What's the difference between the Blade types? What's the best blade type?

[pvcaddict]

After spending some time with both of my sabers, which are BR and GB, I've formed my opinion on UE and MG blades. I know this has all been said before, but I figured that one more opinion and point of view wouldn't hurt. Especially if it's to help someone in the process of buying their first US. (Assuming this doesn't confuse them even more.) 

I'll also preface this by saying that I made my comparison in a pitch dark room in the middle of the night without any other light source to obscure or uncalibrate my vision.

Anyway.

For BR, ALWAYS MG.

UE blades really dull out the red to a pastel. The brightness is also unimpressive. BR in UE makes the saber look like one giant crayon or an aircraft marshalling wand.

MG blades make the red look more electric and, as others have said, give it this certain grainy haze that is reminiscent to the appearance of sabers in the original trilogy.


For GB, it really comes down to personal preference. One must look at the color in both UE and MG to make a decision. I can't simplify the answer more than that, unfortunately.

I personally prefer MG, and I was on the fence for quite some time.

MG gives the blue a more electric and alive appearance, but you also sacrifice a wider and fuller blade that you would get from an UE blade.

UE gives you the ocular perception of a fuller blade, but it gives the blue a more pastel and playful appearance.

The difference in brightness is negligible. In my opinion, one should consider the physical appearance and attributes of the blade, not the brightness. Do you want a fuller and wider (and possibly a brighter) looking blade or do you want a blade with more depth and realism while maybe sacrificing some brightness?

My final $0.02, MG is the way to go. It gives the color you choose a lot more realism and DEPTH, which I find is more important than anything else. Even if at times it means sacrificing some brightness. Besides, I don't think many of us own an instrument that can determine lux and lumens anyway. (Also, for those that don't already know, wattage has NO necessary correlation with brightness. Wattage only means how much energy the appliance is utilizing. Always look for lumens and lux for your light intensity and brightness. If you wish to know a little more about this, shoot me a PM. I've been keeping aquatic plants and corals for some time now which forced me to do extensive research on the subject. Online articles can get confusing.)

I hope this helps those of you that may need a second or third or fourth opinion. 

[Groovidad]

I agree with PVC on this.  MG is what I order.

[Inzane]

I'm still struggling with the blade type dilemma (MG or UE) for the following colors:
Bane's Heart
Violet Amethyst
Dark Violet Amethyst

What say you all?

(Note:  For the colors I currently own I'm definitely on team BR = MG and SRD = UE.  For GB I could go either way, but slightly leaning MG.)

[Racona Nova]

I would say MG is better for those colours, especially for VA and DVA. I own a DVA module myself, and it looks quite good in UE, but MG is the better choice.

[Groovidad]

I'm still struggling with the blade type dilemma (MG or UE) for the following colors:
Bane's Heart
Violet Amethyst
Dark Violet Amethyst

What say you all?

(Note:  For the colors I currently own I'm definitely on team BR = MG and SRD = UE.  For GB I could go either way, but slightly leaning MG.)

Brother, I have UE and MG's. I have swapped out blades on each of the following colors:  BR, VA, FO, SRD, SY, GB, CG, AB and AS.  Though I like the "fullness" projected by the UE, I always go back to the MG for it's "Electirc" appearance.  A matter of my eyes and taste, I believe.  The MG's appear to shimmer more which is most likely a result of the reflective film they insert in the MG's. I really dig that electric appearance! Yeah, I'm definately a MG Padawan!

[ArtifaX]

I'm planning to get VA or DVA and it seems that people tend to say that UE are a bit worse on those colors...
But my main dilemma is between heavy and mid... I plan to do some sparing and some spinning with it with my brother. Not sure how much force we will put in our blows(might get pretty nasty=) )
So, how strong and "bending" the mid grade is and how heavy the heavy one is and what would you generally recommend?
And finally the length... I'm 5'11 and my brother is 5'6. Should we both settle for 32' or i might be more comfortable with a longer one?
Thank you.

[Caylem]

I've heard that the heavygrade is twice the weight than the normal MG. For you, a 36'' would be good i think, but for your brother, i would recommand a 32''. I'm 6'2.5'' and have no problem with a 36''. Maybe an opinion from a smaller member would be more accurate.

[ArtifaX]

I've heard that the heavygrade is twice the weight than the normal MG.

Yeah, but they never said what is the weight exactly i believe... For example, if the handle is say 5 kilo and blades are 0.5 and 1 than it doesnt really matter. (hopefully handle and blade must be around the same weight)
I have a couple of real steel katanas that i play arround with, so i'm just trying to understand how heavy it might be=)

[wargame_insomniac]

But my main dilemma is between heavy and mid... I plan to do some sparing and some spinning with it with my brother. Not sure how much force we will put in our blows(might get pretty nasty=) )
So, how strong and "bending" the mid grade is and how heavy the heavy one is and what would you generally recommend?
And finally the length... I'm 5'11 and my brother is 5'6. Should we both settle for 32' or i might be more comfortable with a longer one?
Thank you.

For cheaper Stunt-Mid level Sabers I have gone for Heavy Grade. They can take more punishment and don't have to worry too much about them.

