Saber Forum

This is my review of the Azure and Crimson Menace lightsabers.  I've seen a lot of pictures and reviews of the other versions of the Menace, but only one other review of the Azure Menace, so I want to present both the Azure and Crimson Menaces to you here.  I bought these as my entries into the UltraSabers Spring Raffle.

Both of these are four channel (RGBW) Emerald sabers with Obsidian sound and 36" standard UltraEdge blades.  I wanted a more light side motif, so I ordered them with the silver underlay and the crimson, silver, and azure knurled knobs.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%201_zpsxjihdnfu.jpg?t=1430497467)

The sabers were delivered with standard black covertec wheels, but I changed them to silver.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%202_zpsfwicdvbf.jpg?t=1430497836)

The emitter window sleeves over the underlay and the pommels appear to be a slightly lighter color shade than the rest of the hilt.  I think that may be because the window sleeves and pommels were anodized at a different time and in a different anodizing bath than the one used for the rest of the hilt.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%203_zpscr3l8ys2.jpg?t=1430497933)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%204_zps95ryyczv.jpg?t=1430498187)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%205_zpsjqhpmjrg.jpg?t=1430498223)

The anodized color of these hilts appears to be very durable.  Unlike a paint coating, these anodized coatings can't be scratched off easily with a fingernail or other object.  I used a small pointed steel pick on the inside surface of one of the pommels, and it required a very aggressive effort to scratch the surface.  So if any of you have had concerns about the color easily scratching, chipping, or flaking off, don't be concerned about it any longer.  These colors are so very durable and attractive, I would like to encourage UltraSabers to produce a green hilt.

The sabers were ordered and delivered with Bane's Heart on the Crimson Menace and Arctic Blue on the Azure Menace.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Azure%20AB%20Crimson%20BH%202_zpstdyao7cc.jpg?t=1430500347)

Here, the Crimson Menace is Arctic Blue, and the Azure Menace is Bane's Heart.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Azure%20BH%20Crimson%20AB_zpsng7qremo.jpg?t=1430500524)

Here, both of them are Sentinel Yellow.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Azure%20and%20Crimson%20Sentinel%20Yellow_zpshcrjozut.jpg?t=1430500577)

Here, both of them are Consular Green.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Azure%20and%20Crimson%20Consular%20Green_zpsqofmejjp.jpg?t=1430500635)

Here, both of them are Fire Orange.
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Azure%20and%20Crimson%20Fire%20Orange_zpsrzgixera.jpg?t=1430500685)

Now I want to present the Azure and Crimson Menace staff.  Most of you who have purchased two Menaces to make a staff have done so in order to reproduce Darth Maul's staff.  I wanted to create something different,  a staff for the light side.  With 24" blades of Adegan Silver (100% Emerald White) and patriotic red, white, and blue colors, this staff is one that a well known Avenger would undoubtedly be proud to wield.  Without further ado, I present to you, the Captain America Lightsaber Staff!

(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%20Staff%201_zpsxi4sblhs.jpg?t=1430498782)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%20Staff%208_zpsehqfx9kq.jpg?t=1430499396)
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/cstoehr/Menace%20Staff%2014_zpswmbh9ama.jpg)

Nice!

The only thing I would personally do different - when using it as a Staff, I think it would look great if you changed all of the Knurled Screws on there to a polished stainless - for added cohesiveness throughout with the Vented Coupler you have there in the center of the staff.

Kind of tie it all together!   ;)

Super good review cstoehr.  Really like the color combination.  Looks sharp and distinctive.  Happy May the 4th and well deserved point.  :o

I ended up with the dark Menace but still want a Crimson one.  :)

You'll like the Crimson Menace as much or more than the black one.  Think of the Crimson Menace as eye-candy in a sea of silver and black hilts.  I find it refreshing to look at my collection and see those spots of red and blue color amidst all the silver and black shades.

Really nice hilts and looking saber. I love the pic with the doubled hilt in blue and red looks like the french flag lol.
Maybe that woudld be my next purchase but in shiny silver. As the hilt and especially the emitter looks " spining " friendly to me.

Excellent review and pics cstoehr..... another point for you my friend  :)

Would be great for US to do a green anodised hilt...... or even purple too  :o  (they've done some limited runs in the past I believe, hopefully they'll do more one day soon).....

Thanks, we can always hope for the green and purple hilts.  They would look cool!

Super quality review and a job well done.  It's good learning for us when you get a new US cstoehr and you have some of the finest pics on the forums.  +1

"The emitter window sleeves over the underlay and the pommels appear to be a slightly lighter color shade than the rest of the hilt.  I think that may be because the window sleeves and pommels were anodized at a different time and in a different anodizing bath than the one used for the rest of the hilt."

Funny thing; I noticed this weekend that the Pommel on my Crimson Scorpion was a different shade of Red, much like you point out about the Menace in your review.

I noticed that the sheen on it was flatter than the Body and it felt different to the touch as well - not quite as smooth as the rest of the Hilt.

I came to the conclusion it's not likely different baths but either a different grade of aluminum or they weren't given a polish to the degree the Bodies were prior to anodizing.  I think either would result in it feeling & looking different.

If anybody knows more about this - please chime in!  That's my best guess, but we can't rule out the different anodizing baths either.