Autumn Raffle 2016 2nd Place Prize Review: The Arbiter

[KraytDragonPearl]

Hello Saber Forum Family

As many of you know we recently had the Autum Raffle and I won a 2nd place prize which just happened to be an Obsidian V3 Aribiter in Guardian Blue.

I had seen the Arbiter on the US site and really had no desire to ever own one.  It seemed kinda plain and boring.  So it was a fully MHS hilt, who cares!  I wasn’t impressed with what I saw and knew it would never make it into my collection.   

I have to be completely honest here.  I was kinda disappointed when it came out of the box.  I had seen many really nice prizes handed out and I felt that I kinda got messed over with my prize. (I know it was a prize and I didn’t pay for it, but I still felt that I had the right to be disappointed) As soon as I saw it I was trying to figure out a way to sell it off and buy something else. 

However,  I have come to realize that this saber has very quickly made its way to my top  dueling saber and my top five sabers over all.  I never realized how much I was going to love this saber, until I started to handle it.  (Be quiet Haz and let me finish what Im saying!)    Its slim-lined and sleek (only 1.45” diameter) and has a very nice length (14” long) for two handed dueling.  Its plain looking hilt actually makes it extremely comfortable for dueling.  There is no lack of areas to grip the saber and because its so long its perfect for two handed use.

So lets discuss the attributes of the Arbiter here:

General knowledge its 14” long, 1.45” diameter, it weighs 1 lb 2 oz (with the Obsidian V3 card in the hilt), and the blade sits in the emitter at 2.25”.

As I mentioned earlier, the length of the hilt is perfect for two handed dueling, and because of the saber weighing at just over 1 pound, it seems like you can duel for a considerably longer length of time.  The diameter is just right and doesn’t feel like your holding a zucchini in your hands.  I have to say that with the blade sitting in as far as it does, even with a 32” HG blade its still well balanced and easy to maneuver.

The grenade handle just below the choke is well placed and allows for a solid grip even when it gets a little bit sweaty.  With the pommel being just slightly bigger than the hilt it allows for a sweet spot for my off hand. 

I know it sounds cheesy and kinda corny, but I really have to express my gratitude to US for giving me this really unexpected hilt.  I never would have gotten this saber on my own, but Im glad I did get it.  I have been surprised by this saber in many ways and I am so in love with this saber.   

Here are some pics of the saber by itself:





Here are some pics of the Arbiter with a different emitter and pommels:













So in the long run I have decided that I really love this saber and wouldn't trade/sell it for anything.  Anyone who is debating on getting this saber or not, Do Not Hesitate! Get it and trust me you will not regret it.  I'm really glad I got it and would love to get another one.  It would make an awesome staff. 

Feel free to ask questions and comment on whatever you want.  I will even take the criticism of my bad attitude about the free Awesome saber that I got. 

Love you guys and Love US products, Especially my brand new Arbiter.    

[Jediseth]

That same experience happened to me,but with a different saber. Sometimes we don't think we will like something until we give it a try.

[Jeadus Teal]

Hello Saber Forum Family

As many of you know we recently had the Autum Raffle and I won a 2nd place prize which just happened to be an Obsidian V3 Aribiter in Guardian Blue.

I had seen the Arbiter on the US site and really had no desire to ever own one.  It seemed kinda plain and boring.  So it was a fully MHS hilt, who cares!  I wasn’t impressed with what I saw and knew it would never make it into my collection.  

I have to be completely honest here.  I was kinda disappointed when it came out of the box.  I had seen many really nice prizes handed out and I felt that I kinda got messed over with my prize. (I know it was a prize and I didn’t pay for it, but I still felt that I had the right to be disappointed) As soon as I saw it I was trying to figure out a way to sell it off and buy something else.  

