Suggestion Box/Wishlist: what do we want from Ultrasabers?

[DarthProdigal]

When I 1st read it I did heartily enjoy the concept... Frankensabers are in a God-tier of ridiculousness when it comes down to attainability. I do agree that this establishes a level of "exclusivity" and works in US favor on the Supply/Demand side. Also how much of a pain in the butt it likely would be to have to start "mass producing" random builds order by order in untold numbers... Nightmarish is a word, but of course it's a dream come true on the consumer side instead. Though obviously then website updates are needed to create a universal builder option that can cobble together any/all compatible parts without including any "impossible" to remove emitters and such. Yeah, as much as we would like it to be reality I think Cyclops is right, they'd stay expensive or make people at US cry tears of blood and descend into madness. A great idea, but likely unrealistic.  

[DarthRondoudou]

Sooo. I just got a saber from some Other Guys.
I hear the criticism of US electronics now. BUT. Those sabers are not for everyone either.
Smoothswing is nice, and US could benefit from adding it. (though I'm unsure if saber dueling is made with sound on or not. I guess it depends).
As I said, having multiple sound fonts, color changing on the fly, having music playing from your saber while swinging it... It can be fun for some. But it can also be a pain in the ass.
When you get a setting you like and then make a small mistake, you now have to switch through many things to go back to the sound font you liked or to get rid of the music or to get the perfect color, ...
I don't care for music. I mostly like one font or one for each different saber I have. I like to be able to chose the color, but I don't like to be able to switch it. So no, those electronic features will not get my business. I'm all about hilt design. Which is why I bought this one since it's not on US catalog. I now find myself wishing I could get rid of most of the fancy stuff.

IF you like all of this AND like US hilts, well, go for an emerald (color changing via computer plugging) or a diamond (color, sound font, effects, changing on the fly or with computer plugging) from US. Though they ARE expensive.
If, like me, you're all about hilts and basic stuff, then US is quite good as is. Though on the expensive side.

TLDR :
* smoothswing yes!! Please US, add it! (can it be achieved via lowering sensibility on emerald/diamond sabers?)
* I love my US sabers (especially Guardian, Empress, Spectre and Emperor's Hand)
* I don't care about fancy electronic features from Other Guys, it is not a criteria for me.

[nunya]

* smoothswing yes!! Please US, add it! (can it be achieved via lowering sensibility on emerald/diamond sabers?)
* I love my US sabers (especially Guardian, Empress, Spectre and Emperor's Hand)
* I don't care about fancy electronic features from Other Guys, it is not a criteria for me.

agreed on the smooth swing - gives the real feel.  I have tried to replicate this in the Diamond and it was a fail.  Someone else may have found the sweet spot on settings for the swing but i doubt it is transferrable between individuals (i.e. every swing is different). 
agreed also on the US hilts - they are, for most offerings, superior to others I have seen so far.

[Darth Tepes]

Sooo. I just got a saber from some Other Guys.
I hear the criticism of US electronics now. BUT. Those sabers are not for everyone either.
Smoothswing is nice, and US could benefit from adding it. (though I'm unsure if saber dueling is made with sound on or not. I guess it depends).
As I said, having multiple sound fonts, color changing on the fly, having music playing from your saber while swinging it... It can be fun for some. But it can also be a pain in the ass.
When you get a setting you like and then make a small mistake, you now have to switch through many things to go back to the sound font you liked or to get rid of the music or to get the perfect color, ...
I don't care for music. I mostly like one font or one for each different saber I have. I like to be able to chose the color, but I don't like to be able to switch it. So no, those electronic features will not get my business. I'm all about hilt design. Which is why I bought this one since it's not on US catalog. I now find myself wishing I could get rid of most of the fancy stuff.

IF you like all of this AND like US hilts, well, go for an emerald (color changing via computer plugging) or a diamond (color, sound font, effects, changing on the fly or with computer plugging) from US. Though they ARE expensive.
If, like me, you're all about hilts and basic stuff, then US is quite good as is. Though on the expensive side.

