Getting a saber for my 12y/o son...

[LoogieBob]

I'm looking at the Manticore with the Obsidian v4, charging port, best battery/charger setup possible, flash on clash, pretty much the whole enchilada.
Maybe extended pommel.   

Our first saber!  We have the toy versions that have been surprisingly durable.

Is the Manticore reasonably comfortable to wield?  I want something that is very nice looking, but He may want to duel a bit, and I don't want the hilt to tear up his hands.

Regarding colors: I've asked him what he likes.  Red, yellow...didn't seem thrilled by blue, didn't mention green.  Thought Bane's red was interesting.  I admit that I lean toward the primary colors such as red (super cool color) blue, green.  I find the yellow and silver to be a bit...generic looking.
He does like some of the newer characters on his xbox games, and gravitates toward the Sith a bit.
Any comment on color choice? 

And finally: any recommendations regarding the build would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

[JediMasterJay]

If he gravitates toward the sith, I would definitely go with red. The Ultrasabers red is so vibrant, and I think your son would love it. As for the Manticore, I can't speak to it because I don't have one, but it is definitely a gorgeous saber. Hope he loves it! Tell us which saber you decide to get when you end up ordering. 

[Illyiss]

The Manticore is light, and smooth, especially with an AV switch instead of the guarded switch.  I would highly recommend it.

[Taegin Roan]

The Manticore is light, and smooth, especially with an AV switch instead of the guarded switch.  I would highly recommend it.

I don't have a Manticore (though I want one), I just popped in to say hello to Illyiss. Haven't seen you in a while.

[Malik Thanewulf]

I love my Manticore. Feels good in your hands. The emmitter is very cool. Solid choice.

Ultrasabers Manticore https://imgur.com/gallery/0Nvf4EB

[Malik Thanewulf]

I love my Manticore. Feels good in your hands. The emmitter is very cool. Solid choice.

Ultrasabers Manticore https://imgur.com/gallery/0Nvf4EB

[Illyiss]

I don't have a Manticore (though I want one), I just popped in to say hello to Illyiss. Haven't seen you in a while.

Hello to you as well good sir.  It has been a minute, life has been, well, life.  LOL

[Jedi_Phoenix]

Welcome to the club...

I recently bought a Manticore for one of my sons as a Christmas gift, and I can definitely recommend it as a comfortable saber to handle.  If you get a non-illuminated AV switch instead of the guarded switch, there'll be nothing sticking out on the hilt that will chafe his hands.  Although I do recommend getting gloves if he might be doing any type of dueling, just to protect his hands.

[LoogieBob]

Excellent info, thanks!
Medium blade, 32" I think.
Possibly the non-illuminated AV switch.

I'm thinking Savior is in the running.  I know from my iaido training that a longer hilt balances against the blade, provides additional leverage and allows multiple hand positions.
Plus it looks slim and sexy (in a black widow way).

Dark Sentinel v5 hasa a kind of a wicked simplicity.

Does the Converted wheel get in the way?  I assume it is easily removable.  I think Nate would like to do some dueling, at some point.  I can get a heavier blade if he really gets into it.

Bob

[JediMasterJay]

I have an Azure Savior, and I highly recommend it. It is my favorite saber! Many of the kids in my neighborhood love to play with it, and the weight is very light compared to most. I would definitely recommend the 32" blade as well! Can't wait to hear what you decide!

[LoogieBob]

I intend to order the Saber this weekend.

Slight change in direction.

I definitely want him to have something that would allow him to duel and learn spins etc.
He really digs canon or lore, so a saber that has some history would be cool.

So my focus is on a saber that is nicely balanced, reasonably comfortable, and just plain enough to allow stunts...and has history.

The Savior is in the running, since I stumbled upon info here that it is Revan's saber.

Are there any others to consider? 

Many thanks,
Boob

The Archon looks like a great option, but not sure about canon with that one.

[Malik Thanewulf]

I've heard the Prophecy V3 is a great choice. Extremely comfortable, great for spinning and dueling. Resembles a Graflex so there's your history.

[nunya]

check on the price difference to upgrade the board to diamond - it allows more flexibility for color choices and sound options now and down the road when tastes change.
it is fun to play with the options and make something unique.
Check for videos posted on the main site and around the magic electronic pipes world.

[DarthRondoudou]

I intend to order the Saber this weekend.

Slight change in direction.

I definitely want him to have something that would allow him to duel and learn spins etc.
He really digs canon or lore, so a saber that has some history would be cool.

So my focus is on a saber that is nicely balanced, reasonably comfortable, and just plain enough to allow stunts...and has history.

The Savior is in the running, since I stumbled upon info here that it is Revan's saber.

Are there any others to consider? 

Many thanks,
Boob

The Archon looks like a great option, but not sure about canon with that one.

I guess it depends how accurate you want the "history" to be =).
The link below lists sabers and their owners/inspiration.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=44459.msg755373#msg755373
As far as I am concerned the most accurate are :
* The savior (Revan) - +1 "sithy" lightsaber
* The butcher (Revan) - keep in mind it's probably note the easiest one to spin or spar with for a young man. +1 "sithy" lightsaber
* The Empress (Rey at the end of "disey's EP9") - I love the saber, hate the character ^^'
* The Consular (Qui-Gon Jinn) - it's quite ressembling but it lacks the red button and the deep groves on the hilt.
* The Guardian (Obi Wan Kenobi ep 1/2) - quite accurate but bigger.
* The Menace (Darth Maul) - this one seems pretty accurate to me. And it seems easy enough to wield. And +1 for being a sith lightsaber =D
* Lost Grey/Fulcrum (Ahsoka)
* Dorinian - (Plo Koon)
* Emperor's Hand (Mara Jade) - accurate except for the activation box placement. It's a "sithy" lightsaber
* The Spectre (Kanan Jarus)
* Grand Master (Satele Shan)

The electrum wind is quite obvious in his inspiration, so are the graflex or chosen one, but they are not as accurate as the others if that's important to you.

[For Tyeth]

Hi LoogieBob,

I would just add to DarthRondoudou's great info that the Qui-Gon Jinn Consular has a nice shroud which is removeable so you have a "naked" all black hilt. This "slims" the saber down a little and creates a nice choke point/gripping area near the emitter for doing spinning. You would have to swap the part on and off but you can see how it's done in this video by Emory...(fast forward to the 1min mark)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrhlAyeZ_kc" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrhlAyeZ_kc</a>

Might be something to consider. Good luck finding your saber.