Jancelot's sabers: Manticore (just arrived) and Archon v2

[Jancelot]

Edited to add a hello!  I've been lurking ever since I picked up my Archon v2 a few months ago.

Malice BR just arrived today!  Two day turnaround was amazing.  Overall I love the design.  The 10 port windows really makes this saber.  

I opted for the low profile pommel and it seems that the fulcrum point is a bit off.  It has moved from just behind the hilt to just in front of it with a mid-grade blade.  I tried swapping my Archon v2 pommel and it fixed the balance.  I'm going to order a new, heavier pommel and this one will be perfect.

[Abraxus]

Very nice! 

I have a feeling, we are going to see a lot of new saber reviews coming in the next few days, many featuring the new Manticore!

[Liselyn]

Two absolutely stunning sabers. Thanks so much for the side-by-side comparison!

Not that it makes choosing which one I want any easier

[Akos_Amun]

now... switch the emitters.. you gotta try it. post up pics please 

[Abraxus]

That emitter will look fantastic on the Archon.  I know this to be true!  But, I have not seen the Archon emitter on the Manticore hilt, so by all means give that a go, and post the results!

[Jancelot]

Ha, great idea guys.  I will post pics of the switch and do a video review soon.  Overall, here are my impressions of the Manticore after a week:

• It's beautiful! Another stunning saber design from Ultra Sabers.
• It's very front heavy as the emitter is a significant chunk of metal.  The fulcrum for spins ends up being right above the emitter on the blade.
• I can move the fulcrum back a bit by swapping out for a heavier pommel (I used the one from my Archon v2).
• Where I end up holding for spins has three problems. 
  
  • arm fatigue as I have to muscle through it.
  • my finger is painfully rubbed as it falls in to the sunken area on the emitter.  wearing a glove helps.
  • my hand covers the 10-port window area which is the coolest part.

Overall, beautiful but front heavy.  It's perfect for CosPlay and display.  I got the new recharge port and have a plan to use it as a wall light as well.

Idea for a lighter version which makes the awesome 10-port window more prominent.

• Cut the emittter in half by losing the portion above the 10-port window.
• Swap the 10-port window and the horizontal bars placement

[haldir]

how does the balance compare to the archon?

have you tried the manticore with a 32'' blade? i wonder how the manticore would balance for spins with the heavier pommel and the shorter blade.

how deep does the blade go on the manticore? does it stop before the 10 holes?

out of all the ultrasabers youve handled which one has the best balance for spinning?

[Jancelot]

I've only handled these two and I should've noted upfront that I'm new to saber handling, etc.  My points here are my preferences and not meant as a criticism of the craftsmanship.  I believe actual sword balance point is beyond the hilt on the blade a couple inches.  

I'm not sure which is the best for spins but am very curious as well.  I have not tried it with a 32" blade as I only have 36" ones.  I don't see 32" ones listed on the site, though.  As you can see from the illuminated pics, the blade goes to the bottom of the emitter (i.e. the 10-port window).  

As I write all of this I realize that the button would need to be moved down, which means that the extra space gained from lopping off the top part of the emitter could be used to add another black ring on the handle.  So that said, I believe the easiest solution is a heavy pommel with  possible extra weight added to it.  I'm also considering finding some sort of material to fill the space between the 4 horizontal ring and the top of the emitter (leather band wrapped around would look really nice).  Will update soon!

[Kaiden Shardsbane]

Huh.  I've not met someone who likes the balance point right in their hand before.  I prefer the balance to sit just above the emitter, so that the saber has some weight and momentum in my swings.

Also, thank you for this review.  I've been skeptical about the Manticore since I saw it was a Darth Maul style emitter, but your pics seem to make it look much more "mostly straight with an angled section" instead of "mostly angled with a straight section".  If that makes sense.

[Abraxus]

Another thing I notice about them, after seeing them side-by-side, is that with the low profile pommel on the Manticore, you have usable space for your hands all the way to the bottom, whereas with the Archon, the last 1.5 inches is all pommel, and not usable for gripping.

I can also tell you that with the Manticore emitter on the Archon V2, its overall length (including the unusable space on the pommel), is only a hair under 10".  That is shorter than a Prophecy!  Makes it great from one handed use, or for someone with very small hands.  But, at that length, you would probably want a Mid-Grade blade to help balance things out again.

[Jancelot]

Notes after a few more days with the Manticore:

• Adding a pommel to the end has tremendously improved the feel for me.  As I stated I'm new to saber handling and it looks like that has been a major factor in my initial reaction.
• Overall it's a very different feel from my Archon v2.  It is heavier and thus feels a bit more heavy/substantial in my hands.  While I'm still favoring the lighter feel of the Archon v2, the Manticore is growing on me each day.
• It's beautiful!

I picked up two new pommels: a Raven Plain and a Bellicose Long Grooves.  I'm loving the look each of them gives to the handle.  Below are pics I promised of my two sabers in just about all the configs I could fathom.  Let me know if you'd like to see one I missed.  Notably, check out the Manticore with the Archon emitter.  Plenty of room for my big hands!

[Zren Tobas]

I like the Raven pommel. Though when I get the Manticore it'll have the longer pommel.

[Saint]

Thanks for the awesome pix Jancelot.  I'm eyeing the Mantecore and was divided between the available pommels.  I think the low profile suits the look of the Manticore better, but will consider your thoughts.  Thanks again!

[Ailric of KOTOR]

Nice review of the Manticore. Thanks for posting really good pics of it with the Archon V2.
Was curious about the size & width of it.
Now I have a better idea of it as I have the Archon V2 & I like the comfort & feel of it.
The Low Profile is really nice and sleek.
But I'm going High Profile myself for the little extra weight on the back to help give more balance.

[Kenobi 2112]

awsome sabers