The 3.1 can withstand light to medium dueling ( done that). I've only ever damaged thin walled when swinging full force against another trained martial artist at his full force demonstrating and testing to failure their capabilities. They are excellent for light to medium dueling and contact choreography. And faster and more controllable for spinning.
The tri-crees installed by US are not brighter due to the current splitting as wired. They just fill out the blade better, largely because of the optics used. The 3.1 blocks most of the benefit and the photon blade makes up for it. So if that's a must have the v2 will indeed be better.
It's just that the 3.1 look so much better especially with the clamp or switch block (even as a dummy block) available from TCSS.
The best looking case for each is a photon blade for Luke and enhanced blue day blade for Ben. Sadly the enhanced blue only comes in thin walled.
Thanx again Firehand. We'll definitely look into that switch block.
With that and adding gold/brass to the neck part, even the V2 should look fairly screen accurate at a glance.
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