Saber Forum

Well, I got my first Ultra Saber today.  I ordered a grab bag on Thursday.  With the US turnaround, I had my FedEx tracking number on Friday.  Since I paid for 2 (week) day shipping, I got it today.  Now, for some reason, and this is by no means Ultra Sabers' fault, the package sat in a warehouse a few miles from where I live all day yesterday.  Since it arrived there Sunday night, I see no reason for it to have not been delivered yesterday.  But, that's delivery companies for you.  I stopped trying to figure them out a long time ago.  So, it arrived today, while I was at work (of course.)  So, waiting was torture.  But, I got home and that long box was waiting for me.

I was extremely pleased when I pulled out an Initiate V4 LE with the windowed emitter.  It's absolutely beautiful.  I love the gold accents on the silver finish.

(https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le01.jpg?w=400) (https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le01.jpg)
(click on images to enlarge)

(https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le02.jpg?w=400) (https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le02.jpg)

As you can see, the hilt has a silver non lighted AV switch.  I opted for the heavy grade blade so I can duel with it.  Here she is all lit up.

(https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le03.jpg?w=400) (https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le03.jpg)

(https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le04.jpg?w=400) (https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le04.jpg)

(https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le05.jpg?w=400) (https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le05.jpg)

As you can see, it came with blazing red LEDs.  (it looks yellow-orange on my camera, but it's very red in person)  That's not necessarily the color I would have picked, but the whole point of a grab bag is to not pick things.  So, I let them pick the color of the LEDs, so there's no point in complaining.  Besides, I'll be more selective with my next purchase.  I may also order some color discs and fiddle with the color.

Anyway, I'm pleased as punch with this beauty.  All said, with the LE finish, non lit silver AV switch, 36" heavy grade blade and windowed emitter, this setup would cost $104.99.  I got it for $70.  It's got a great weight to it, it's really nice for spinning.  I'm a very novice spinner, but I did some simple backwards spins and it spins effortlessly.  I'm looking forward to dueling, though I need to learn to do that too.  :D  I'll probably add a longer pommel to my next order, which I'm planning to order during the May the Fourth promo.  (I want a T-shirt and blade plug ;))  I'm sure to be an Ultra Sabers junkie now.  I'd like a longer pommel (maybe a Shock LE to go with the them of the saber or a Catalyst) to give it more length for two handed wielding.  I'll probably also add a D-ring for hanging it from a belt, since it didn't come with a covertec wheel.

Hey ya scifidude79!

Great looking saber.  Nice score. ;)

I'm reading a lot of "shipping nightmares" lately - not a comfort. O_o

When you order your next saber, I'd suggest looking at either the Sentinels or Aeons for two hands. I have a Dark Sentinel, and it's extremely comfortable.

I can't say anything bad about BR...lol

Way to go! +1

Thanks Lord Rapine.  ;D

Yeah, I see you like the blood red.  Though, that's understandable, as you obviously are a Sith.  I don't really identify as one.  Though, I'm not sure I identify as a Jedi either.  (seriously, you can't even get married!)  Maybe I'm just like old Jolee Bindo.  ;)

My experience wasn't a "shipping nightmare," just an oddity.  It arrived exactly when it was scheduled to, I'd just like to know why I couldn't have it earlier.  But, at least I had it by today, with the important holiday and all.  :D

I'm definitely thinking of an Aeon (possibly a V3, since the V4 is basically a long Initiate) for my next one, or a Sentinel.  I really like the look of both of those.  Probably blue for the blade, I just have to decide which blue I want.  I'll probably also throw in another grab bag, that was so much fun.  Plus, I need to make sure I spend at least $250 to use the coupon codes I want to use.  I haven't decided if I want to get one with sound yet, or just stick with the stunt sabers.  Probably stunt, because if I get one with sound, I want to go all out and get a really expensive one that I can't afford right now.  Plus, I can afford to buy more if I buy stunt sabers.

And, on a side note, 1 out of 2 cats loves my new Initiate.  One goes running scared when I pull it out and start flipping it around.  The other one likes it so much that he bats at the blade.  8)

HAHAHA!

My dog seems to go elsewhere whenever I get a saber going too. :)

Good call on saving up for a premium saber.  My Manticore kicks.

Every three months we get bonuses for workplace safety, recycling, etc.  Due to how long I've been there, (7 months) I'm just now qualifying for said bonuses.  I figure bonus time will be a great time to think about a saber with all the cool stuff I want, like that fantastic Obsidian sound board.  I just have to decide which hilt I want with all of that.  I'll probably have that as a show piece, and just use stunt sabers for spinning and dueling.

