elegant design as compared to the earlier version. The pleated folds on the head of the horse gives it an armor claded looks. The tail is also much bigger and nicer.