Ok, giving this another shot, though seeing all those thoughts I wrote down the first time, just lost like......tears in the rain....is still irritating. Anyway, on with the reviews. Below is the link I posted in the Gallery thread, but I thought it might be nice to repeat here for reference.
https://picasaweb.google.com/100269279489461982966/LightSabersInitiate V3 - This is actually my son's saber. He found the UltraSabers site, and spent his own money to buy it. When we got it, I was SO impressed with it, I knew I had to have one of my own (which I did soon afterward - see Raven review). The Initiate V3 can best be described as pure elegance in simplicity. There is no better way to put it. The lines are clean, but not delicate. The two choke points provide great places to grip when dueling. Its balance point seems just forward of the tip of the hilt (with the standard length, Heavy Grade blade). It is the smallest hilt that US offers, if I am not mistaken, but that does not take anything away from its dueling potential. It is a fantastic saber to look at, as well as fight with. Ours has a Guardian Blue blade, and uses the default Obsidian sound set. With the "see through" style pommel, the sound from the speaker comes through loud, and clear. In fact the first time I powered it up, it actually startled me! Some might avoid this model, simple because they would assume that the least expensive, smallest hilt in the lot would not be a worthy addition to their arsenal. I disagree! I believe this hilt would make a fine addition to any collection, and I know my son feels the same way.
Archon V2 - This is actually the latest addition to our collection, but it has already become my favorite, for a number of reasons. First, even in the default configuration (which is a close approximation of Luke's ROTJ saber), it is a beautiful saber. You could go with any blade color (denoting Force affiliation), and it would work just as well. A Jedi could wield this hilt with any of the standard colors, as could a Sith with a red, or purple blade. It just works! However, because of its ability change emitters with ease, you can go a couple of different directions, as I did. If you looked at the picture, you saw I did go with a red blade, which looks great with the hilt. But, add a vented coupler as I did, and it takes a neutral saber, and leans it more towards to dark side (if the red blade was not enough to do that). Go the extra step of replacing the emitter, and neck with a War Glaive emitter, and you have fallen completely, with no way back! Combined with the Sith sound set (think Darth Maul's buzzsaw sounding saber effects), no Jedi would come near this thing! Also, this saber duels every bit as good as it looks. The balance is fantastic, and it feels equally good no matter if you prefer a one handed, or two handed grip. Plenty of room for both. The lighted AV switch is a little flatter than the standard guarded switch, so it does not really get in the way when repositioning your hands. A word of caution if you go with the vented coupler option. It is a little bigger around than the hilt, and the edges are a bit rough on the hands when swinging it around. Not to the point of breaking the skin, but a bit uncomfortable in a two hand configuration. The standard neck, and the War Glaive configurations are my preferred styles for dueling. Both are comfortable all the way up. As I said, this saber quickly became my favorite for all these reasons. I think anyone considering this saber should have no second thoughts about it, and it would become the jewel in your collection, as it has mine.
Raven - What can you say about this bad mutha? This is truly the "broadsword" of light sabers! If memory serves, I believe it is the biggest hilt US makes, other than staffs. This is definitely a two handed saber. When you hold this saber in your hand, it FEELS like you are holding a weapon, and the claws only accentuate that feeling. If you are strong, you can one hand it for a time, but it will wear you out quickly. Not that I consider any of that a bad thing. I knew it was big before I ordered it. Still, for being as large as it is, it handles very well. The Violet Amethyst blade (Ultra-Edge Heavy Grade) accentuates the badness, and the Blackstar sound set adds the evil finishing touch. The raised grips on the hilt provide a solid grip, though they can grate on your hands a bit, if you go at it for an extended battle. Easily the most imposing saber that US makes, the Raven holds the highes jaw dropping potential of any of my three sabers, without a doubt. People are usually drawn to the size, and simplicity of the Initiate; to the sculptured beauty of the Archon, but the Raven is the one that usually elicits an honest "Wholly Crap!" from anyone who sees it. They just have to pick it up, and ignite the blade. When they do, you can just see the Dark side cast its shadow over them.
Once I have spent some more time with each of them, I will likely have more insights to share. But, for now what I can say is, I love all three of them; each for different reasons.