So you mean you're a cranky old semi-jedi? :P In all seriousness, great looking saber. My wife has the exact same one but in Violet Amethyst. The gold accents look amazing on that hilt. Oh and you mentioned debating on getting one with sound. Without a doubt, you should eventually get one with sound. I know it is tempting to get more stunts in lieu of a sound saber but trust me....sound is a must have at some point. I have stunts and I have sabers with sound and sound really is amazing, just at least one!

Well, maybe a cranky semi-old sort of Jedi.  :D

I'm definitely getting one with sound.  It's just a matter of waiting until I have more money to get the one with sound.  I want the fancy Obsidian soundboard with different fonts, not the Lite one.  That's probably what I'll have done with a Guardian, Chosen One or Graflex.  When I can afford one of those hilts, I want to get it fully decked out.  In the meantime, I'll probably stick with stunt sabers and the wonderful Ultra Sabers custom designs.

In the meantime, lightsaber selfie!

(https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/initiatev4le_selfie.jpg)

I took the blade out so I could put the hilt on my desk in front of me and look at it.  (that's normal, right?  :-\)  Then, on a whim, I decided to take a selfie with it.

Very nice catch on a grab bag!
How does it feel in hand when wielding? I'm just about to suggest the initiate for a friend to have as a first saber and he's also on dueling. Whereabout's the balace with that blade?

The balance is on the blade, about 4.75 inches forward of the emitter.  That's probably why the Initiate, by default, comes with a 24-inch blade.  It's probably more perfectly balanced with that size of blade.  I'm hoping adding a longer pommel (leaning towards the Catalyst pommel, since it is in stock and will be flush to the hilt) and D-Ring will balance it a bit better.  If it's still not balanced then, I can also add a bit of weight to the pommel, which I can't do as easily with the solid chunk of aluminum that's in there now.  It definitely feels a bit blade heavy in the hand, holding it at the choke point between the button and the emitter.  Still, I find it pretty comfortable to swing around.  But then, I am also untrained in saber combat.  I plan to learn at least something soon.  I'll probably work on that while I wait for my friends to get Ultra Sabers so that we can start dueling.  ;)

You can say that again;
Sabers:
Emerald Manticore ~ BR                      Dark Initiate V4 (saberpike) ~ BR
Dark Catalyst ~ BR                            Dark Sentinel V4 (stunt) ~ GB

I certainly like the red, it's just a color more often associated with the Sith.  Though, some Jedi have had red blades, including Jedi Master Adi Gallia:

(https://evilgenius180.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/adi_gallia01.jpg)
(it looks a big orange here, but it's supposed to be red)

That is, she had a red blade, in the Episode 1 BTS info, action figure, the game Jedi Starfighter, and other sources.  That is, until Attack of the Clones, when they gave her a blue blade, likely to not confuse casual fans, who associate red blades with the Sith.

In all fairness, I did just order one in CG, and there's certainly a few Jedi type hilts I'd like, but what can I say?  It's red...lol

  The temptation to buy another saber is very strong even though my first was ordered yesterday.  thanks for sharing the excitement. Initiate  LE v4 consular green -- it's sparring time.

Yeah, tell me about it.  Ordered last Thursday, got it Tuesday.  Got paid today, so I'm already thinking of putting together another order.  Though, this time I'm picking the hilt and blade color.  (though, I'll probably throw in another grab bag)

Now that I have an Initiate and I have a better sense of how long and big around these are, I can say with confidence that I want one of the longer hilts.  I was conflicted on that before I had and held one.

a gb is always a nice start to figure the quality out. I did the same and managed a Dominix V4 in blueI got a few weeks before I manage my next purchase...one as a bday gift.

Ooh, Dominix V4 sounds like a great saber to pull out of a grab bag.  Though, I'd have taken anything.  ;D

ooo, nice! Anything LE is always great, and the initiate V4 is no exception. Nice blazing red, with the chrome, gold and red blade it reminds me a lot of Revan's red lightsaber!

I was thinking of Sidious' lightsabers.  His had that color scheme too.  Revan is cool.  (love those games)

Great pictures, love the color, and super cost effective, nice

I love the LE sabers, light or dark. The contrasting accents are beautiful. Congrats on the first saber. Thanks for the review and pics.

Thanks guys.  It's a great saber.  A bit short, but I can fix that.  The LE hilt with AV switch for only $55 is definitely a great deal.  I feel lucky to have gotten it.