Saber Forum

I would instantly buy any new initiate sized hilt as a shoto, my little brother already has 2 Initiates and I really want one but I don't want to steal his saber identity. Any one else agree? What would you guys like to see in terms of style?  

I would love to see a short liberator personally

I agree I do like shorter hilts!!

I would like some variety in the Shoto choices, definitely. Like a mini Bane would be nice....

Bane would be awesome, but a mini would produce an average size saber, just cause it's already massive :D

The words "mini" and "Bane" just don't go together.  :o

I agree with Caine. The Bane has to be big and intimidating or it just wouldn't be the Bane.

I have to agree with Master Stockton agreeing with Caine. The Bane is all about a big long hilt for fierce leverage; 'mini-Bane' seems...why?

A shoto length Oppressor/Redemption could be very cool though.

Onli-Wan, i couldn't help but notice all the sabers you have listed. I am struck with jealousy.

I actually only bought one Ultrasaber last year but Ultrasabers are a hard habit to break [and I dont want to] one leads to another, and another...and...

*in Yoda voice*

Once down the Ultrasabers path you begin, forever will they dominate your pocketbook...

lol

Ya i hear ya. I just got my standard issue battle staff like three weeks ago and i want another so bad.

I'd have to say, all the sabers are great as is. They all have their own perks and most importantly each saber calls out to different people. Sure. I would like to see new designs and ideas. But change them, nah I think we have some great sabers to learn and practice on. 

I agree with that, "minis" shouldn't come into the saber market, they should be completely distinct designs, what I meant initially to ask was this; what elements would you like to see if a new initiate saber came out? A dominant emitter, windows cut into it, lathing, cover tec knob, the button closer to the pommel for back handed use? Describe what would be useful on it if you were going to use it as a shoto, or as a main weapon.   

Ah! Sorry about that. Hmm, that is an interesting question. I always liked shorter hilts personally because they are a little quicker to use. I think a mini-SI would be great. Something that simple, but just shorter. I think the windows look great in sabers as well, maybe there would be an option later on down the line that would allow us to choose a style or whether or not the saber would have them. I think the covertec knob should start making its way back onto sabers, not to mention actually being able to find a place to sell the belt latch. I always thought there should be a saber with the switch closer to the bottom. Personal preference of course since I am an emitter grabber. As a shoto, hmm, maybe have the pommel weighted a bit if you want to go reverse grip, or offer counterbalance option that can have either a top heavy hilt or bottom heavy hilt. Main weapon, I think depends on whether you want to go two handed or one handed. For example, I think the Bane is a great hilt, as a two handed saber. You could still use it as a one handed saber, but I think an SI would be more of an efficient one handed saber. Then again, havent exactly handled a Bane, but its beastness shows.

Also something to consider is an even smaller blade than the initiate's 24", like a 12" blade to produce more of a knife than anything, an initiate staff with those would make allow use of only one hand, I know there is a specific weapon like this, can't think of a name or example at the moment though :P

I am also a fan of covertec, not so much for comfortable use but rather just the more realistic feel, plus I would love to see a covertec put closer to the emitter end, that way it acts as a guard to stop your hand from slipping onto the blade, all while staying out of the way of your hands.

A cool initiate to me would have a windowed emitter and a pommel that is slightly bigger than the grip, that way it is a one handed saber that won't slip regardless of foregrip or backgrip use. 

We have designs for more short sabers to be released later in the year.

I agree, I think a covertec is great, but I just think it should either be place closer to the bottom or top of the hilt. Same with the switch. I think there should be a little more room for play on the hilt. I remember the weapon you are talking about. I have played a bit with that. When I used to do some Poi stuff, we had some short staffs as well.

Cool idea. I could see that. Always wanted to see more window/hole designs as well on the saber.

I swear we have identical sabers in mind. I would LOVE to see a switch higher up on the hilt, I never brought it up or suggested it because there may not be enough room in terms of circuitry. I'm about to post a "progression of sabers" topic (just need to take pics) and I'll talk about that, keep an eye out for it.

An initiate/shoto saber that I've really come to like is Ahsoka Tano's, specifically the emitter (anakin-ish) and the base (Obi-won-ish). But also if you look at the back half it is slightly bigger, leaving a 'pocket' for the single handed grip:
(http://www.entertainmentearth.com/images/%5CAUTOIMAGES%5CEFX0001lg.jpg)

Just a few shotos I threw together with the TCSS builder:

(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/3408/saberbuilderrenders.png)

Those TCSS hilts are 10" minimum.  10 inches long is not what I would consider a short saber.  Ten inches is a standard 2 handed hilt length.

I agree, although the one on the bottom right has my favorite emitter. The Initiate out now is about 8.5 inches so anywhere under that would be awesome. (Ultra posted in the discussion! Acknowledgment leads to potential results...) also, what about the ability to add mini claws? Just for those Sith out there.

Really? Cause the builder said that they were all 9 1/2 at the longest(I built them individually first). Is that not an accurate measurement that the program gives?

I like the sleekness of Ahsoka's hilt. Just loose that little box maybe. I built some pvc stunt sabers and I used about a 6-7 in. hilt design with about a 23 in. blade and they worked pretty well.

YYYYAAAAAAYYY!!!![/color]

more short hilts would be sweet, another run of the Kestrels or Wraiths would be nice ;D
(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo203/foyt21/th_Kestrel1.jpg) (http://s376.photobucket.com/albums/oo203/foyt21/?action=view&current=Kestrel1.jpg)
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q169/AJFenderBender/254.jpg)

How did I miss this comment!!!??? Awesome Ultra, will they be staff-able?

Something like that I think wouldnt be too time consuming or hard to do I think.

how much does the initiate v2 weigh?

Hmm, not sure, I think we will need an exact number on that. But, I have to say light. Very light and very easy to handle. If you have any other US or MR saber or anything like that which is regular sized, it is maybe half the weight? Especially if the blade is shorter.

That would be the old Ultrasabers Kestrel, as posted above. It is a really nice hilt.

yes more wraiths please  :)

I'm assuming the wraith is the black one. That thing is sweet looking!

Woah, tight, but no concaved grip :C

And the weight of the initiate V2 saber shouldn't be a concern while sparring or doing a demo, even with the HG blade it's weight is negligible.

It is concave, see my pics http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=102.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=102.0)
The concave section is the lower half so basically it is a liberator with the bottom third removed.

what i really want.........?!?!?!??!?!    is an initiate rgb!

I've been dreaming of that as well, problem is fitting it all into the hilt, of course, this is Ultrasabers...

hahahha good point!!!!!!

well i changed my initiate style al little bit
i just cut the emitter on 45 degrees
i also made the 3 upper grooves silver
and wrapped some leather on it

and this is the result ;D

(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/Luc_ar/Foto0213.jpg)