Saber Forum

Lord do I love this saber. I added a leather wrap to the hilt and it just makes it even more gorgeous. Hope ya’ll dig it! (https://bjfitzgerald.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/aef2247d-ff9b-4f8d-94bf-3fdcbac00980.jpeg)

Very nice leather wrap.

Very cool.  I wish I knew how to work with leather!

Thanks! It’s actually not all that hard- you just need a rotary cutter, a ruler, some contact cement and a steady hand! I know there are a bunch of tutorials here and on YouTube, too!

I like it.
A simple, yet elegant, modification

Really nice!

Looking good.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Wonderful saber with beautiful craftsmanship!  I have an Archon v3 VERY similar.  What color is your AV switch?

It’s a blue blade with a green AV switch! I’m also working on making my own blade plug- I curse all of you though; I’m now addicted and getting my third Ultrasaber on Friday!  ;) it’s going to be an Apprentice V4, blazing red, Obsidian Lite, with a red AV switch and violet FOC. I can’t wait!

So I got my Apprentice V4 a day early and already couldn’t wait to put my touch on it: I added a multi color leather wrap and it looks amazing. I have to say, the pictures don’t do this hilt justice; it’s beautiful!
(https://bjfitzgerald.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/4f840ae8-8e5e-4547-8357-52c2d4d83ab4.jpeg)

Looks very nice there.
How does it feel for grip?

Thanks, Therion!  I used extra soft leather, so it feels incredible. I may but thinner material on it if I re-wrap it, so you can see those ridges in the grip better. I’m still learning the process of leather work, so it’s all a learning curve!   ;D

Thanks for the info, jazzman23.
There may be a learning curve, but it's fun learning

Looks like beautiful leather work. I do really like the fact that there's a gap, you don't see that too often and I think it makes it look better than one solid piece.

A really simple customization, job well done.

Thanks, Saso! I had a couple of different designs, but I liked the look AND the feel of the gap incorporated in to it. I think when I rewrap the Apprentice V4, I’ll try something similar!

Very nice customization here. Both extremely beautiful hilts and mods.

So I re-wrapped my Apprentice V4. I split the brown leather and added a black leather band in the middle, then added a small leather band on the emitter. Hope ya’ll dig it!
(https://bjfitzgerald.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/ac9ae21a-c611-4181-b7f4-946c18cd8752.jpeg)

Simple but elegant. A saber that is yours, Congrats!!

Definitely liking the new look

Really liking that.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

That is gorgeous Jazz!  Wonderful mod!

Very sharp looking. Congrats on learning saber customizing. Point to you.

Thank you to all of you! I’ve been enjoying this new hobby quite a bit and love checking out everyone’s creativity!  :)

That is beautiful. I really like the brown leather broken up by the black.

Thank you, I appreciate it, man! I hadn’t seen anything like that and I love clean design  :)

Classy! I have no experience working with leather but I would really like to do something like that. How do you get the leather to conform to the grooves?
Any other tips? Much appreciated.

Thanks! Well, first get yourself a rotary cutter, some contact cement, a straight edge, a bunch of leather pieces (you’ll make plenty of mistakes when you first start) and popsicle sticks. Once I measured the leather and cut it with as much precision as I could, I added some contact cement and let it dry for about a minute. I placed the leather on the hilt and worked the leather around it, using the popsicle sticks to press the leather in to the grooves. Once the two pieces touch, you’ll need to trim where the two parts line up. Try to tuck the leather a bit in to the other side and then roll the hilt in your hands with firm pressure. Let me know how you make out!

Wow, everyone is so helpful and detailed when I ask about something. Thank you very much. The popsicle sticks make a lot of sense now. One thing though I'm not super knowledgeable about tools and I'm pretty broke. Would a Basic Dremmel tool with rotary cutting attachments work?
I actually already have some good black leather to work with. Thanks again for your help.

No problem! The rotary cutter is only like $8 on Amazon- I can DM the link to you if you want, but it’s a Luditek. I wouldn’t use the dremel for fear of pulling up the leather on contact. Hope this helps!!

Hi.  You've done a fine artistic venture with both sabers to make them your own.  Understated elegance.  Thanks for the popsicle stick helpful hint.  I sometimes place narrow 0 rings in the grooves of some sabers prior to wrapping for the raised opposite effect.  :)

What brand of cement are you using ?

point  8)

Yeah if you don't mind that would be great. I was looking at ones that cost upwards of $150, and I can not do that. Thanks again for all your help.
I think based on a Tsuba Darth Cephalus made, I may try to make my own and ad it to top to bottom wrapped leather or suede hilt in Adegan silver with a 24 inch blade and very long hilt so it looks like a Ninja-To. You guys got me pumped on my first actual plans for a customized saber.
something inspired by this:
(https://i.imgur.com/CgodReZ.jpg)

O rings that is a great idea too. Thank you.

Thanks, Dauntless! I’m just using Dap Weldwood Contact Cement. Works perfectly and is extremely easy to clean up if you make a mistake.