Saber Forum

Ladies and gents of SaberForum - I give you Svíkja

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/2.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/2.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/1.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/1.jpg.html)

As said in the title, it's a customized Dark Initiate V3 in Dark Violet Amethyst with a matching customized blade plug. It is my first saber, I've had it for a while now and it's finally all finished.
If you want to know anything specific about the customization you could either ask here or check out the WIP thread over here: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=21811.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=21811.0)
Here are some more pictures!

(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/3.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/3.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/5.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/5.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/7.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/7.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/6.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/6.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/4.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/4.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/8.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/8.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/9.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/9.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/10.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/10.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/12.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/12.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/11.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/11.jpg.html)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm33/yiggysaw/13.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/yiggysaw/media/13.jpg.html)

Thanks for checking it out and take care!  :D

I like it. Have a point.

Gorgeous work!

Definitely point-worthy!

Thanks, chaps!

Beautiful work! I love everything about this. Point!

Thank you very much, sir! :D

Really great work. The emitter with the shroud looks fantastic!

Thank you! I'm really satisfied with how it came out. :)

Very nice, and I especially like that the customization seems to compliment the guarded switch, which is usually off-putting on other sabers.

Why thank you! Haven't thought about that actually, but now that you mention it I do have to agree. Although I'm probably gonna send it back to add sound later and with that an illuminated AV-switch. Blue most likely, I think that suits best for the DVA. What do you think?

Hi Yiggy.  I have been going back looking at a lot of the saber customizations for ideas, and your's is still one of the best.  I think that you can keep this type of guarded switch to use as an av.  I know that for the RGB Shock with sound and FoC, that the 4th master button can be the more sleek av switch or left to match the others.  I think that with your customization, that a lit modern switch could look out of place.  How about a non-illuminated one if you want it that you could weather or a red/orange ring?  See ya and stay warm.   ;)  :D

Heey! Thank you very much, it makes me very happy! :D There are a LOT of great customizations around and I get a lot of inspiration from them. Simply put; this forum is awesome. <3
Hmm, you do have a point there. Maybe an AV-switch will look to "shiny" compared to the rest of the hilt. What kind of orange/red ring do you mean? :)
Thanks and the same to you, my friend!

Hi Yiggy.  Sorry for any confusion.  Just meant choosing instead of blue, using a red or an orange illumination ring.  All are complementary colors for your purple blade and would blend in with the hilt leather colors.  Also I was thinking that you could buff the av smooth silver metal to dull the shininess.  Yea, your Svijka is a beauty and another appreciation point for you!    8) ;D

Holy crap, that's gorgeous!  Excellent work on that Dark Initiate, I hardly recognize it as such.  I especially love that sharp looking shroud...

Hey! No problem at all bruv. :) Yeah that's another point! Probably going for a red then, I'm thinking it's a Sith saber so a red one will do good. Yeah I could do that. Or is there any way to get an AV-switch in anodized black instead of silver? That would look great! Thanks a lot! :D


Thank you very much, sir! Indeed, almost an all new hilt. :)

Hi Yiggy.  Think you would have to email Emory about the black av switch or paint it yourself perhaps with some model or vehicle touch up paint.  Also you may have to decide upon purchasing a sound pommel as the standard big open ring does not really protect the speaker from sharp object punctures or keep out dirt if using the saber actively outside.  The good news is that the pommel would add some extra length.  I hope that you factor in the shipping costs both ways with the upgrade costs and possible new pommel.  You might want to order a new sound saber and leave your silent stealth beauty alone.   ;)

Hello! I'll probably send him an email when it's time. Indeed, I was thinking that the Dark Catalyst pommel would fit best, any other ideas? :) Yeah, it's gonna be quite expensive, sending from and to Sweden isn't cheap... I'm actually planning on ordering another Dark Initiate V3 with sound in PO, silver FoC and with a red illuminated AV-switch. I'll most likely order it in February (and of course make a HEAVY customization!) and then it's gonna be a looong time before I send this one in...
Svíkja the silent stealth beauty. I like that. ;) Point for that all the suggestions and ideas!

