Here's my Shock review.
"There are many like it, but this one is mine..."
-----Timing/Turnaround-----Ultrasabers has a redonkulous turnaround time.
In less than 24 hours from my order, it was out the door and on its way. It only took 2 days to reach my city here in the "Great White North".
Unfortunately for me,
FedEx here is...well, absolute poodoo. Had I not gotten an e-mail notification, I'd have never known my parcel arrived.
No memos or post-its. Parcel also didn't arrive anywhere near the estimated time (which was 5pm).
FedEx apparently attempted drop-off at 11am on a weekday, which hurts the part of my brain that enjoys logic.
I ended up having to wait the weekend, and take an epic journey into the fiery peaks of Mordor (the industrial sector, which is in the middle of nowhere), to collect my package.
(I think I even passed some midget named "Frodo" on his way there too. He was trying to return some jewelry...or something...)
None of this is
Ultrasabers' fault - but from my research,
FedEx isn't terribly great in my province.
-----Packing------Packed up snug-as-a-bug.
Each individual piece was bubble-wrapped, then wrapped again in another bubble wrap cocoon, and tightly packed in a narrow cardboard box - seams all sealed up with tape.
-----Finish-----The
Shock comes in several finishes - polished chrome, Dark (black with chrome cutouts), and Limited Edition (chrome with gold-ish anodized cutouts).
I went with the polished chrome, and I think it looks exceptional. Clean and sleek. And what's even nicer - is that the metal doesn't seem to get fingerprinty from being handled. The pictures on the site do not do justice to how great it looks. Though, the pommel is slightly different than the one pictured on the site.
With a silver anti-vandal switch, it looks (and feels) even better.
Absolutely top-notch machining and polishing.
-----Details-----A simple, yet elegant design (which appeals to me, personally), that focuses on numerous grooves - both intruding, and extruding outwards. This gives the 'saber a bit of traction in the hand, but without it feeling terribly rough.
A covertec knob comes standard, located on the right-side of the hilt - which I think is a bit problematic. It doesn't get in the way, but it does pose a few problems depending on which handedness you are.
In my own opinion, with any 'saber design, symmetry must dictate the positioning of the belt ring or covertec hanger.
In the Shock's current position, a left-handed user has best access to the activation button when cross-drawing - with a right-handed user having to use their index finger (as opposed to their thumb) to hit the activation button.
If the knob were placed on the completely opposite side of the activation button (90 degrees from where it is by default) - neither right, nor left-handed users would have to worry about how they'd have to adjust the drawing of the lightsaber based on where it is.
My way, no one gets a perfect draw - but no one is favored, either.
I consider this a bit of a design flaw.
-----Light and Sound-----
I got the Emerald RGBW feature and tested with a standard blade, and Ultrablade. Depending on the color chosen, the blade is quite bright, capable of illuminating a room with either blade-type. Even darker colors are vibrant and strong.
Personally, I recommend the Ultrablade. Though with both types, there is a small area at the tip that doesn't possess the film to diffuse/reflect the light there.
Could a hollowed tip and a clouded paint or glue application possibly solve this?
Sound volume is quite loud, And I'm sure my neighbors might soon develop some issues with me swinging it around un-muted.
(Thankfully, I have the blinds drawn so no one can see that I'm sometimes doing it in my underpants. Seriously, don't imagine that.)
I particularly like the default
Obsidian soundfont - but find the others a bit lackluster. Some default fonts feel very out of place.
-----Handling-----Here's where I might come off a bit harsh on the
Shock - because I happen to find it rather problematic to wield.
If you happen to be Wookiee-sized, this might not be as much of an issue for you - but I find many MHS parts-compatible 'sabers to be a bit over-sized - both in length, and diameter.
I'm of average height (6') and overall build, And I find this 'saber to be too large for my hands. I can literally close 4 widths of my hands from the lip of the emitter, down the body, to the pommel.
That's at least 1.5 (maybe closer to 1.75) inches too long, in my opinion.
(Or I might have to change my name to "Babyhands O'Herlihy".)
Given the shape of the emitter, The choke point is about 3 inches below the edge of the emitter. After experimenting with a few different MHS emitters I had lying around, I discovered that (for me, at least) my perfect balance point is about 1.5 inches up from where the default machined one is on the upper body.
In that spot, any awkwardness/sluggishness in handling goes away. But given the bulbous shape of the default emitter - that "sweet spot" can't really be utilized.
Using 2 hands seems to work well enough. But even then, the 'saber just doesn't respond with the balance and agility you might expect.
-----Closing Thoughts-----I think it might make for a great prop for a costume, or art piece on a shelf or mantel.
As for duelling, I would encourage against it.
Mostly because it's a bit ungainly, and too gorgeous to want to bash it around.
If you have daintier hands I'd highly recommend the
Initiates and/or
Apprentices. They fit my hands ridiculously well, and have closer to proper lightsaber proportions.
-----Final Grade-----7/10
Pros:-Amazing turnaround and delivery time.
-Exceptional detailing and finish.
-Solid construction.
-Good sound quality.
-Good blade brightness.
Cons:-Much too large for smaller hands.
-Shape of emitter can make handling awkward.
-Covertec placement not ideal for everyone.
-Out of the several default sound fonts, only the
Obsidian one seems to "fit".
