Here we go. I got over the initial excitement a little and remembered to charge the camera battery.
Starting with the free initiate. My daughter wanted to tell what she thought of it herself since I decided to give it to her.
http://youtu.be/Dh6GSL9ZovgNow for the fun. I was really surprised at the size and the weight of these things. When the box arrived I kind of thought they were shipped separately even thought it said one shipment because I was expecting them to be heavier. The balance on both the Scorpion and the Reaper falls withing an inch of the forward grip area. both of these are very quick for me even when using them single handed.
Now for the pics. I uploaded many more pics on my Flickr and each has my thoughts in the description but here are the main ones.
Here are all 3 together.
All 3 by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
The one with the ultraedge blade is the mid-weight but the one with the standard blade is heavy weight. I don't really notice the actual physical weight difference but I can feel the give more when the heavy-grade strikes because there is more weight in the flex of it. The next two shots were taken in rapid fire mode of the camera. I did not change the color of my Emerald driver in the Azure Reaper. That shows how my blade pulse is set with the red blue pulse colors.
All 3 by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
All 3 by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Fae loves the color of her initiate:
IMG_6927 by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
And I like the two retention screws to be sure the blade wont go flying when she gets a little wild:
IMG_6924 by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Now onto the Azure Reaper. As I said it was even bigger than I anticipated. I knew the dimensions but until you hold one its hard to fully grasp. The neck part was really wide but I have big hands so it can be used as a grip area. It is easier to maneuver gripping the main body though.
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
The claws have a very nice polished finish and the blue anodizing looks nice and feels good. It is kind of a satin like finish and reduces the slickness a full polish could have. Since the parts are obviously anodized separately there is some color variation between the pommel and emitter pieces and the body pieces.
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
The screws that hold the emitter in place at the right angle pull it tight enough to help retain the blade even thought they do not go all of the way through to the blade.
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Again some rapid fire pics of my "Captain America" light scheme including the FoC just as the white lit, Extra bright. I love the windows.
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Azure Reaper w/ Obsidian Sound and Emerald Driver by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Now for the Crimson Scorpion. Honestly I never considered buying one of these until it happened. I wasn't a fan of the claw at all. I got it only because when the time arrived to make my order it was on the deal of the day. I am so glad it was. This is actually my favorite of the two. I like the size the ridges in it for grip points and the placement of the switch versus all the other parts. I did not get Emerald in this and even though I do live the Consular green in it I kind of wish I had got it in emerald just for a little more variety. I am sure I will get another one at some point though and that will likely have Emerald.
Crimson Scorpion w/ Obsidian Sound by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Crimson Scorpion w/ Obsidian Sound by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Once I saw the claw in person I was hooked. The proportions to the hilt really make it a more complete piece with the claw.
Crimson Scorpion w/ Obsidian Sound by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
The details created by using a shroud with cutouts over and etched do add a lot to this saber both looking good and a little more grip point.
Crimson Scorpion w/ Obsidian Sound by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
Again there is a slight variation in the color between the pommel and the body due to the anodizing taking differently. The color different is hard to see but the handle has a bit more gloss to it than the pommel. Notice the hard reflection on the hilt next to the soft one on the pommel. Doesn't hurt anything, it's just there.
Crimson Scorpion w/ Obsidian Sound by
Firehand10k, on Flickr
I have opened them up and looked at the wiring and played with the Emerald driver and the Obsidian sound board a little. I'm still trying to figure out other fonts for it. The sound is great on both. Not too loud unless I hold it pointed toward me ear but loud enough to annoy my wife.
Of course the most important part - play time. We bashed and crashed for quite a while. Ended up popping the tip off the mid-grade blade but the rest stayed in place. It is fixed with hot glue and no more trouble since. These are so much lighter and safer than the wood swords I'm used to. Even the heavy-grade blade gives way more than oak or hickory. I would never let my daughter swing around a wooden sword the way she does these. She still gets her fingers in the way using the wrong sort of blocking sometimes. and after a few tears I ask if she's hurt or wants to keep going. I have to move very quick when she yells, "Keep going!" and swings at the same time. And no I don't remotely swing as hard as she does when playing with her.
http://youtu.be/fN0mxdLchqwhttp://youtu.be/3CfZVgm_SPYI like the way the red/blue pulse looks in the video. Like I have different colors up each side of the blade.
She says the red/blue pulse gives her a headache and told me I should only use my Scorpion when fighting her.
Thanks for looking.