Hi Yiggy.  Thanks for the point and being open to exploring my ideas.  The Consular pommel would be a good one for your saber as it would compliment the saber and has a stouter textured or layered look rather than the smooth tapered Dark Catalyst.  How about going with all "S" and calling Svikja the silent stealth stalker (okay, I considered slicer).   ;D

My last Dominix with sound was in GB with BR FoC.  Awesome.  Am just doing some customizations on a few sabers to make them feel more like my own.  Unfortunately all my sabers except for the Prophecy are LE versions and therefore the silver and gold tone rings can be a real pain to change or cover up.  Still can't distress or paint my sabers yet, but am almost at the point that I feel okay about it.  Got some interesting leather remnants in a bag from a craft store.  You have inspired me!   :D

Hi! Of course, your suggestions are always helpful and inspiring! I was actually going for the Consular pommel at first, then I thought that the Catalyst would work with the "sleek" look of the hilt. But with your input I'll probably go for the Consular again... x) Haha, I like it! (Silent stealth stalker super slicer)

Ah, I see. Yeah, I started the weathering on a very low level, then when the customization was almost finished I felt ok with weathering it even more. x) Sweet! Looking forward to seeing your customizations! :) That is great to hear, warms my soul! :D

Hi again.  I was referring to the Consular pommel for your Svikja if you want to change it out or use for a sound upgrade.  The Dark Catalyst pommel would go well with your description of your upcoming PO saber.  And thanks for the vote of confidence.  Just need to figure out how to post photos.  Yikes ... brain drain.   ;D

Awesome customization... point to you sir...  :)

Thanks, friend! :)

SO.....AWSOME! HOW DO YOU DO THAT? :o

Haha, thank you, sir! :D
I used Srams' guide in the customization section to make my pvc shroud, it's very helpful! And I do a lot of leather crafting and chainmail work, this time I was mostly experimenting tho. :)
There's a WIP thread over here if you'd like to see all the different stages the hilt has gone through: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=21811.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=21811.0)

Wow that is a gorgeous saber. I am always so impressed by what all the members on these forums can put together.

Thanks! Indeed, there are a lot of great crafters here on the forums, love to get some inspiration!

This one of my favorite customizations I've come across. Point to you!

Thank you, sir! Very happy to hear that! :)

I love this saber.

Yiggy, you can absolutely get a black anodized AV switch. That might blend in rather well.

Thanks dude, I'm happy you like it! :)


Yeah, I've seen that lately! Might send it back for adding that and sound some time in the future, but for now I'm planning on getting another saber. Red this time!

I would give all the money for this saber. ALL of it.

Haha, really? How much are we talkin'? ;)
Edit: Nah probably won't sell it for a while... Thinking of buying another one and customising it the same way to make a staff!

did you have to do anything special when wrapping the leather around the handle.?

Well, not really. I added some adhesive to the hilt before and also soaked the leather so that it would tighten a bit when it dried! Kind of depends on what type of leather tho.

I was thinking about picking up some leather scraps from Michaels , I would love to use a little adhesive as possible. in some of the hilts or staffs I have wrapped in the past I get decent results just wrapping as tight as I can and tucking the end back in on itself then twisting it as tight as I can go in the same direction of the wrap.

I am not a leather worker, so thanks. Do you have any recommendations as to what type of leather i may want to look into?

Ah I see, cool! Yeah that often works as well, no need to do it as complicated as me, haha! No worries at all, happy to help! Although I really don't know that much either. Just go for a leather that you like the look and feel of. Maybe not too soft or 'stretchy', as it most likely would be stretched and deformed when using the saber. Go for something sturdy. :) And if you'd like to try soaking it, go with something that hasn't been treated with a lot of stuff, oils and such. As I said, I'm no expert but this has worked for me and left me with at wrap that's really stuck to the hilt/handle of whatever I wrapped and easy to cut off, should I change my mind! I hope this helps. :)

it was very helpful.. +1

Happy to hear that, thanks! Looking forward to seeing your progress!

I have a few ideas but nothing concrete until i hold it in my hands