Saber Forum

Hi all! Cyberkyber here! I’m really happy to announce my latest acquisition, the Ultrasabers Gralfex SE! It is a stunt saber with TRI guardian blue and a 32” heavy grade blade (no sound, but my next purchase will finally be an emerald with sound). Its AV switch is non-illuminated, in an attempt to preserve the really look of a graflex with the touch of US.

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13115407_10154185962882472_616066842_n_zpsczekomz1.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13115407_10154185962882472_616066842_n_zpsczekomz1.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13115871_10154185962912472_551450424_n_zpsotobgzfq.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13115871_10154185962912472_551450424_n_zpsotobgzfq.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13081912_10154185962892472_118378587_n_zpswsjn6eme.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13081912_10154185962892472_118378587_n_zpswsjn6eme.jpg.html)

The rear button is red and the front one is chrome for an ANH/TFA look.

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13081659_10154185962897472_1502495272_n_zps1yftbblv.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13081659_10154185962897472_1502495272_n_zps1yftbblv.jpg.html)

Its final specification detail is that its blade retention screw is a socket instead of a button style.

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13115552_10154185962857472_1547793941_n_zps18qchqth.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13115552_10154185962857472_1547793941_n_zps18qchqth.jpg.html)

For people that are looking forward to constantly remove the blade, I’d recommend the socket over the button, since it needs a bigger wrench and feels much sturdier, I really wouldn’t be afraid of stripping it!

It really is a work of art, so shiny, really screen accurate apart from the activation box (which really isn’t an issue) and apparently the fact that it has 6 T-grips. Apparently the real replicas have 7, but honestly, I don’t think it’s really an issue. Plus, if the US graflex had 7, I’m sure my OCD would be constantly reminding me that it doesn’t have an even number of grips, wouldn’t be comfortable with that XD.

On another note, apparently many people have been saying that the graflex isn’t really comfortable when duelling or spinning, and I even thought so myself before it arrived, but I really don’t see why anymore. I’m quite short (5’5”) and have quite small hands, so I naturally though the graflex would be too bulky for me, but even my small hands can wrap around it. And when using both hands, you can just rest your non-dominant hand (my left hand in my case) on the grips, just above the covertec wheel. It’s true that it is quite a heavy hilt, but I’m not really built and I can pull off plenty of one-handed swings, spins and fancy stuff, so it shouldn’t be a problem for any of you.

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13115530_10154185962852472_957848178_n_zpsixizab6w.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13115530_10154185962852472_957848178_n_zpsixizab6w.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13077279_10154185962847472_401292262_n_zpsu6xk23tj.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13077279_10154185962847472_401292262_n_zpsu6xk23tj.jpg.html)

As a last comment, not specifically about my graflex, but stunt Ultrasabers in general, if you’re looking at getting a stunt saber I would always, ALWAYS go for a TRI LED (unless you need a premium mixed colour like violet). I’ve always got single led stunt sabers, but I decided to go for a TRI LED for the graflex. When compared to another single guardian blue LED, there isn’t a notable difference in brightness in a dim place. But once you’re in a brightly lit area, you can see the difference.
 
(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13090295_10154185962772472_806900825_n_zps1qpzqqtm.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13090295_10154185962772472_806900825_n_zps1qpzqqtm.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13084175_10154185962832472_1175171354_n_zpsnpztz020.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13084175_10154185962832472_1175171354_n_zpsnpztz020.jpg.html)

Both types of LEDs will loose brightness, but the TRI one will prevail. Outdoors, you would barely see a tinge of blue on a single LED saber, but still see quite a lot of brightness on a TRI one. I mean this outdoors in Spain, where the sun is excessive in my opinion XD, so you can imagine how well a TRI saber does.

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13077145_10154185962827472_614978611_n_zpsb0azlr3z.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13077145_10154185962827472_614978611_n_zpsb0azlr3z.jpg.html)

My prophecy V3 is now happy to have a worthy rival!

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13081623_10154185962802472_530753681_n_zpsryrkxlj6.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13081623_10154185962802472_530753681_n_zpsryrkxlj6.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13090029_10154185962792472_152784880_n_zpsysozaplk.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13090029_10154185962792472_152784880_n_zpsysozaplk.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13101481_10154185962762472_2091484490_n_zpshf0kukgg.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13101481_10154185962762472_2091484490_n_zpshf0kukgg.jpg.html)

Stay awesome, happy dueling!

Great review CyberKyber!

What an awesome saber you have in the Graflex.  I so want one.

Point. :)

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! =)

Yeah, the graflex is one of Ultrasabers' prettiest sabers, if not the prettiest :P

Great choice!

