Received my saber on Tuesday 4/2/2013. The camera that I normally use for pics had dead batteries so I had to use a backup camera that I keep around just in case. The pics unfortunately did not do this saber justice so I had to create a video review.
I'll link this thread in the Raffle thread so that others can find their way here as well.
The very first surprise was the saber itself. I love windowed emitters and when the Dark Reaper came out of the box, my breath was taken away. I saw the videos Deep did and the pics on the website but until you actually hold it, you are not experiencing the full measure of the saber.
The amount of detail in the grooves was unbelievable. Then I discovered that there are set screws on the slanted portion of the emitter and pommel that are adjustable. You can turn your slants any way that you want them to face.
If you like to tinker like I do, I will let you in on a secret. The mid section unscrews into 2 parts. If you purchased one with the Guarded momentary switch and wanted to upgrade to AV, then you have a ton more room to do the work yourself. So after taking a moment to wipe the drool front my bearded chin, I had to turn her on. Green AV switch and then I saw the blade color. At first I was thinking, SRD that the UE blade was making look more green. Then I had to run and grab the War Glaive I own in SRD. That is when it hit me: I got a forum exclusive color of Emerald Green.
So, I decided to be good and wait for the wife to get home to show her this work of art. Bad move!!! She instantly fell in love with it. Although she had previously laid claim to my War Glaive as she loved the SRD, she immediately told me to remove the claws and the saber was now hers. I mean how do you argue with this woman??? So, the Reaper stays in the family but is now my wife's favorite of all the US hilts.
I love the markings, the placement of the Covertec Wheel. The open pommel is very deep and adds a great deal of resonance to the sound. Actually it is super loud and I love it!!! The claws give it a brass knuckles appearance in which the saber clearly states "Don't mess with me!" Even removed, the saber has a very streamlined appearance and taking the claws from the emitter gives you two additional vent holes that just scream AWESOME!!!
It is my very first saber that was not wired for Flash on Clash and it does not take away one bit from the Obsidian experience. Imagine that Obsidian Sound is a Hot Fudge Sundae with extra whipped cream and a cherry on top. All Flash on Clash adds is sprinkles. Without sprinkles, you still have a super deluxe Hot Fudge Sundae!!! I certainly see this saber being used at Kempo Demos in the future.
After removing the claws and watching my wife go against my Archon, all I could think was just how beautiful that saber looked in the hands of a lady. I would have snapped a picture but I would be unable to type at the moment as she is camera shy. Go figure
Anyhow, I'll stop typing and let the video do the magic from here out. Enjoy my video review of the Dark Reaper in forum exclusive Emerald Green. Ultrasabers should regard this saber as their equivalent of the Sistine Chapel.
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