A new perspective on the V3

[Darth Logos]

If you have a high Manticore pommel, this will help with the v4's and 36" blade.  Also keeps that streamlined look without a mis-matched clunkier looking pommel such as the Archon.  I think that 16 - 32" blades work best with v4 Initiates/Apprentices as per their design.   

Well of course the 16" is going to work. And don't be hatin' on the Archon pommel. Thus far it's my favorite.

[Dauntless Seven]

Huh with "well of course the 16" blade is going to work".  Lot's of members don't use them as think they are too short.  I too really like the Archon pommels and have both the classic and the silver/black one.  Specifically for the v3 and v4, these might not be the best fit.  But as someone else said, to each his own.  This is the end of my input on your post.  Roger out.

[MavRick]

I put a 32 in mid grade blade in the initiate and it seems to work well. It also works well in my Apprentice, but heavy grades and 36s seem like to much, except for the HG24 in it came with that one is ok to me. might just be personal preferance.

[Darth Logos]

Huh with "well of course the 16" blade is going to work".  Lot's of members don't use them as think they are too short.  I too really like the Archon pommels and have both the classic and the silver/black one.  Specifically for the v3 and v4, these might not be the best fit.  But as someone else said, to each his own.  This is the end of my input on your post.  Roger out.

A 16" is not practical for dueling, unless you keep it in your off hand. Like (I think) epee fighting. You have a long blade for your main, and a dagger in your off hand. The dagger can assist in blocking, and does exceptionally well for in-close work. You actually put a thought in my head last night. There's an old saying, "A samurai always carries 3 swords." A katana (36"), a wakazashi (about 24"), and a tanto (about 12"). This set up would make a pretty wicked cos-play. Samurai-Jedi

[Sypho Ruut]

A 16" is not practical for dueling, unless you keep it in your off hand. Like (I think) epee fighting. You have a long blade for your main, and a dagger in your off hand. The dagger can assist in blocking, and does exceptionally well for in-close work. You actually put a thought in my head last night. There's an old saying, "A samurai always carries 3 swords." A katana (36"), a wakazashi (about 24"), and a tanto (about 12"). This set up would make a pretty wicked cos-play. Samurai-Jedi

 To the best of my knowledge, epee simply means "sword", and is a form of modern sport fencing. The guard and blade cross section differs from a foil, as do the target areas, but both are thrust-centric weapons.

 A dagger would be used fairly often with a rapier, and often in films the rapier is represented as a cup-hilted epee, so i suspect that's where it comes from
In certain schools of rapier fencing, the dagger was known as a parrying dagger, in others it was called the 'main gauche', but that just means 'left hand'.

 I agree on the useage though, 16" is alright for a spear, but that's about it. As a lightsaber's blade cuts as easily as it touches, there's not actually anything to gain from using a short blade on a spear though, so it's probably limited to aesthetic purposes and tonfa use for the most part.

[Darth Logos]

A dagger would be used fairly often with a rapier, and often in films the rapier is represented as a cup-hilted epee, so i suspect that's where it comes from
In certain schools of rapier fencing, the dagger was known as a parrying dagger, in others it was called the 'main gauche', but that just means 'left hand'.

 I agree on the useage though, 16" is alright for a spear, but that's about it. As a lightsaber's blade cuts as easily as it touches, there's not actually anything to gain from using a short blade on a spear though, so it's probably limited to aesthetic purposes and tonfa use for the most part.

Ok then, Rapier fighting w/ a "main gauche". Same principle. A short blade is better for in-close work. It takes less strength (not that strength is needed with a real lightsaber) and far less room to use (to avoid collateral damage). Now if you don't care what you jack up swinging while swinging away, go nuts with a 36", hell go 40".

[Corrin Wat]

I bought the Dark Initiate V3 because it was cheap and I needed a cheap black saber for practice/dueling.
I'm going to buy at least one more because they really are great.
What I first noticed, like Darth Logos said, is that they are an extension of your arm in the way a blade should be, they feel weightless and motions are effortless with them. Excellent for one or two hands. The only thing not perfect about it is the two inches you lose into the hilt, I would've gotten a longer blade if I had known that before, 22 inches is too short a blade. Overall though, I'm very happy with it.

[Zren Tobas]

I have a Dominix V4 and I do miss the slim choke points of the V3. I let my brother have my Aeon V3 in all silver because he just loved the all silver theme again. I may have to get one of my own again soon =]