However,  I have come to realize that this saber has very quickly made its way to my top  dueling saber and my top five sabers over all.  I never realized how much I was going to love this saber, until I started to handle it.  (Be quiet Haz and let me finish what Im saying!)    Its slim-lined and sleek (only 1.45” diameter) and has a very nice length (14” long) for two handed dueling.  Its plain looking hilt actually makes it extremely comfortable for dueling.  There is no lack of areas to grip the saber and because its so long its perfect for two handed use.

So lets discuss the attributes of the Arbiter here:

General knowledge its 14” long, 1.45” diameter, it weighs 1 lb 2 oz (with the Obsidian V3 card in the hilt), and the blade sits in the emitter at 2.25”.

As I mentioned earlier, the length of the hilt is perfect for two handed dueling, and because of the saber weighing at just over 1 pound, it seems like you can duel for a considerably longer length of time.  The diameter is just right and doesn’t feel like your holding a zucchini in your hands.  I have to say that with the blade sitting in as far as it does, even with a 32” HG blade its still well balanced and easy to maneuver.

The grenade handle just below the choke is well placed and allows for a solid grip even when it gets a little bit sweaty.  With the pommel being just slightly bigger than the hilt it allows for a sweet spot for my off hand.  

I know it sounds cheesy and kinda corny, but I really have to express my gratitude to US for giving me this really unexpected hilt.  I never would have gotten this saber on my own, but Im glad I did get it.  I have been surprised by this saber in many ways and I am so in love with this saber.  

Here are some pics of the saber by itself:





Here are some pics of the Arbiter with a different emitter and pommels:













So in the long run I have decided that I really love this saber and wouldn't trade/sell it for anything.  Anyone who is debating on getting this saber or not, Do Not Hesitate! Get it and trust me you will not regret it.  I'm really glad I got it and would love to get another one.  It would make an awesome staff.  

Feel free to ask questions and comment on whatever you want.  I will even take the criticism of my bad attitude about the free Awesome saber that I got.  

Love you guys and Love US products, Especially my brand new Arbiter.    

Very nice indeed KraytDragonPearl. I ended up using the Manticore Emitters on my Dark Arbiters as well.



I also like the addition of the Lost Grey Pommel and the Manticore Emitter added to your Arbiter.

[Lord Bladewraith]

This is good stuff, KDP. Thanks for writing this up about your Arbiter. I think your honesty was very cool, and I enjoyed reading about your experience with this new saber quite a bit. I think the grenade grip is particularly appealing to me. With your review I can't wait to get one now.

[Lord Japarco]

I was waiting for you or someone else to make an Arbiter review. Thanks for sharing your experience and the pics. +1

[hazard502]

LOL . . . good stuff!  Like others I value your opinion so this is helpful.  I'm still so - so with this hilt, and like LB said your honesty is refreshing and cuts through clutter and in the end actually adds appeal to the Arbiter.  Points for the nice pics and review.

[JediApprenticeChris37]

Hello Saber Forum Family

As many of you know we recently had the Autum Raffle and I won a 2nd place prize which just happened to be an Obsidian V3 Aribiter in Guardian Blue.

I had seen the Arbiter on the US site and really had no desire to ever own one.  It seemed kinda plain and boring.  So it was a fully MHS hilt, who cares!  I wasn’t impressed with what I saw and knew it would never make it into my collection.   

I have to be completely honest here.  I was kinda disappointed when it came out of the box.  I had seen many really nice prizes handed out and I felt that I kinda got messed over with my prize. (I know it was a prize and I didn’t pay for it, but I still felt that I had the right to be disappointed) As soon as I saw it I was trying to figure out a way to sell it off and buy something else. 

However,  I have come to realize that this saber has very quickly made its way to my top  dueling saber and my top five sabers over all.  I never realized how much I was going to love this saber, until I started to handle it.  (Be quiet Haz and let me finish what Im saying!)    Its slim-lined and sleek (only 1.45” diameter) and has a very nice length (14” long) for two handed dueling.  Its plain looking hilt actually makes it extremely comfortable for dueling.  There is no lack of areas to grip the saber and because its so long its perfect for two handed use.

