Raffle prize - Prototype

[James Casey]

Having already shared my Consular review with you guys, it's time to move on to look at my raffle prize - a new hilt altogether, and not one (I believe) that anyone else on the forum has had a chance to share with you.

Before I start, and to save you the trouble, I've spoken to Emory who's confirmed that this is a prototype for a 'sabre US are hoping to release later this year. Good news for you guys, as this is a seriously nice 'sabre!

Without further ado, then...



This is the hilt I received as my raffle prize. All black, with two prominent choke points and a windowed emitter, I thought at first that it was from the same line as the prototype received by julmax and hazard502.

Not so.



Where their hilts are curvy and flowing, this has a more industrial look to it. Looking at it, I'm vaguely reminded of the hilt Corran Horn cobbled together in I, Jedi - the lower end looks like a bike handlebar, the emitter like a nozzle and so on. It's not refined, it's not flowing, but it is remarkably comfortable to hold.

The other prototypes appear to be in the line of the Aeons and Dominixes. This one... Well, it may be an all new design all together, but if not then the windowed emitter makes me wonder if it's intended as an update on the Liberator/Dark Liberator. The other prototype can have both Emerald and Obsidian boards in place at the same time. Mine came with the Obsidian sound board, so I can't say for sure if there's room for both in there, but it's a possibility.





The hilt is about 13.5 inches/34 centimetres in length. In terms of comparisons to other hilts...



...it's fractionally longer than the v2 and v3 Aeons and Dominixes. The Liberator comparison only occurred to me today, so I don't have a shot of the two side by side, but there wouldn't be much difference in lengths.

I suspect that the emitter is the most eye-catching element of this hilt at first.



Six lozenge-shaped windows encircle the emitter, and when lit up the light of the blade shines through these, effectively making it look like the blade is alight within the hilt. Fire Orange is a good colour for showing this off

The pommel that the hilt arrived with is a standard one, I believe - the basic vented pommel used for the existing Dominix hilts. I rather like it.



I would imagine that a dedicated pommel will be made for the hilt in due course, however.



For those who haven't come across the vented pommel before, it really is just a ring of aluminium. The soundboard and battery pack can't fall out the bottom, but it's vulnerable to something jabbing up through the hole.

My favourite part of the hilt may be the lower grip.



Comprising an extended series of ridges, it's just a really nice grip, unlikely to slip out of your hand during a duel.



With the lower grip and two choke points you have four ways of gripping the hilt two-handed. My preference thus far has been using the upper choke and lower grip. The chokes are significantly narrower than the grip, collar and emitter, so much so that the diameter feels comparable to my Aeon v2. It's a really, really comfortable hilt to hold - I'd go so far as to say it's as nice to wield as a Prophecy, hitherto my gold standard for comfortable hilts in the US lineup.



Presumably because of the slimline sections this seems like a really light hilt - noticeably lighter than my Consular, which I was pleased with the lightness of. I don't think this is a hilt that'd give anyone much trouble to use. The difference in diameter between the chokes and the wider sections make for a solid grip - there's little prospect of your hand sliding along the hilt, which I've experienced with the Standard Issues, for example.

So, here it is - the third prototype US have released as a raffle prize in the last couple of months. I hope the pictures are clear enough - there's an inherent problem in trying to pick up the black detailing on a black hilt If you want to see anything in particular highlighted, please let me know as I can probably get some more photos up fairly quickly.

I can't speak for the other prototype hilts we've seen, but I'm delighted that this one will hopefully be available to buy soon. It's a really, really, really nice hilt. You deserve to own one, all of you I'm delighted to have been (one of?) the first to get my hands on it, as it's a great hilt to wield, and I also think that it looks really cool, too. As far as I'm concerned, this definitely comes highly recommended!

[magik0012]

Sweeeeet Nice write-up yet again, thanks James!

[julmax]

Great review JC...

...  And a very interesting new prototype you have there...  Graduations!  But I'm scratching my head a bit on this one, because I have absolutely no idea where this saber will fit into the US lineup.  My first thought was a V4 Prophecy.  But after seeing it compared to the V2 and V3 Aeons, I was thinking a successor for those.  But if that's the case, where would the prototypes that Hazard and myself have fit in?  As for a possible V4 Liberator, honestly, I don't see it.  But who knows?

Out of curiosity, I made a quick measure comparison to my prototype and can confirm yours would indeed be capable of both Obsidian and Emerald.  Also, the pummels are identical.

Any-who...  Congratulations again, and a point well deserved.

[Zren Tobas]

Very nice. Definitely getting me one when these come out.

[Molina00]

I really like the ribbed handle and that looks killer in orange.  Nice haul there.

[Zren Tobas]

Its what I like about this version hilt as well. But I more like the other Prototype Jul got. Get this one for my bro in Consular Green and the other one for me in Guardian Blue. Wonder what the stunt set prices will be. This one seems to be the talk of the night. Lol.

[Ziran Le]

Nice!  It does smack a bit of being a new "Prophec-ator", doesn't it?  Hilt shape is a bit like the Prophecy with styling on the emitter vaguely reminiscent of the Liberator.  Overall it looks very utilitarian in straight black, but I can picture this is multi-color LE versions and it would look killer!  Personally I've found that I love a comfortable hilt to be handled and this looks like just the ticket.

Thx for the review, James!

Oh, and maybe I missed it, but does the emitter detach?  Looks like only an MHS pommel, one piece body.

[Zren Tobas]

^^^An LE version would be awesome. Thanks for an idea. =] Might get me one in Sun Rider's Destiny if an LE version comes out.

[aray887]

That's cool. Switch out the choke points for the aeon v3 style n I'm sold. Love the ribbed handle and emitter.

[Ziran Le]

This thing, in an LE version, with silver machined grooves like on the current Dominix and Dark Initiate?  Pssh, Pyrestone Orange!

[Zren Tobas]

No Sun Rider's Destiny sexyness.

[sedstiskyfaller]

Very interesting...I agree this resembles a hybrid Prophecy/Liberator in some ways. The emitter looks awesome, but I'm not sure I like the rest of the hilt with the massive choke points. I think it would look better with ones that were more shaped with the hilt rather than into it if that makes sense.

[Dauntless Seven]

Well done review James (the lozenge-shaped windows, very descriptive) and a point for you.  So glad that you got an extra special treat.  The block styled recessed choke points are throwing me off a bit.  Can't see how that will feel comfortable versus the gradual smooth incline of an Aeon.  The look of the industrial ribbed handle with the more decorative emitter give this saber a surprisingly attractive look.  Agree with possibly a new Libby.  However the present Standard Issue just has to be retired.

Would be fantastic if someone (highly photoshop clever and an information junkie) could take all the photos of the prototypes and convention sabers that are currently in public knowledge on the forum and somehow present them together in one thread.    

[hazard502]

It was a nice treat to see your prototype compared to your Aeons, and in fact the light reflecting off of the silver hilts almost makes for the best shot of the black anodizing.  It's a stellar prize for sure! 

I'm a bit on the fence with it.  Large/ornate hilts can be good handlers if done right and if that is their purpose, otherwise best served as display with light duty use.  Everyone needs a workhorse in the stable though and this looks to be it. 

I know the finish on a saber can be a game changer for me, and in my case the Manticore CE is a good example.  Should be interesting to see where US places this hilt in it's offerings, but beauty and function is in the eye of the beholder too.

Congrats!

[CreepySeagulls]

That is spectacular, good for you.

I love that emitter, someone asked earlier if it was removable/MHS and I was also wondering the same thing. I'd love to see some MHS experiments with it if that's the case.

Point for lozenges.