Saber Forum

I was wondering how everyone transports around your sabers and associated gear? To and from classes, cons, tournaments, etc?  I made a little video with what I came up with.  I am curious how the rest of you do it.  Please add your pictures, videos, ideas and anything else to this thread- thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8wmR9iG1w# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_8wmR9iG1w#)
 

Since I came up with a steampunk jedi outfit, I've toyed with making a long wooden case to carry the blade, tools and charger.  Seemed like making it fancy and more convoluted would be a steampunk thing to do.

I carry my sabers in a Pelican Case and my blades and stuff in a Sword Bag. I dont wear protective gear so no need to transport that lol.

I don't have to carry any combat armor, but for my saber classes, I frequently have to carry 2-5 sabers, yoga mat, a binder of choreography notations, and tools/batteries/misc. stuff (Allen key set, batteries, chargers, blade plugs, soldering kit, spare retention screws, pens, pencils, staff connectors, etc.). For that I use a photography equipment bag. Occasionally I have to pack costumes (which include heavy boots and full armor frequently) and an iron/ironing board too, in which case I use a garment bag for each costume (they all have small pockets for accessories and misc. things like a sewing kit, spare Velcro, etc.) and arrange it Tetris style in a folding grocery cart with the small folding ironing board, iron, boots, and photography bag of sabers.

Lady Revan - Master of Travel  :D

Great video, MP!  

I use a telescoping art tube that can hold from 1 to 4 sabers

https://www.amazon.com/DSM-Brand-Telescoping-Blueprints-Expandable/dp/B073HY5V9G/ref=sr_1_36?keywords=telescoping+storage+tube&qid=1559213527&s=gateway&sr=8-36 (https://www.amazon.com/DSM-Brand-Telescoping-Blueprints-Expandable/dp/B073HY5V9G/ref=sr_1_36?keywords=telescoping+storage+tube&qid=1559213527&s=gateway&sr=8-36)

I then use a saber bag, look up "saber bag" or "defconbird" on eBay. He makes different sabers to cover and protect your hilts

Amazing Lady R, I love that a folding ironing board is part of your kit! Such a cool and diverse hobby to which we belong.  “Arrange it Tetris style” paints such a beautifully vivid mental picture. I will have to remember that phrase. Your description gives me an idea for another thread some day on what goes into a saber tool/misc. stuff kit.
Great tips! I’ve seen his stuff on eBay- good to know you recommend it.

Thanks!  Nice idea there.


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Possibly a stupid question, but why are you transporting so many light sabers?

I've known musicians to bring 2 guitars, in case one has a problem.  So two of everything makes sense.

But it sounds like some of you bring more than you got hands for.  Why?

granted, I have 1 light saber. y'all might be bringing spares for students?

Just curious.

I can't speak for anyone else, but when we take our sabers somewhere we end up loaning several out for impromptu sparring sessions.    Which is why we also bring gloves and I bought a batch of safety glasses not to long ago for eye protection.   Bare minimum, but at least we don't get broken fingers or poked-out eyes! 

One saber?!?!?!? The addiction is only in the incubation phase for you....
Like Karmack, I can’t speak for others, but I have a few reasons. During any given class I may want to use a dedicated one hander, a true two hander (for different types of sparring), my shoto set for kali/jar’kai drills and another pretty saber like my Savior for form or flow practice. I know it sounds silly, but it’s not a stretch for me to use 5 different sabers during a 2 hour class. Like your musician analogy, different sounds for different tunes or styles. And yes it’s nice to have extra sabers around for brand new students. The other main reason is the Academy sets up at a few cons throughout the year and we usually set up a booth with a bunch of sabers on display. The footage of me walking around the city streets in the video, my daughter shot while we were walking to the convention center for a con a couple weeks back.

I'm looking at one but I'm concerned about carrying a saber with a tsuba with any other sabers.

Hi Ken at Sunrise,

You could get some foam pipe insulation tubing, the type that is slit down it's length and wraps round the pipe. You can cut a short length long enough to wrap around the circumference of the Tsuba, fitting the edge into the groove to form a padded rim. Just use a bit of tape to keep it in position. It might not look pretty but it should stop the Tsuba contacting/rubbing against your other hilts.

