Dark Initiate V5 (Fall Raffle 3rd place winner)

[tx_tuff]

As it states in the title this was a 3rd place winning saber in the Fall Raffle. 3rd place was a random saber with a
Li-ion battery set up. I contacted US and had them add V4 sound to the saber.

So I received the new Initiate V5 in CG. This is a very attractive lower end hilt with reverse claws at the emitter and a MHS pommel with fins that match the claws.

One if the questions being asked is if the claws are removable and if so could they be insert with the claws pointing forward. The answer is no. The claws do not screw off of the emitter and even if they did the groves on the underside that match the me 9 would not allow them to be reversed and put back on.

The hilt also has a grenade type section milled into the middle section of the hilt and under the claws on the emitter. It is a very nice detail for a lower end saber.

Unfortunately with the claws facing down at the top choke point you will not be able to use that section for holding the saber for spinning etc.. But with a glove on I had no problem hooks the saber in this area to spin it. I also found that without gloves you can hold the hilt just below the AV switch and still have plenty of control of it.

There are two things I really don't care for on the saber. First the CG LED, CG just isn't my favorite color blade. So I already order a DVA unit to replace, but I may end up taking the V4 sound out and putting in another hilt. If I do that I will use something else in this saber.

The 2nd thing is the all black hilt. Unfortunately with it being all black you just can't get a good look at all the details put into this saber that make it stand out from the rest. So I plan on do some weathering around all edges of the claws, fins, and grenade areas. That should help it all stand out nicely.

Even though there are these things I don't like I am very happy with the saber and I think the Dark LE and LE versions wouldn't need any work on them because if the color scheme.

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[BatMike90]

Thank you for taking the time to do a review. I will argee the LE and Dark LE would be the ways to go, I don't have one...yet but details need to seen.

[scifidude79]

That's a great looking saber, dude. Thanks for the great write-up.

[imgumby001dammit]

Thanks TX! I’m waiting for one, and this really helps me understand what I’ve gotten into!😛 From day one I had plans for the pommel, but I’m on the fence about the emitter blades. Could you take a pic of the emitter without the blade showing the orientation of the retention screws?

[StoryDtechtive]

That is a nice looking saber. I love all the detail US put into these V5s

[Infinit01]

Congrats on your win, Tx. It looks good and I agree with the all black hilt, it’s hard to see the details so I look forward to seeing it weathered

[tx_tuff]

Thanks TX! I’m waiting for one, and this really helps me understand what I’ve gotten into!😛 From day one I had plans for the pommel, but I’m on the fence about the emitter blades. Could you take a pic of the emitter without the blade showing the orientation of the retention screws?

Not sure why I would need to take out the blade to do the retention screw, unless you mean the mark on the blade. If so I failed LOL. Here is a picture of the screw location, and the inside of the top of the claw. At the bottom of the claw is the same but couldn't get a picture.

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[chalion]

Looks like a compression pin holding the claw in place, instead of a set screw. Or a lock lug. Both of those would not be removable without damaging something.

Would you be able to take another pic with the light from another direction? I ask so it shows the complete pin end. In your pics the shadow conceals some of it.

[Therion Jinn]

Excellent review of this hilt, tx
The pics have me definitely wanting this series of hilt

[imgumby001dammit]

I wasn’t sure if the blades were held on by screws externally or internally. When I get mine I’ll probably be moding it too. Blades will come off for “adjustment “.👍🏽

[tx_tuff]

Looks like a compression pin holding the claw in place, instead of a set screw. Or a lock lug. Both of those would not be removable without damaging something.

Would you be able to take another pic with the light from another direction? I ask so it shows the complete pin end. In your pics the shadow conceals some of it.

I will try again some time this weekend. But with a phone camera and odd angles don't know if I can do better.

I wasn’t sure if the blades were held on by screws externally or internally. When I get mine I’ll probably be moding it too. Blades will come off for “adjustment “.👍🏽

Good luck removing them, I promise you it is not a screw. And whatever it is will be hell getting to at the bottom part of the claws.

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[tx_tuff]

Thanks everybody, I tried to answer all the questions I could.

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[Infinit01]

Sadly, I may get the Sentinel V5 first since they don’t have claws and still look spin friendly

[Edon Bluewolf]

Hmmm interesting, this is one of those that looks better in the dark then.  Since it is a free prize, I guess you can't complain but is your anodizing a little spotty or is that dust?  Also the bottom of the pommel looks a bit rough.  The CG must look different in person cause on your camera it looks great, almost like a mint green.

[tx_tuff]

Hmmm interesting, this is one of those that looks better in the dark then.  Since it is a free prize, I guess you can't complain but is your anodizing a little spotty or is that dust?  Also the bottom of the pommel looks a bit rough.  The CG must look different in person cause on your camera it looks great, almost like a mint green.

The bottom of the pommel has something on it, I worked at it a little with my finger nail but then just took the picture. If you zoom in on those pictures you will see the saber is full of groves (machining marks) and it's like it was wrapped in cellophane or something and that is the "dust" you are seeing. Just looking at the saber you don't see it. And yes the color is for sure CG just coming out a little blue in the picture.

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