Saber Forum

My order finally arrived yesterday! I decided to take advantage of the Summer Blaze Sale and here is the unboxing of my order.
 
(http://i.imgur.com/IE1ZvkG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vZOfmL5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OHLD8uT.jpg)


The first Saber was another Dark Initiate. This time I went with the Dark Initiate LE v4 with Obsidian and Emerald in Blazing red w/ Orange FoC, Li-Ion setup with a recharge port, windowed emitter, Bellicose Short Grooves Pommel and a Silver Non-Illuminated AV switch.

(http://i.imgur.com/QrdOOnW.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ5H3_NQWQE&feature=youtu.be


The second saber is a Consular with Obsidian and Emerald in Blazing Red w/ Orange FoC, Li-Ion setup with a recharge port, Silver Non-Illuminated AV switch and Standard Shroud finish.

(http://i.imgur.com/uRW3U3w.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1Wq9rZz.jpg)


The third saber was a Dark Apprentice LE v4 Stunt in Blazing Red.

(http://i.imgur.com/6cpz3Uw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qGzWVol.jpg)


I got a grab bag with this purchase that I am quite happy with. A Sentinel v4 Stunt in Guardian Blue, Standard Battery setup, Recharge Port, Windowless Emitter, Regular Pommel and Silver Non-Illuminated AV switch.

(http://i.imgur.com/Yfr2no4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/F1WGKQT.jpg)


Here is my entire collection

(http://i.imgur.com/71CvJG3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FLW94hy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BjHZ2yS.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I91xWqKT-5I


After playing around with them a bit here is my opinion...

 My personal favorite so far is the Dark Initiate. Due to physical limitations (smaller hands and old injury) I prefer the smaller hilts, the Initiate hilt has good weight and balance and just feels right in my hand. The Apprentice doesn’t have as good a balance in my hand. It is very top heavy to me, tho that might be righted if I switch out the pommel for a more weighted one. Also the machined grips are not as comfortable and the choke points are more awkward.

Between the Apprentice and the Sentinel, I prefer the Sentinel. Because of the longer neck the balance is better and the choke points are more comfortable.

I love the look of the Consular tho at first I find the shroud to be a little distracting while holding it. The more I handle it the less the edges bother me. I dislike that the covertec wheel is automatically included, that gets in the way for me. Between my Manticore and Consular it’s a tight decision… Both are beautiful sabers but very large for me, I would have to use two hands with both. The Manticore feels a touch lighter but also a touch more top heavy than the Consular. I prefer the top choke point below the emitter on the Consular over the Manticore but vise versa for my grip lower on the hilt. The main reason is the covertec wheel is right where my hand wants to be and that throws the balance off for me.

This was excellent to read, thx!  A feast for the eyes and some valuable input from what you've observed with each hilt design.  It's even hard for me to choose a favourite of what you have, such a quality selection you've amassed.
You videos show as unavailable, perhaps the privacy settings need to be changed to public viewing?  Looking fwd to seeing them  :D

Points!

Thank you hazard, I will fix the videos as soon as I get back home.

Nice sabers !.  Am looking forward to viewing the videos.  About that grab bag... did you pay extra for the the av switch and esp. the recharge port ?  Might be worth your while down the road to upgrade this Sentinel saber to a v4 soundboard or at the very least Li-Ion batteries with buckpuck so the rp can be used.  :)

Personally as one who has a majority of dark or combo silver/black sabers... I'm pleased that you got the highly desirable Sentinel in silver with a Jedi blade ( although Siths used blue as well ).  Bet you will use it a lot.  :D

D7,  it was a free grab bag for the Summer Blaze sale. Yeah I would like to upgrade it to Li-Ion in the future. When I first got it I was surprised it had the recharge port then disappointed it only had the regular battery setup. A project for the future (when I have money again lol)

Ok, I believe I have the video issue worked out
 ::)

Ah, they look lovely in your video.  Another appreciation point coming your way.

Looks like an excellent group of sabers there.
Nice little set

Looks like a nice collection you have there. Cool that the grab bag came with a recharge port although a little odd since the reg battery set up.

Congrats, my friend, on this incredible order. I am glad that you are enjoying your sabers.

Thanks all!

Good review and nice collection!  ;D
 I have all but the Manticore as well. Those are some great looking sabers! Dark side point to you for sharing.

Nice collection!

Thinking of going a lil crazy myself! Was wondering; In your collection picture, the first dark initiate looks like it has the silver bands reversed, compared to the one to it's right. Is that an option or was that a grab bag saber and that was it's cosmetic flaw?

Good eye, Mirage :)

Lady Agana, you have an awesome collection - and that Sentinel grab bag is a real score. Definitely worth considering the upgrade for that, I feel!

I did the bands myself on that Dark Initiate. I didn't like the solid black look and wanted it to be a bit battle scarred so I took it to the grinding wheel. I masked off the areas I wanted to remain black then used a brush wheel to remove the anodized paint. It looks somewhat weathered and has an almost damascus look to it.

Would you please provide a close up photo of this saber and share more about that grinding wheel and what it's attached to.  Thanks.  :)

You know... hmm... I'm beginning to think that perhaps you aren't of the female persuasion... but you are cool either way.  ;)

Closeup of the emitter:

(http://i.imgur.com/ijpVEoq.jpg)


Pommel:

(http://i.imgur.com/Z5AILNz.jpg)


Its just a good ol grinding wheel with a steel brush:

(http://i.imgur.com/jzUToH9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Lz3SPBl.jpg)


And actually I am a woman lol. I grew up in a manufacturing household so lots of tools and the knowledge to use them.

Brilliant!

Thanks for the clarification and more power to you.  The reason that I ask is that using a grinder wheel on that beastie machine is not for the weak or timid of heart.  I was once a denturist ( family businesses ) so am in the distant past use to a similar type smaller machine with various grinding/polishing wheels and burrs.  We made other mostly finer detailed items as well.  Have some comfort level with a hand held dremel but not much relative current experience.  :)

Really nice removal of the black anodizing and light buffing job ?!  Liking the different textures.  I'll show you photos of my previous first saber customization ( PB swallowed them ) after the upcoming saber challenge that ends on July 31st and sabers displayed on Aug 1st.  You still have time to participate.  ;)

more points your way  8)

That looks really cool, nice work :)




Wire wheels melt aluminium so easily. If you're a bit scared of the big bad bench grinder you can get the same melted result from a wire brush bit on a Dremel or even a wire brush in a power drill (even just a battery one will work). Instead of going fast, go slow and hold the brush in place longer than you think you should and you will see results very quickly.

Not sure why my first response didn't show, but it was ;
 Nothing wrong with a woman with who knows how to use tools and mod stuff.
 My wife helps me work on stuff when ever she can.

Thanks!

The red LED Consular looks sick!

Excellent mods on that. Nice use of the basic tools