Along with For Tyeth's suggestion, the carrier in the video showed an adjustable broom holder thing.  You can move one of the clips away from the others.

Forgot to include in my previous list of things spare blades and tips (in the camera bag) and now my knight belt since I can’t teach without wearing it (usually I keep it in the camera bag too so it doesn’t get left)

Ken- what Janx said, you can adjust as needed, the holder i used will keep the saber in place. 
Hey Lady, shoot us a pic of that camera bag when you get a chance, I am liking the sound of all the room you have in that thing.  My set-up also allows for a couple spare blades in the saber pocket in between the complete sabers. 

Will do! it's a pretty massive bag, it's about as long as I am tall. and a decent width and height also, with a side pocket for smaller things.

How do you know how many hands we have?  ;D

On a more serious note, when going to lightsaber class I usually bring only one and only sometimes two when someone else needs a specific color.

It's only for cons that I've recently had to bring more because they needed some for the stall and/or initiation class. I'll post picks of what I use soon.

By the way you type your posts.  Also, your pics kinda give it away.... :)

This is something that's actually been on my mind for a while and, in fact, held me back from joining a dueling club (cuz the only one near me is pretty far away).

Long story short: for medical reasons (seizures), I wasn't able to drive until quite recently (brain surgery; that's an even longer story). Thinking seriously about buying a vehicle, but can't really justify a whole car. Looking at maybe a scooter or motorcycle.
BUT that is still going to make transporting sabers a little iffy. Protective gear could totally go in a backpack, but unless I wanna take out the blade and put it all back together when I get to the sparring area every time, I d'know what options I've got.

Anybody transport sabers on a two-wheeled vehicle like I intend? How does that work out for ya?

I was looking at something like this, maybe...?
https://www.amazon.com/LEONARK-Fencing-Epee-Saber-Foil/dp/B07L5FSWWB/ (https://www.amazon.com/LEONARK-Fencing-Epee-Saber-Foil/dp/B07L5FSWWB/)

To clarify why some people bring so many, I can’t speak for others, but I usually have 5: my two Saviors (one of which I keep at a shorter length for my offhand while dual wielding), a staff (which is 2 sabers by itself), and a spare saber. I might start bringing my whip in the future when I finish it. Gonna be working on some whip choreography to throw in for performances.

I have to pack my bag tonight for a basic class tomorrow, so I’ll take some pics or a video

I have a smaller fabric bag I got for like $8 on Amazon I use for when I only need to transport 1 or 2. Might work for you. I walk everywhere or take the train and bus, so I feel your struggle in transporting things

That seems reasonable actually.  Though is it long enough since a foil is x length plus a pretty short hilt (light sabers seem to be 13" hilts)?

I've toyed with some ideas for my steampunk jedi, and in one I'm thinking of hiding/protecting the blade in a PVC pipe.  Perhaps line the top/bottom ends with felt (an inch or two in as far as my fingers can stuff it) so the blade doesn't rub/scuff.  That idea might have merit in that case, as a way to keep them straight since it appears floppy.

I store my lightsabers without blades attached. They fit well in 20 mm ammo crates. When I transport them, the Blades are cloth bagged and velcro strapped together (in stacks of 3). Special hilts (Graflex, Chosen One, Emperor's Hand, etc), are wrapped in micro fiber towels, velcro strapped tight, then ditty bagged.

Video of packing my Saber Bag! Sorry for the shaky camera as I’m trying to hold my phone and do everything one-handed LOL



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41JW7BRqBxE&t=1s# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41JW7BRqBxE&t=1s#)

So the little 1-2 saber bag I have is about $12 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZFXCTH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZFXCTH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

I paid $60 for the camera bag that I use for my bulk saber bag in the video, though it's $55.50 now:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EQ1ALPS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EQ1ALPS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

SPOILER ALERT! These pics are not of me  ;)

Back on subject. I didn't get around to take some pics yet but basically I have one saber bag I bought and two I made myself.