TLDR :
* smoothswing yes!! Please US, add it! (can it be achieved via lowering sensibility on emerald/diamond sabers?)
* I love my US sabers (especially Guardian, Empress, Spectre and Emperor's Hand)
* I don't care about fancy electronic features from Other Guys, it is not a criteria for me.

Having never seen or dealt with smoothswing I can not comment but I can agree anytime I have bought or looked at Other Guys stuff its due to hilt design.  That being said, my wishes:

To repeat myself:  I would love to see a more elegantly curved hilt (Dooku, Assaj, Ahsoka) and a Claymore-esg saber, Where the quillions go up into a V and a basket hilt saber.

[DarthRondoudou]

Having never seen or dealt with smoothswing I can not comment but I can agree anytime I have bought or looked at Other Guys stuff its due to hilt design.  That being said, my wishes:

To repeat myself:  I would love to see a more elegantly curved hilt (Dooku, Assaj, Ahsoka) and a Claymore-esg saber, Where the quillions go up into a V and a basket hilt saber.

It's probably not that easy to do. But I second that request for an elegant curved hilt. I can't stand the whatsitsname on US catalog. I just can't. Then again, there are not that many hilts left that appeal to me on their catalog.

agreed on the smooth swing - gives the real feel.  I have tried to replicate this in the Diamond and it was a fail.  Someone else may have found the sweet spot on settings for the swing but i doubt it is transferrable between individuals (i.e. every swing is different). 
agreed also on the US hilts - they are, for most offerings, superior to others I have seen so far.

Too bad. I was hoping it could be done. Oh well. Could not be that simple ^^'
To be fair, I've found (as I did with the EH) a more accurate and beautiful version of the saber I got from those Other Guys. At Another Guy. But the price... Oh man the price... So you know... Hilt design and budget.
I really like it. And I would be interested to see how US would do it should they do their own version (this particular hilt has been discussed in this very topic IIRC). But those fancy features uuuurgh.
This is why I tend to laugh at all the videos about where to order sabers or where not to... It all depends on what you want your saber to do. And not do.

[firehand10k]

Just order stunts or empty and install smoothswing capable sound cards. Its pretty easy to do and one can never get beyond padawan without building their own saber. The biggest reason I like Ultrasabers after their size and style is the fact that they are very easy to work on and make my own way. Some of the other guys make cool looking stuff but won't sell empty or light only. I don't even like to get their prettiest designs that why. I use the same siund card as one if them sometimes and atoll wont order pre wired.

[DarthRondoudou]

US selling empty hilts is a good point for them, as long as you are equiped to do the installs. Wich is not my case ^^'

[Beeblebrox]

Saberchucks. I know other companies make them but they all look the same and need more style. I use oak nunchaku and I see saberchucks as fairly impractical, but fancy looking ones with cool features like flash on clash (which I’ve never seen on chucks) would be totally worth it to me. Thoughts? I know a certain Psycho Sith and an amazing British saber designer that probably have some awesome designs they could contribute.

[SirLiftaLot]

Saberchucks. I know other companies make them but they all look the same and need more style. I use oak nunchaku and I see saberchucks as fairly impractical, but fancy looking ones with cool features like flash on clash (which I’ve never seen on chucks) would be totally worth it to me. Thoughts? I know a certain Psycho Sith and an amazing British saber designer that probably have some awesome designs they could contribute.

I want a set of saber chucks that actually function how saberchucks would in-universe. So no chucks with 2” of “hilt” by the chain and 90% of the Chuck handle being “blade.” You don’t hold a lightsaber by the blade. More of the upper half being hilt and the lower half being blade. Long enough hilts to be able to hold and grab them like normal nunchucks, so usable even with blade plugs in. But also long enough blades to still look like a lightsaber. But not too long that it inhibits movement and range of motion.