Love how battle ready these versions of the hilts are! Anyone know if the bunny ears hold up? I would take'em off for regular sparring. Protect your ears and the screw tap.

Mwaahahaa I thought your Prophecy was a Chosen one. Nice job! How are your grips holding up? My kid just had me remove hers for tennis grip and a knob for a pistol grip.

Awesome saber! I ordered one just like it last week!

Heya! Yeah, they're really sturdy, quite impressed of how the graflex holds up so far. It's had quite a few hits to the hilt itself resulting in no damage at all, even on the bunny ears. I've actually tried to take them off, but they're screwed in reeeeeeeally tight, had no luck taking them off so far, but since they are quite sturdy anyway it's not a real problem.

And thanks about the prophecy! Definitely the saber that I have dedicated most time to in terms of modding. The Chosen one is my favourite hilt, but it's just too chunky, so I just decided to get the prophecy instead and use heat shrink tube for the emitter and activation box and paint them using metallic black spray paint, and it turns out heat shrink tubing retains paint really well (unlike metal XD). And the grips are great! They're from eBay, though "the other guys" probably offer them too. They stick just using double glue tape already integrated in them. I thought they'd come off easily, but wow, they're fixed in place as if they had been soldered or something! XD

Oooo, then you're certainly in for a treat :P Stunt? Single or TRI LED? Sound? FoC? Emerald?

Yes, TRI GB is a natural treasure!

Also, I'm digging that Prophecy mod you have going on. Very nice.

Nice review. I also have a Tri green in my first saber, and I will be getting a tri blue in my second...a point for you. What do you want? Light or dark side points?

Totally agree with you, TRI FTW! And thank you! I'm glad you like the mod =)

Nice, and I see you have it with premium sound! The only thing I don't like about TRI and sound is the lack of FoC, I'd really like to see a comparison of brightness between an emerald or a single LED with FoC and just a plain TRI in terms of brightness, just to see the ultimate compromise between brightness and duel functionality XD

Thank you for the point ^_^ Please give me of either side, I don't mind :P

Great review! You definitely took some great photos of your Graflex SE. :D
Now I want one!

(I gave you a dark side point since you have Vader as your Icon. Haha.)

Haha, thanks! Vader is my favourite after all, and any force point is welcome :P
And I really recommend the graflex, I have nothing but good words about it XD Just holding it in your hand makes you feel part of the star wars universe, like the real deal

Tri cree is cheaper and brighter, so for me brightness is more important than flash on clash...

That's totally fine, everyone has his/her own preference. Plus if you're not a big fan of flash on clash, you get both sound and super brightness, so it's a win-win for you!

I'll definetly add it to my Wishlist.
Though I think I might try Arctic Blue on mine for that ANH look.  :D

Nice! I would've loved to get it in arctic blue too, but I went fro TRI GB just for the brightness :P

In the pictures it looks super bright.  :o
I assume Arctic Blue will be pretty bright too since there are two diodes making the color. (TRI being 3 diodes.)

Yes, apparently AB is inbetween GB and TRI GB in terms of brightness - though, I suspect it'd be a little brighter than TRI due to it being a lighter blue.

Eventually when I get one, I'll have to do a comparison next to my regular GB.
Though that probably will be a while. A Flamberge is next on my list. :D

Wow, great pictures! I am very impressed with the brightness of the Tri-LED, might have to take that into consideration for my next purchase.

Yeah, you're probably both right since the white diode is bound to provide a lot of brightness, I might have to consider that with future purchases! (also, please correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't arctic blue also have a bit of green? Not as much as sunrider's destiny, but just so it's blue, white and a slight green glow. If so, it could be even brighter! I should try that on an emerald XD)

Thank you! =) Yes, that was also my reaction, not thinking it would be that bright when I actually purchased it. Probably even more noticeable with reds, since red is usually a duller color, and a TRI would probably do it justice!

I read somewhere that Guardian Blue + Consular Green = Arctic Blue. The 3rd diode is for FoC I think. (Correct me if I'm wrong too. Definitely try it on a Emerald though!)

Will definitely try it on emerald! Veered soon, definitely using this May the Fourth sale to get an emerald. I'm also getting colour discs to try if adage silver from an emerald also works with discs :P

It will, though I don't see the point of using a Emerald for color discs.  :D

That's sweetness right there

So would you mind showin us what it looks like without the covertec wheel on it? Btw great review very informative!

I know XD But I really like the idea of being able to change the color of the saber immediately, and see the effect of FoC with a color disc

No doubt :P

Yeah, no problem! As soon as I get back home (tomorrow or monday) I'll make sure to take a pic of it without the covertec

Thanks! i am seriously considering buying one as my first and removing the wheel to make it TFA style.

