US Dark Prototype

[hazard502]

I received this beauty as a raffle prize in US 2nd Summer Raffle.  Why Dark Prototype?  Well it's dark and a prototype saber, what more can I say?  I know others are calling it a V4 but this is the way I like to go for now.  I checked the Announcement page on Saberforum and looked over the sabers offered at Ultrasabers website, and as of now this saber is not available.  So I wanted to do a bit of a review, put this thing on camera and have another look at it.


Review:
http://youtu.be/JYBEoc7thQE?list=PLDHzMBFHWNJ0ItUeloyTxagd_5AE25BnI





Here are a few pics of the prototype with a few of my pommels for comparison sake:

Bellicose pommel:



Manticore pommel:



Dark Initiate V3 vented pommel:



War Glaive pommel: (no thanks )



Prophecy V3 vented pommel:



MHS Guardian pommel:





There is another excellent and comprehensive review of the silver prototype version done by saberforum member julmax here:  http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=21174.0
I encourage you to check it out.


Thanks for watching guys

[jedi Kai-gon]

Great review, I have to say I am really liking this prototype saber. I can't wait until it is released.

[sedstiskyfaller]

Very nice, hazard! Thanks for posting a video review of this mystery saber. Congrats again on being so lucky 

[Tobytheterrible]

That guardian pommel looks good on the prototype. Thank you for posting these.

[Zren Tobas]

Very nice. And cool to see one in action finally. I might get the Dark Prototype in the same color now as well. Hope they get out soon. *Major hint at the US team*. Lol.

[julmax]

Hey Hazard...  Great review! 

I'm really camera shy, so I'm glad someone who's not afraid to get in front of the camera got one of these prototypes.  As of now, and to the best of my knowledge, yours represents the third "V4" prototype to be received by a forum member and the first in a dark finish.  I have also heard talk it being available at comic cons, but I cannot confirm this.

I have to admit to using the V4 title when referring to this prototype.  However, I still hold firm to my belief that it will ultimately be released under its own name.  Got no proof of that, but it's a feeling I get.  Regardless, as I said before, you are so going to love that saber.

Thanks for promoting my own review...  a point to you...  and congratulations!

[Ziran Le]

We have photos and confirmation on the release of the new Initiate V4.  US is only selling the new Initiate at cons right now but I was told that it will be released for sale on the web site soon.  I have not heard anything else about these new hilts that the two of you (and a couple others) have received.

Have you heard that people have bought one of these at the cons?  US is going to be here in Austin this coming weekend but I won't be able to attend the con.

[magik0012]

We have photos and confirmation on the release of the new Initiate V4.  US is only selling the new Initiate at cons right now but I was told that it will be released for sale on the web site soon.  I have not heard anything else about these new hilts that the two of you (and a couple others) have received.

Have you heard that people have bought one of these at the cons?  US is going to be here in Austin this coming weekend but I won't be able to attend the con.

Dang it! I thought the con was later in the month.. I'm going to be out of town Thurs - Sun! Booooooo!!

[Ziran Le]

Naw, it's this weekend homie.

http://www.wizardworld.com/home-tx.html

I placed an order last Thursday night and didn't expect that it would be out on Friday, since the San Antonio con started on Friday afternoon.  But I wonder whether the US guys are working this week?  They'll have to be in Austin at least by Friday morning and it's only a couple hour drive from their HQ so I'm hoping that my order will ship this week...and that it has a Dark Liberator in it...in any color other than Guardian Blue...(hint hint, if you're reading this).

Seriously...

[hazard502]

Thank you for the comments guys.  I realized in the video I said the hilt was "comfortable" too many times   But honestly it fits perfect in hand, it feels fluid when swinging it around and it kinda begs to be be used and used hard!  It seems like it has that kind of nature to it, which is indicative of a good dueller I guess. 

The black anodized finish is pretty clean and on this one the blade felt secure in the emitter, no wobble that I could detect.  I've swung it around pretty hard and it seems stable.