What is the best single-bladed dueling saber?

[mandalore]

I have been looking at ultrasabers for a bit in search of the best possible saber for hardcore dueling. Which saber is currently the best single bladed saber for dueling?

[Darkhorse V]

Whichever one you like the best!  lol  Seriously thoug, these sabers are all VERY capable duelers.  If you don't want anything in your way, go for a liberator or standard issue, if you want some more grip, go for a dominix/aeon or prophecy.  If you want a little of both as well as a showy saber get a war glaive or raven.  There is no 'bad' choice IMHO, get which one is "you".

[Darth Paul]

He's right man as long as you get the heavy grade blade you can't go wrong:)

[ShadowKatt]

it largely comes down to form and preference. There's no such thing as a BAD saber really unless you use Shien, and even then it's debatable.

My <B>OPINION</B> though is the standard issue or the liberator. The utter simplicity of the sabers without all the fancy grooves and ridges means that they can be utilised in just about any way you want. I LOVE my dark standard issue, even more than my RGB Shock that costed almost 4x as much. But that is purely preference. I've dueled with my Standard Issue, and I've dueled with my shock, and they are both more than capable, as are any other sabers you can get.

On another preferential note, I find the war glaive and the raven look unwieldly for sabers, however according to the reviews here they are both incredibly balanced despite having the massive claws. And in terms of the claws, they carry something that most sabers don't: Intimidation. Dueling is more than just saberplay, it's also a mind game. My simple sabers tend to make people underestimate my skill with a lightsaber, the clawed sabers tend to make people fear them.

But there is no right or wrong saber for anything. Shien requires somewhat of a stronger arm and more balanced saber, however even that can be overcome with practice. Find a saber that suits you, and use it. You'll learn its strengths and weaknesses as well as your own and learn to compensate for them. This is one reason why you can give two people the same saber and end up with radically different forms and techniques.

[thejedimasternick]

Hm. Standard Issue. Or an Aeon/Dominix. Both are sleek and very good at dueling. Aeon has a plus for having a unique design that offers a really good handle on the saber. Standard issue, well, there isnt too much to get in your way when you are dueling, and the saber itself has a texture that helps with the grip. But yeah, what everyone else is saying is pretty dead on. You really cant go wrong with an Ultrasaber.

[Darth Wraith]

My Personal Vote Would Have to Go to One of Two (Depending On Your Personal Style):

1. For a Form V Djem So Style Duelist such as Myself, The "Redemption" Would Get My Vote    It's got a Very Solid Feel, in addition to having quite a bit of Weight behind the saber, and in turn the downward slashes.  In this you would be choosing Pure Offense, Aggression, and Force over a more articulate approach such as a duelist who preferred to use styles such as Form II: Makashi, or the Acrobatic Approach of Form IV: Ataru.   

(Little Side Note:  If you would like a Dark Side Version of this Saber, You Could Try Your Luck at Finding an "Oppressor" (Exactly Same Saber, Except for the Color Scheme), however they are off the market now, and are fairly rare to find  )

http://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/stunt-redemption.htm

Now Regarding a More Artful Approach, Such as Form II Makashi:  My Vote Would Have To Go To The Liberator (Dark being My Personal Preference  ).  Of all my sabers (and I have over 20 sabers) My Liberator Feels The Most Amazing In My Hands, it's grip is Perfection if You Ask Me, and it has one of the best balance points I have ever seen in a saber!!!

http://www.ultrasabers.com/SI-p/darkliberator2.1.htm

[Master Nero Attoru]

I have also heard mostly good things about the liberator.  Mostly that it is lightweight and exceedingly well balanced - hence why I ordered an orange liberator staff (which I intend to re-order once Ultrasabers is back up and running)

For the ones on the market now, I can only speak for the Dominix, Aeon, and Standard Issue.  The Dominix and Aeon are basically the same apart from color scheme - I'd pick that based on the color blade you're going for.  They're affordable, and feel nice and solid in your hands, while still being well balanced.  The grooves give a nice grip to the hilt as well.  I can't really complain with these hilts.

The Standard Issues is a little different, with much more subtle grooves and a cool looking slanted emitter.  This hilt is also pretty lightweight and nicely balanced, and the simplicity of it is kind of nice.  I get the feeling you could do quite a bit of customization on something like that if you wanted to.