I actually took two sabers from other guys and used some improvised MHS parts to make saberchucks that work this way and also screw together to form a saber baton, or short staff. The trade off for this conversion option is that the chains don’t have bearings, so the motion isn’t perfectly smooth relative to actual nunchucks.

I think I have some photos and videos in my costume thread? I started with non-saber LED chucks, but ended up improving a fancier version as described above.

[For Tyeth]

Saberchucks. I know other companies make them but they all look the same and need more style. I know a certain Psycho Sith and an amazing British saber designer that probably have some awesome designs they could contribute.

Hi Beeblebrox, if your kind compliment was aimed a t me thank you very much, however...I haven't much experience with Saberchucks but I had a few Aeons laying around and a bit of chain....



I need to work on some swivels I think....

[DarthProdigal]

Having never seen or dealt with smoothswing I can not comment but I can agree anytime I have bought or looked at Other Guys stuff its due to hilt design.  That being said, my wishes:

To repeat myself:  I would love to see a more elegantly curved hilt (Dooku, Assaj, Ahsoka)

But I second that request for an elegant curved hilt.

Too bad. I was hoping it could be done. Oh well. Could not be that simple ^^'

And the refrain: we want that curved saber so terribly, reaper or really anything...

I do agree with Firehand as well on the "buy a hilt and figure out the smooth swing install" the internet is a wonder for self help DIY everything after all. That good ole chestnut of desire building passion leading to strengths and accomplishments? Paraphrasing the road to victory... But if all else fails and you can't get a particular job done, do it yourself somehow (if it's that desirable anyway).

Though I am laughing a bit at how terribly precise you'd have to be with saber-chucking, thinking it through SirLift's design he's used would be reasonable to use but lunacy in how perfect the execution must be... Since num-chuks almost require so much hand/grip switching and there is barely any hilt to grip mid high speed transition. The mastery level in universe to not lose a finger seems staggering. (even above and beyond not maiming one's self with other saber variants)

[Beeblebrox]

Hi Beeblebrox, if your kind compliment was aimed a t me thank you very much, however...I haven't much experience with Saberchucks but I had a few Aeons laying around and a bit of chain....



I need to work on some swivels I think....

Yes! I dig it. I figure I would personally want to use the Initiate V2, V3 or V4 for the short length if blades are to be added (obviously they are). The ball bearing swivel is the main problem. The would need to attach to the pommel, but then they are just going to unscrew within minutes and your saber chucks are going flying. If there was a way to screw the pommel on and lock it with some sort of low profile latch, then we’re in business. I like the idea of using catalyst pommels since they taper slightly and seem like they would be more comfortable while also maintaining the look and shape of real nunchaku.

https://www.sakuramartialarts.com/Martial_Arts_Weapons_Nunchaku_Swivel_Repair_Kit_p/wea-92290-a1.htm

[SirLiftaLot]

Just wrap some gaffer tape around the pommel, so it’s half on the pommel and half on the hilt. Should hold up fine. I’ve just screwed in the improvised pommels I made and it’s never unscrewed from a few minutes of use e even without tape. Gaffer tape is pretty strong, and also doesn’t leave any residue when removed.

[Beeblebrox]

Just wrap some gaffer tape around the pommel, so it’s half on the pommel and half on the hilt. Should hold up fine. I’ve just screwed in the improvised pommels I made and it’s never unscrewed from a few minutes of use e even without tape. Gaffer tape is pretty strong, and also doesn’t leave any residue when removed.

Ive been hoping for something more permanent and elegant but that should work just fine to get started and getting it actually working. Point.

[For Tyeth]

Yes! I dig it. I figure I would personally want to use the Initiate V2, V3 or V4 for the short length if blades are to be added (obviously they are).

I realise that a shorter hilt would be preferable but I only had 3D models of the Aeon and Sentinels (that I modelled for another member) which I could mock up quick for you all.
Karmack's Family Colours:


But I have worked on a curved saber but it got a bit too warm and discoloured!