Saber Forum

  I'm thinking about getting the iniate with an iniate blade. The choices in length are 24, 32 and 36.

   My question is are lengths provide total length or the length that actually comes out of the hilt.

   How durable are the mid grade blades? I know tou can't super slam it but how much tensile strength like in pounds or something.

   How thick are the walls and what are the ranges in diameters.

I've no idea about the latter two questions, but as for the first: the lengths provided are the actual length. If you order a 24" blade it'll be 24" when measured without a hilt.

As far as I know, the diameter is 1 inch for both kinds of blades, from what I've heard from other members heavy grade blades are twice as thick as midgrade ones but I can't confirm (I've heavy-grade only).

All of the blades are 1 inch in diameter.  The blade length is the overall length of the blade.  Most hilts seat about 2 inches to 3 inches of blade.  The initiates and apprentice models generally seat about 2" of blade, leaving about 22" visible.

For myself: I have found 32" to be very comfortable for shorter hilts.   I even like them in my Aeons, they're more maneuverable and I'm less likely to actually hit furniture and light fixtures with my sabers in the house with the shorter blades.  :-)  The 36" blades are longer, obviously, so you get a little more reach, but its really a toss-up which ones are better for dueling.  For spinning, the 32" are ideal.

For durability - the mid-grade blades are very durable.  I haven't run into much they can't handle, even light-to-mid contact sparring.  They do bend some on impact during contact dueling, however, and if you hit something hard enough you can damage them.  The heavy-grade blades will stand up to full contact with wooden bokken and other martial arts practice gear no problem, also good against other HG blades, but they are noticeably heavier and slower.  For "show", choreographed dueling, and spinning I'd use the 32" blades in mid-grade weight myself.

Forgot the wall thicknesses.  Mid-grade are 1/8" thick, the HG blades are 1/4" thick.

I use a 36" mid grade on my Initiate V2. I originally ordered it as a grab bag with a heavy grade, but the HG blade I found to be very awkward with that hilt. The hilt is too light, so it feels way too blade heavy for my taste.

 Its funny you mention wooden bokken. Me and friends use to duel with them and we started out with a lot of bruises. I was hoping to find a blade that durable. Not that intend to use it with one or as one.

A HG blade is at LEAST as durable as a wooden bokken or other practice sword or staff.  I've also contact-sparred in staff mode with two 24" HG initiate blades against a bo staff made of waxwood.  Full contact, full power, full speed.  No breaks or anything, though there were some knicks on both afterward...

Here's some Initiates with 16 - 36 inch blades.   :)



(http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah294/deeweg/lightsabers/0fc769a9-28c2-4b8b-b212-c7c854b0c5f8_zpsitmi6wit.jpg) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/deeweg/media/lightsabers/0fc769a9-28c2-4b8b-b212-c7c854b0c5f8_zpsitmi6wit.jpg.html)


(http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah294/deeweg/lightsabers/lightsabers%20009_zpskdh2pf4c.jpg) (http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/deeweg/media/lightsabers/lightsabers%20009_zpskdh2pf4c.jpg.html)

1 inch blades for all choices, and I think it'd probably be good with a 32 inch blade. Haven't gotten an Initiate saber of either kind nor with that set up yet so I couldn't really help much :P I need to get me one though for sure

There's a contradiction here........

   


UltraEdge blades provide a thick, bright blade due to the white polycarbonate tube.  The white polycarbonate creates a FULLER blade look but isn't as bright as non-Ultraedge blades.

Mid-grade blades are an excellent all around choice. They are lightweight and allow the true color of the LED through at maximum brightness; however, they're not as thick as the Heavy grade blades and are not meant for full contact dueling.

Heavy Grade & Ultraedge Heavy Grade blades literally weigh twice as much as the mid-grade blades. They do sacrifice brightness in exchange for brutal strength. These are the recommended blade types for full contact dueling.

So if I get the heavy grade which will be brighter the ultra edge or regular heavy grade

All my blades are heavy grade.

Ultraedge brings the light to the outer edge of the tube, making a fuller thicker blade with no 'light in a tube' look. It can white out the color a bit in a well lit room. Daylight washes out clear or ultraedge blades in my experience. I have both clear and ultraedge in heavy grade, and I am impressed with the standard red in both.

If brightness is a concern, go with tri cree in your chosen color. Tri cree loses flash on clash options, but I would not fear heavy grade or ultraedge dimming any tri cree color.

I have a tri cree adegan silver. Color filters significantly dim the colors, and a clear blade becomes a must for those. But my standard red is impressive in either, and I usually use the ultraedge for it.