Review: My new saberstaff and the Dark War Consular

[Xanedan]

To preface, tonight was my first time messing with a staff of any type in an open area - which sort of left me feeling like this.



Also, I got out to the park and then realized that my remote shutter release for my camera was still in my other jacket, and the battery was on it's last bar.  I had like 30 seconds of video split between two reviews.  So more photos and video to follow. 

First off, the saber staff. As previously mentioned in other threads, it's comprised of an LE Dark Initiate + LE Initiate sporting DVA and SY.

10/10 off the bat on the looks.  The LE Initiate was the second saber I purchased from Ultra a few months back, and I immediately fell in love with the compact design and striking gold finish.  It matches well to it's sithier brother and the dark and light hilts combined for a neat effect as do the colors which compliment each other quite nicely, while still being definite opposites.  Also, Sentinel Yellow and Dark Violet Amethyst are my two favorite colors offered up by Ultra.

The handling is...not something I'm used to.  And I think I need longer blades on it, it's currently sporting initiate length which need replacing anyway because I have the worst luck with initiate blades.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlsIkhidEEU" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlsIkhidEEU</a>

(Also I'm just really mean to my sabers.  The gorilla glue is a temporary fix.)

I imagine longer sabers make better staffs, I keep wanting to put my hands further apart.  Anyway, this is of little import because with a few quick adjustments I have this in my hands, which feels amazing enough that I'm looking up martial arts schools in Boston that might teach me to become more proficient in fighting with two short blades.  The second I felt the grip and weight of these things in my hands I was hooked.  Just superb, like they're an extension of my arm.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_lmU_e2uuM" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_lmU_e2uuM</a>

So did I say saberstaff?  I meant saber pair, sorry to mislead. 

These two, despite being the cheapest things on Ultra's roster, are definitely going to get the most use by me.  An unbelievably good purchase.  My only regret is they don't have covertec clips, because if I ever put together a con costume, these are going to be with me (looking for some sort of leather rig for them currently). 

But until then, I've got something impressive to wear on my belt...

The Dark War Consular. I actually bought this a while back, but only recently received the war glaive emitter.  It usually sports CG or SY.

This thing looks mean.  Meaner than my Raven.  Heck, it looks more dangerous without a blade in it than it does with.  I'm actually a little afraid to wear it on my belt out in public because I imagine people will think I'm equipped with medieval weaponry.  With a blade in it, from the wrong angle, it looks distinctly alien and grim.  Consular Green fits it so well, but not because it's a Qui-Gon base.  It works because it looks monstrous.  Cthulhu stirs, and he's cooking up light sabers down there in R'lyeh.



So the looks, great.  The glaive emitter doesn't match exactly to the consular but it's not really noticeable.  But how does it handle?  Well...I find the grip a bit off.  Something about the different levels due to the shroud, oh wait the shroud is removable?  Well then. 



Still looking good.

Similar to my Raven I alter this saber a bit when I actually want to swing it.  Without the shroud it is super comfortable, with nice deep contours for the grip and plenty of room for two handed wielding.  Equal to my V3 Aeon in comfort, I'd say.  Which is definitely a good thing.

I haven't bought a product from Ultra yet that I wouldn't recommend.  As I place my sixth (!) saber from these guys up on the wall, that still stands true.  Although I probably won't shut up about dual wielding initiate V2's for a while, they all have their place in my "arsenal". 

[faheyb]

Very nice!! I have to get me a staff!! Way jealous.  The colors compliment nicely too!  Well done!  I've been looking at the staffs for a while and I think you are right that longer blades are needed for a full grown person.

[Xanedan]

I'll try it with some 36" blades tonight, but that's all I have for now.  36" seems a bit too long, I think 32" is what most people prefer for staffs. 

[Master Nero Attoru]

I'll try it with some 36" blades tonight, but that's all I have for now.  36" seems a bit too long, I think 32" is what most people prefer for staffs. 

Yeah I kinda think the 36" are over the top for staves.  I use the 32" ones and I'm like 6'2".

That Dark War Consular really is mean looking!  I see what you were saying about the green making it more evil.

[Xanedan]

I should really just invest in some tools to cut down my own blades.  Especially with my tendency to break them. 

[Xanedan]

I've taken a lot more video, but have been too busy at work to process it yet.  Did get one up this morning, part of a nerdy early morning work out.  Dark War Consular in SY, regular heavy grade blade. 

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sq8krd-g5Y" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sq8krd-g5Y</a>

[Faa-Yal Dragu]

most impressive. the force is stong with you and your saber skills...

[Xanedan]

Thanks, it means a lot coming from someone as skilled as yourself.  Your videos are very educational.

A few more videos up.  Probably the last as my next pair of sabers should be arriving in a day or two.

A bit more dual wielding with initiate V2's.  Probably sold a couple of ultra sabers showing this video at work.  I tend to mimic my dominant hand with the offhand, and I tried to break that habit a bit in this video, attacking with both but only twirling one or the other.  Still a work in progress.  Must practice more.  Most proud of that moment around 10 seconds where I just decided to go all out on the figure 8's and pray that I didn't accidentally break my face.  Turned out well.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je4VCO60HUc" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je4VCO60HUc</a>

Two handed Initiate V2.  Zren Tobas actually asked whether this was comfortable, which gave me the idea to try it.  I was pretty surprised at the results.  It feels a little weird, but you sure can go fast.  36" regular midgrade.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pse-5t2TalI" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pse-5t2TalI</a>

Dual wielding 36" midgrades with Initiate V2's.  Not exactly comfortable, but possible.  Forgot to adjust my focus on this one, but you can still see the blades at least.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH5sjADVrYA" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH5sjADVrYA</a>

[Solinus]

Very impressive saber skills! The purple and the yellow saber colors compliment each other very well.