Very nice. I know what I'll be getting next. Even though I don't have a Sith saber with sound yet but still :P I need a Grafle saber in my life. Going classic ANH look too or might do Anakin ROTS look. Not too sure yet

I love the pics and I love this saber.  Even if it's not 100% screen accurate, it still rocks.  I'm not opposed to people doing their own thing with a design and US did this one beautifully.  I'd imagine that rounded over activation box is more comfortable for dueling than a Graflex clamp.  After all, it's not like the stunt hilts in the films had that huge thing.  That was just the "hero" hilt for closeups and hanging from belts.  The stunt hilts were quite plain.  US gives you a hero hilt you can really duel with.

Lastly, thanks for the comparison of the standard and TRI LED setups.  I'd been curious about the difference.

Very cool info, pics. I agree for one handed grip it's fine but I disagree for your off hand with a 2 handed grip. Those T tracks are very bulky  &  uncomfortable.  I only make this statement because i practice HEMA  and also have been using sparring techniques with friends using my sabers. But outside of that it's  a sweet saber I love mine more so when I got lower profile t grips.

Hi, sorry for taking my sweet time XD But I finally got those pics, here is the graflex with no covertec wheel:

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13150043_10154214992782472_1630293188_n_zpsbspnpaxl.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13150043_10154214992782472_1630293188_n_zpsbspnpaxl.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13181092_10154214992772472_1175323369_n_zpsx8it8tzn.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13181092_10154214992772472_1175323369_n_zpsx8it8tzn.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13140544_10154214992762472_1700934103_n_zps0jtf94cq.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13140544_10154214992762472_1700934103_n_zps0jtf94cq.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13183173_10154214992767472_1331129454_n-2_zpsabemsk35.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13183173_10154214992767472_1331129454_n-2_zpsabemsk35.jpg.html)

(http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g335/cyberkyber/13152871_10154214992757472_1060767986_n_zps0ueoyt7i.jpg) (http://s1096.photobucket.com/user/cyberkyber/media/13152871_10154214992757472_1060767986_n_zps0ueoyt7i.jpg.html)

I definitely recommend you get the graflex then. ALSO, if you also need a sith saber with sound, you could do what I've always though of (but haven't had the funds yet XD): get an emerald graflex with sound and change at any time from blue/arctic blue to red, that way you have a jedi and a sith saber with sound, kind of an alternate version of Anakin's saber if he'd defeated Obi Wan in Mustafar.

Yes, you are very right, the rounded activation box is very very comfortable (and smooth, really nice to the touch). The only other activation box I had to compare it with was the activation box of Luke's ROTJ first original hasbro toy from... 1997? That was uncomfortable and it was only plastic. Imagine a sharp aluminium activation box XD

And, you're welcome about the LED comparison. I did it cos I was curious myself, so I figured other people could find it useful :P

Ah, I see were you come from. See, the thing is HEMA usually uses the dominant hand to direct the sword and the other hand to grip the sword tightly. That way, of course, the plastic grips will feel veeery uncomfortable if you tighten your hand full-force. I use more wushu technique, where handling the hilt is a bit of the opposite: you use your dominant hand to handle the full weight of the sword and a bit of direction too, and the other hand more for direction and a more loose grip, since wushu encourages more the transition between two-handed and one-handed sword technique.

Ooo, nice, low profile grips! Did you dismantle the saber and rebuild it yourself? Are they still plastic or rubber?

Just a suggestion, but like I've done, I'd use an old small blade holder screw (if you have one handy) to plug the Covertec Wheel hole, just to keep dust/sweat/Midi-chlorians (they get in everywhere!) out of the electrics -

(http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w497/Seano321/20160509_200708_zpsudspahl1.jpg) (http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/Seano321/media/20160509_200708_zpsudspahl1.jpg.html)

Yep, I agree. However, I'll leave the covertec on anyway, I just took the photos to show how it looks without the covertec. Plus, I don't have that type of screw without a socket head XD I'll have to look for one if I ever want to leave it without the covertec wheel

Heh, I used to have that toy too, along with the Darth Vader one.  The boxes definitely got in the way.  I don't want to think about it with those actually being metal.  I could see someone getting hurt if they actually dueled with that.  But, then I was watching a video on YouTube from a lightsaber school and one of the instructors was demonstrating something using a fairly faithful recreation of Obi-Wan's lightsaber with the Graflex clamp.  So, I guess it's something you'd get used to avoiding.  Still seems awkward to me, though.

Nice, best childhood ever :P I got used to handling the lightsaber at the neck. It wasn't comfortable, but not as bad as holding it nearer to the box. I guess people do get used to avoiding it, but wow, that still deserves merit XD