Saber Forum

Ultra Sabers Discussion => Ultra Sabers Customization => Topic started by: Karmack on April 08, 2019, 03:56:39 PM



Title: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: Karmack on April 08, 2019, 03:56:39 PM
Hey saberforum!

So, I picked up an Initiate V4 LE as a grab-bag during the raffle before Christmas.  Its a straight-up stunt V4 LE, but it is in Arctic Blue (my favorite!) and it was a nice hilt, so I decided to hang onto it and see what I could do with it.

Here's a picture of it in company with its "mates" from that raffle:

(https://i.imgur.com/VIY2d7M.jpg)

But ... what to do?

After some thought, I decided to remake this hilt into a "two-handed" hilt by stealing an idea from my daughter.  She has an Initiate V3 that she made into a two-handed hilt by adding an extension.  So I picked up an MHS V1 ribbed extension, v-grooved from TCSS.  After installing this extension, I also picked up some new pommels and installed a Malice Round pommel on this hilt.  It looked better, but it needed something more.  Here it is, after this hardware installation, with my new Dark Sentinel V5 (also sporting a pommel upgrade), Dk Cat (with a Scorpion pommel) and two Initiate V3s with their vented coupler.

(https://i.imgur.com/zR8owZu.jpg)

So ... I was mulling it over and I happened to see a post by Solstice Lacer, outlining how she used a paint treatment on her Sentinel V4 mod.  So I stopped off and picked up a spray can of Rustoleum "black steel" paint.   I also grabbed my trusty Testors Model Master Gunmetal acrylic paint.   The approach was this:   Paint the recessed rings Gunmetal to give the base hilt a two-tone feel, and spray the "grenade" section of the extension to make it pop.

I like the result:

(https://i.imgur.com/4u01BYV.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/OMdRbqc.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/hjMI83z.jpg)

Amazing what a little paint will do...


Title: Re: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: Infinit01 on April 08, 2019, 04:27:36 PM
A nice easy and simple mod that you did to your new Ini, Karmack. I like it and the black added to the hilt changes how it looks.  Point for that


Title: Re: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: MandaloriansPride on April 08, 2019, 06:53:33 PM
That looks really good!


Title: Re: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: For Tyeth on April 08, 2019, 07:14:17 PM
Hello Karmack,

Really nice mods you have made. It still amazes me how changing small details makes BIG differences. And I like your improvised photo studio - or was this arrangement just for convenience to get the saber to stand upright?  :)

point on it's way to you.


Title: Re: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: Karmack on April 08, 2019, 07:51:07 PM
LOL   Thanks For!

AS for the studio...  Its a convenient corner in my office, where this saber lives on display.   I will have to post another picture soon of the display as it is today lit up...


Title: Re: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: tx_tuff on April 08, 2019, 09:55:37 PM
Nice work!

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk



Title: Re: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: Therion Jinn on April 09, 2019, 02:03:54 AM
Turned out really good, there


Title: Re: Initiate V4 LE - simple customization
Post by: BatMike90 on April 10, 2019, 12:00:49 AM
Simple, easy, great work! Point!