I've been all over the net looking for techniques in various styles of saber combat. I've found a lot, and I am focusing on the Juyo form. It's a single bladed form based on powerful and quick attacks. I have a LOT of practicing to do, but I want to eventually put a video up when I feel ready.

Good job to you!

[Stockton]

Ah! Did those blades come like that or did you break them? lol

[Xanedan]

Very impressive saber skills! The purple and the yellow saber colors compliment each other very well.

I've been all over the net looking for techniques in various styles of saber combat. I've found a lot, and I am focusing on the Juyo form. It's a single bladed form based on powerful and quick attacks. I have a LOT of practicing to do, but I want to eventually put a video up when I feel ready.

Good job to you!

Thank you, and yes - that's my favorite color combo.  Have a fully decked out saber pair coming in the same colors.  My "style" at this point is chaining together poses that I see in movies with heavy cinematic swings and flourishes along with some mild hand tricks of my own invention.  I've been meaning to study some of the official styles a bit more.  My focus is speed and powerful attacks, so I was thinking Juyo myself, or Vaapad.  Looking forward to your videos.

Ah! Did those blades come like that or did you break them? lol

I broke them.  Two initiate blades, a midgrade and a shattered battery pack so far.  Not Ultra's fault, I just need to quit practicing on hard flooring.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Thank you, and yes - that's my favorite color combo.  Have a fully decked out saber pair coming in the same colors.  My "style" at this point is chaining together poses that I see in movies with heavy cinematic swings and flourishes along with some mild hand tricks of my own invention.  I've been meaning to study some of the official styles a bit more.  My focus is speed and powerful attacks, so I was thinking Juyo myself, or Vaapad.  Looking forward to your videos.

Just keep in mind that the main idea behind Juyo and Vaapad is the mindset - the fast and powerful attacks are merely a result of one's darker emotions being channeled.  Juyo does this through fully embracing them, whereas Vaapad uses them as fuel without allowing them control.

In terms of simple aggression, there's also Ataru - people often forget that you don't have to flip around like Yoda to use this form

[Deep]

Gonna throw up a video later today called "A tip for blade tips" that will prevent that from happening.

Basically take a bit of clear tape (Invisible Tape, Packing Tape, Scotch Tape, etc) or Masking Tape if you don't mind seeing it while you duel (sabers are so bright it shines right through it anyway) and put it over the top of the blade tip.  This will keep the tip from flying off during performances and duels and absolutely no one will no its there.

Now, keep in mind the tip has to already be properly glued in (the way we ship them top you).  You can't just take a loose tip and tape it on your blade, it won't stay on 

But a small amount of tape over the top reinforces the tip in place and prevents pesky fly offs when you are performing or dueling.  And again, no one ever knows its there.



And of course, use heavy grade blades for dueling. 

[Solinus]

Just keep in mind that the main idea behind Juyo and Vaapad is the mindset - the fast and powerful attacks are merely a result of one's darker emotions being channeled.  Juyo does this through fully embracing them, whereas Vaapad uses them as fuel without allowing them control.

In terms of simple aggression, there's also Ataru - people often forget that you don't have to flip around like Yoda to use this form

Some of the advocates of Juyo are Darth Maul, Vrook Lamar, and Galen Marek (Starkiller from TFU games). Juyo attack sequences are fast, furious, and filled with rage fueled from the Dark Side. Unfortunately, the downside is that if your opponent can outlast you using a defensive form such as Shii-Cho, they will be able to gain the upper hand. One technique that many Juyo practitioners will use to throw their opponents off is chain 3 or 4 attacks together then pause, breaking the chain. This throws your opponent off, as they are expecting another attack.

Vaapad is almost a mirror image of Juyo, in that it also uses a fast and aggresive sequence of attacks, but without the rage and emotion found in Juyo practitioners. While Juyo has a clear ready stance, Vaapad is said to not have one simply because the user is moving so fast as to appear to be everywhere. But just as Xanedan stated, it's all in the mindset. Juyo users will be clearly driven by rage while Vaapad users will appear calm.

I love these two forms!!

[Master Nero Attoru]

Gonna throw up a video later today called "A tip for blade tips" that will prevent that from happening.

Basically take a bit of clear tape (Invisible Tape, Packing Tape, Scotch Tape, etc) or Masking Tape if you don't mind seeing it while you duel (sabers are so bright it shines right through it anyway) and put it over the top of the blade tip.  This will keep the tip from flying off during performances and duels and absolutely no one will no its there.

Now, keep in mind the tip has to already be properly glued in (the way we ship them top you).  You can't just take a loose tip and tape it on your blade, it won't stay on 

But a small amount of tape over the top reinforces the tip in place and prevents pesky fly offs when you are performing or dueling.  And again, no one ever knows its there.



And of course, use heavy grade blades for dueling. 

Good to know Deep, I'll try that on a couple of mine.  I'll have my brother do the same... he has a knack for knocking off tips...