I've had these sabers for a while, but this is my first attempt at reviewing them.
Dominix V1LED Color - Guardian Blue
Blade Type - Ultraedge Heavy-Grade
Hilt Length - ~12.5in.
Blade Depth in Hilt - ~4in.
Additional Options on Purchase - Lathe-cut GroovesThis was my first saber purchase, May-ish '09. My hobbies tend to be expensive (and I sometimes take extended hiatuses from them), so the low price helped keep me from getting in trouble with my wife.
Thanks Ultrasabers!The Dominix does not disappoint. It's a hoss. I was a little weary about it being PVC, but the thing can take a beating & give it in return. It has plenty of room for a two-handed grip, even for large hands. I ordered it with the lathe-cut grooves thinking that it would make it a little more grippy. I haven't really noticed if it helps much, but it does make it look better.
The Guardian Blue is bright and... is blue. No surprise there. If you like blue you'll dig the GB.
The Ultraedge Heavy-Grade is extremely durable, I have no point of reference because I was so pleased with it that I haven't tried anything else. I've used it against wooden bokkens and it only suffered scuffs and a few scratches. The scuffs came out easily enough, scrubbing with a toothbrush.
As with all of the Ultrasabers line, the Dominix is a blank canvas for those who want to make it their own. I added a few thick o-rings near the emitter because I kept scraping my knuckle on it.
Pros: Cheap, Durable, Customization
Cons: Edge on emitter is a little sharp,
(not really a con, but with the V2 out for pretty cheap as well; you'd do well to splurge on a metal hilt)pic with flash
pic without flash
obligatory blade picture
Liberator V2.1LED Color - Sun Rider's Destiny
Blade Type - Ultraedge Heavy-Grade
Hilt Length - ~11.5in.
Blade Depth in Hilt - ~1.5in.I purchased this saber with the intention of taking it with me to Celebration V, but ended up leaving it at home after considering the worst-case scenarios for travel by air. Also, it looks friggin' cool.
The Liberator is very comfortable to hold and duel with, one or two-handed. The edges on the cuts above & below the concave were pretty sharp, but became a non-problem when I put some thin o-rings in them. The saber is quick & pretty well balanced with the weighted pommel. I haven't had a problem with the blade wobbling, as I saw another reviewer had. The blade fits snug and sturdy. It gives a little more reach since the blade isn't as far into the hilt as the Dominix.
I was a little disappointed with the SRD at first, expecting it to be more turquoise after looking at as many pictures as I could find, but the cyan quickly grew on me and now I dig it. It is very bright and definitely eye-catching.
The Ultraedge Heavy looks great with the SRD as well.
I did a little more customizing with this one. In addition to throwing on some o-rings, I painted the "grip" part with glossy black spray enamel and added a kobold d-ring from TCSS... which if anyone has experience with one and could tell me what size screw it needs, I'd be most-appreciative (couldn't find a fit at local Lowes).
Pros: Comfortable, Affordable, Customization (even though it looks good out-of-the-box)
Cons: ... Can't combine with V2.2 for a staff
pic with flash
pic without flash
obligatory blade picture
Side-by-side size comparison of Dominix v. Liberator
Side-by-side comparison of Guardian Blue v. Sun Rider's Destiny
