Interesting. As much as I'm please with the hilt, I'm not sure I'd rank any of those that high. I like sabers with fiddly bits like windows, choke points, etc. The final crown jewel of my collection is going to be a Crimson Scorpion, for example.
Is it the smoothness of those that appeals to you?
I have all of the sabers I listed above (both versions of the DSI, and the Dark Liberator), as well as a couple of Sentinels, Dark Apprentices, a Dark Initiate v4, a Dominix v3, and a Dark War Glaive (as well as a Mantis and Archon v3.1, but we don't talk about those).
So yes, my criteria for sabers is comfort and functionality in combat first, and it looking pretty... well never.
Choke points are well and good, as long as they're comfortable, which is why I greatly prefer the Dominx/Aeon/Initiate v3's over the v4 and v5 versions.
Windows I can take or leave, I'm not against them, but I don't go out of my way to get them either. The sabers I have with windows (Sentinels) I got in grab bags/mystery boxes.
Pretty much all other "doodads" like screws, knobs, covertec wheels, etc. I avoid as they get in the way of my hands. Which means I'll never intentionally get a saber that has a mandatory covertec wheel (but I'm not going to turn one down if I win it in a raffle or get it in a mystery box either).
I like the DSI (and as I've said in other threads, I GREATLY prefer the version without grooves) because of it's simplicity of design with a touch of style from the slanted emitter and it's ease and comfort in handling (and it does spin great). It was also the first saber I ever purchased.
I would probably have never picked the Liberator on my own, but I got one as a grab bag and loved it so much that I immediately ordered a Dark version, Obsidian v4 sound, Hot Pink LED.
And yes, I know the Dark War Glaive stands out on that list because of the claws. But I use it on a single yari extension, basically a nagamaki, so the claws are much less of a handling issue. And it actually is quite comfortable just as a saber.
As for your Scorpion pick... it's a pretty saber, but I'd never buy one, pretty much for the reasons above. I'd have to remove the claw and replace the pommel with a much simpler one that didn't poke my hand holding the saber, and by then half of what makes the Scorpion what it is would be gone. Plus it comes standard with a covertec wheel so that also rules it out.
Of course all of the above is only my opinion and personal tastes. You should absolutely get what you want and like, and be happy with it. And it illustrates one of the great things about US, they have a saber for pretty much everyone's tastes.