Most people recommend either duelling MG versus MG OR HG versus HG. DON'T mi MG versus HG.

On length I prefer 32"  if spinning or using single handed.   I'm also 5'11" and I find that my 36" blade is more likely to catch on ground on downward spins, thus adversely affecting my technique.

Cheers

James

[Nerdicus]

Does anyone know the thicknesses of the blade types? Like, what is the thickness of midgrade blades?

[Groovidad]

Yeah, but they never said what is the weight exactly i believe... For example, if the handle is say 5 kilo and blades are 0.5 and 1 than it doesnt really matter. (hopefully handle and blade must be around the same weight)
I have a couple of real steel katanas that i play arround with, so i'm just trying to understand how heavy it might be=)

I don't have one, currently BUT, a kitchen scale would work great in getting the weight of blades.  I will comment that I did some competitive speed shooting (handgun) about 15 yrs ago.  Weight had EVERYTHING to do with bringing muzzle on target.  The "speed guns" are modified to make them as "light" as possible, while maintaining the integrity of the firearm.  Grams, ounces matter!  I can tell the differences in weight between MG and UE. Further, when you run between 32" and 36", well.....that's a given, as you know it will weigh more.  To some, the weight may be imperceptable yet, hilt, blade length, pommel, emmitters all add and switching between different blades of differing configuration will make a difference in "how" it is wielded during spins.  Is it critical to wielding, only if your life depended upon it!

[Master Nero Attoru]

My rule of thumb is, if you're going so hard that you "need" Heavy Grade, then you should be wearing extensive gear to prevent injury.  Otherwise, stick to midgrade (unless of course you like the balance of a Heavy Grade specifically)

[raunchyruss]

Hello people, glad to be on the board!

I hope you do not mind answering a few questions from a new guy like me.

1. So I plan to go for Arbiter or Dark Arbiter, but did not see any details regarding it's weight (the hilt itself). If someone has any information I'd love to know it.

2. Also I see TRI option for color (I am considering Fire Orange). So as I understood it just packs three diodes instead of one, and how exactly does that affect the output? Does it make the blade more bright or even? I do not need Flash on Clash option, my goal is to have it as bright as even as possible.

3. However despite #2 I plan to go for UEHG blade. It's not that I plan on heavy dueling, I just have bad luck on breaking stuff and thus prefer durability in general. I've found some comparison and as I can see HG blades are not as heavy as I thought weighing only 11 oz. I am 5 ft. 10 in. height and engage in regular physical exercise, so it should not be an issue. Will Fire Orange be good with TRI on UEHG or regular HG blade? (I can order both).

Thanks in advance!

[Drahcir]

Hello people, glad to be on the board!

I hope you do not mind answering a few questions from a new guy like me.

1. So I plan to go for Arbiter or Dark Arbiter, but did not see any details regarding it's weight (the hilt itself). If someone has any information I'd love to know it.

2. Also I see TRI option for color (I am considering Fire Orange). So as I understood it just packs three diodes instead of one, and how exactly does that affect the output? Does it make the blade more bright or even? I do not need Flash on Clash option, my goal is to have it as bright as even as possible.

3. However despite #2 I plan to go for UEHG blade. It's not that I plan on heavy dueling, I just have bad luck on breaking stuff and thus prefer durability in general. I've found some comparison and as I can see HG blades are not as heavy as I thought weighing only 11 oz. I am 5 ft. 10 in. height and engage in regular physical exercise, so it should not be an issue. Will Fire Orange be good with TRI on UEHG or regular HG blade? (I can order both).

Thanks in advance!

I'll let someone else tackle question 1, I don't know the answer to that one. I do know the Arbiter is pretty large though.

2. The Tri setup gives you a slightly brighter blade - Emory said that it vastly improves the Fire Orange color though giving a fuller looking blade, so I'd definitely opt for it if that's the color you want.

3. UEHG vs HG comes down to personal preference honestly, I always recommend standard HG for Fire Orange though.

[raunchyruss]

I'll let someone else tackle question 1, I don't know the answer to that one. I do know the Arbiter is pretty large though.

2. The Tri setup gives you a slightly brighter blade - Emory said that it vastly improves the Fire Orange color though giving a fuller looking blade, so I'd definitely opt for it if that's the color you want.

3. UEHG vs HG comes down to personal preference honestly, I always recommend standard HG for Fire Orange though.

Hey, many thanks for the reply! I probably will order both HG and UEHG blades, one that I will like less will be for practicing.
Also the large length of the arbiter is mostly the reason I want it. It's long, gives enough leverage and is simple, which I prefer in designs.

Also, I probably ask a question one million people asked already, but will they make the tip of the blade illuminated as well? As I understood illuminated tip gives you bright end of the blade, and considering that the light is diminished towards middle/end, the blade with illuminated tip appears to be less bright at the middle than at the tip and near the emitter, am I right?
I have actually started to think about TRI color to compensate this.

And what if I decide to get an emerald drive? Can it be more bright akin to TRI, or that depends on other factors? If yes, which ones?