The first one is a cotton protection for a katana I bought years ago that I use for a spare saber if I need to bring one extra, because it's black cotton and basically only "hides" the saber without protecting it much and no straps to help carry it.

The second one, which I made, fits a single saber. It's made of black faux leather and has a car seat belt strap to carry it on my back. This protects it well from scratches as well as rain and snow and the strap it quite resistant. Only thing I'd change on it would be some sort of padding on the strap so it would be more comfortable when I carry it without jacket (with t-shirt only it can be a bit uncomfortable when going far).

The third one isn't fully ready yet. It's made of brown faux leather and can hold up to 7-8 sabers. No separations inside yet to protect them from banging against each other so for the time being I use bubble wrap. I had to make it on short notice (like 4 hours  ;D ) because my school needed some for a con and discovered they where short only the day before. Still haven't found the time to make proper straps to carry it on my back, but it's a work in progress.

I use a rifle case that I bought off of evilBay (eBay).

Thanks for taking the time to share Mil’Lady! That is one hell of a massive bag. I like the dividers inside. I have a lot of the same extra stuff, but not as much as you (just like I don’t have nearly as many sabers as you). I think I was most fascinated by your QB arm band cheat sheet! What a brilliant idea, and striking to see the nomenclature of choreography all written out in its own language.  Very interesting and different compared to what I do with a saber- I love it!

I would say the rifle case is probably the most popular method at the Academy. I went with the rolling catchers bag so have gear and sabers all in one bag and still have a free hand.

Looking forward to seeing these Nox!

You’re welcome! The idea for the wristband was actually suggested to me by “my master,” Master Kalec XD He used one when studying for his exams. I think I need to take mine up again to review the single saber part for Obi-Maul. I think o carry the same number of sabers typically as you though. About 5. I just have extra blades lol. I’ll have to do a separate video sometime of the differences in packing for Saber Guild as opposed to for Saber Craft. That one gets Tetris style lol

I use and older version of  this a sword traveling case. price varies depending how flashy you want it  they can be found at most martial arts supply
or many other online retailers
(http://i.imgur.com/5ptOOvV.jpg) (https://imgur.com/5ptOOvV)

At saber class, I noticed one chap used a plastic rifle case.  It was too short for our Grand Master or Savior, but fit his Emperor's Hand.  Said he paid $10 for it at Academy.

Today, I did a quick search revealed a $16.99 case that holds 48".  guess how long that Savior is?  47.5

I bought it and am gluing the foam padding in (it's loose and flops out otherwise).  But other than that, it's reasonable ruggedness and can hold 2-3 sabers and a couple tools.  Better than using the cardboard shipping box my wife's arrived in. :)

For other gear, I bought a $35 duffle with a big side pocket, wide front pocket and main area with a mini uvula pocket for phone and keys.  Fits two pair of lacrosse gloves  in the side pocket. With a pair of shoes in the main area, I think there's still enough room for  a fencing mask when I get one.

I'm carrying for two people, but I don't see individuals bringing more than 2-3 sabers to class.  Not the same usage requirements Lady Revan has :)

I'll try to get back here to post a pic when the glue is dry...

FWIW, if you have a Daiso store near you, they're selling those (or at least the ones I have look very similar to those) for $3.  I got 10 (maps for D&D, posters, etc) for the price of that one from amazon.

Just was surfing those internet places and found someone who makes a 3 hilt + 3 blade soft case/carrier, specifically for lightsabers:

https://www.thepachstore.com/collections/custom-sabers/products/carryallhttps://www.thepachstore.com/collections/custom-sabers/products/carryall (https://www.thepachstore.com/collections/custom-sabers/products/carryallhttps://www.thepachstore.com/collections/custom-sabers/products/carryall)

$45 each, without shipping costs. prototype atm, but i'm looking into it. Better than the soft rifle case I have now.

I just purchased 2, with $24 shipping

Rifle case and plastic tote.

I'm using a fishing rod case / bag. All sabers with blades are protected separately and holded by rubber bands. Also long enough for The Fallen with 36" blade.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61uAp1fBA6L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zwini-Large-capacity-Organizer-CaseFishing-Fisherman/dp/B07ZX1SCJN)