So lets discuss the attributes of the Arbiter here:

General knowledge its 14” long, 1.45” diameter, it weighs 1 lb 2 oz (with the Obsidian V3 card in the hilt), and the blade sits in the emitter at 2.25”.

As I mentioned earlier, the length of the hilt is perfect for two handed dueling, and because of the saber weighing at just over 1 pound, it seems like you can duel for a considerably longer length of time.  The diameter is just right and doesn’t feel like your holding a zucchini in your hands.  I have to say that with the blade sitting in as far as it does, even with a 32” HG blade its still well balanced and easy to maneuver.

The grenade handle just below the choke is well placed and allows for a solid grip even when it gets a little bit sweaty.  With the pommel being just slightly bigger than the hilt it allows for a sweet spot for my off hand. 

I know it sounds cheesy and kinda corny, but I really have to express my gratitude to US for giving me this really unexpected hilt.  I never would have gotten this saber on my own, but Im glad I did get it.  I have been surprised by this saber in many ways and I am so in love with this saber.   

Here are some pics of the saber by itself:





Here are some pics of the Arbiter with a different emitter and pommels:













So in the long run I have decided that I really love this saber and wouldn't trade/sell it for anything.  Anyone who is debating on getting this saber or not, Do Not Hesitate! Get it and trust me you will not regret it.  I'm really glad I got it and would love to get another one.  It would make an awesome staff. 

Feel free to ask questions and comment on whatever you want.  I will even take the criticism of my bad attitude about the free Awesome saber that I got. 

Love you guys and Love US products, Especially my brand new Arbiter.    

amazing

[Landen Se-Sentien]

Thanks for the review and all the pictures of the different emitter/hilt/pommel combos. Point well deserved.

Isn't it amazing how the simplest designs are so comfortable and user friendly?

[KraytDragonPearl]

Thanks for all the feed back everyone.  I have to say that the Manticore Emitter and regular Arbiter pommel is probably the most comfortable combination.  Im not sure if you all noticed but I took a pic of the Manticore emitter as the emitter and the Arbiter Emitter as the pommel.  It was a weird combination but I kinda liked it as well.  Its actually pic #4 in the lineup.   

[Lord Japarco]

Send it in for QD when you can, because you wont be able to remove the neck piece if you don't. Removing the neck will give you a load of posibilities to customize the looks of the hilt and change its length if you wanted to.

[Corwyn VonBeck]

Nice one KDP!

Thanks for that info Lord Japarco... I think I'm just going to have to play it safe  and add QDs to anything I get, just in case of a scenario like this!

[Lord Bladewraith]

Thanks again for the great review! You should get some extra rewards points from US, because your review helped me make up my mind and I ordered one myself tonight 

[Lord Canterbury]

Point for the Review!

I'm really starting to appreciate this one more & more.  I've been thinking about maybe someday doing a Dark Arbiter Staff with shorter blades to compensate for the extra long hilts.

Also totally love that the grenade grip is its own MHS piece.  With connectors on the LED unit that would make it easy to move around . . . though I guess you would likewise need connectors with plenty of slack on the wires to use it on the other hilt(s).

Wonder what hilts that piece would work well with . . .

[Corwyn VonBeck]

Renegade, with its grenade grip lower section.....
I haz plans

[hazard502]

Point for the Review!

I'm really starting to appreciate this one more & more.  I've been thinking about maybe someday doing a Dark Arbiter Staff with shorter blades to compensate for the extra long hilts.

Also totally love that the grenade grip is its own MHS piece.  With connectors on the LED unit that would make it easy to move around . . . though I guess you would likewise need connectors with plenty of slack on the wires to use it on the other hilt(s).

Wonder what hilts that piece would work well with . . .

I bought that piece from the "other guys" and I can confirm (as I'm sure KDP would) it's beautiful. But it's long on its own and over-all kills the proportions of a lot of hilts I've tried it with.

I want a home for it so bad but so far haven't found the right fit.