Saber Forum

So I bought a V3 phantom, cause I think it looks awesome and would be a great platform to build my personal saberstaff from, and there's a few things I really like about it, but also a few things I don't.  But lets start with some pics


(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1948.jpg)




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1949.jpg)




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1947.jpg)



For my purposes, I'm going to be re-wiring the whole thing anyway (not that it needs it, but I plan to add a PC and some other stuff to it), so I just bought the base model, cause all I really care about is the hilt itself.  And it's even more pretty in person, A++ for design.  From here, I'd like to break the review up into two parts.  Seeing as most people will be purchasing this saber without intentions of rewiring it, I will review the saber as a whole.



THE GOOD:

It's quite pretty, as previously stated.  The double chokes are not only functional, but also really help to break up the overall look of the hilt(s)

The chokes really do provide really nice hand grips, both as single sabers and as a saber staff

It's really bright, as with all ultrasabers, but what would you expect?  :)

(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1956.jpg)


(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1957.jpg)


It has a nice solid feel to it as single sabers

It's most definitely durable

The price is certainly good at only $130

The anodizing is quite durable




THE NOT SO GOOD:

When you put the two halves together, IT WEIGHS A TON!!!!  The two hilts attached are over 900 grams, which is quite heavy to be spinning around even without the blades.  I did get used to it after a few days, and it is certainly doable, but not easy.  When using two hands on the staff it's fine, but one handed twirls and such are a challenge, and I've been doing all types of staff combat for quite a good number of years.


Weight (in grams) of standard Liberator V2 (just has some grip material and thumbscrew added) compared to standard Dominix V3.  The numbers speak for themselves.




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1953.jpg)




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1954.jpg)



It's much thicker then the Dominix V2, like a ton thicker.  I understand why, cause it's MHS compatible, and MHS hilts are just about the same thickness as the new Dominix, and more room was needed internally for the soundcard and such to be able to fit, but it's still rather annoying being used to the grip of a sleeker saber to then pick this one up, for it's much prettier then it's predecessor, but also more clumsy.  Not to say your hands can't fit around it, cause they can just fine, but if you're used to thinner sabers, it's just annoying IMO.


(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1951.jpg)

Dominix V3 size comparison to Dominix V2 and Liberator V2




So that's basically it.  Overall, I do like the hilt, and it is a good saber, but there are certainly a few annoyances with it.  Also, figured I throw in a few pics on starting the customizations, as I think it brings out the beauty of the saber much better:




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1961.jpg)




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1960.jpg)




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1959.jpg)




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1964.jpg)




(http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj129/icetyrant22/IMG_1963.jpg)

Nice customize. How was it done if you don't mind sharing?

Its like an Aeon LE with black grooves! Really like that you've done to it. I was already happy that you went blue with a black hilt. But taking of the anodizing makes it that much better. Great work! Here is your point  ;D

It was done using a belt sander, though normal sandpaper would have the same effect, just take longer.

Awesome saber and what you did at the end is something I haven't seen done before.

The weight is the trade off, a little extra hilt and room for trustfires vs no trustfires. ;D

Like you said though it's something your muscles will get used to.

Point, enjoy.

Thanks for the review and I am very glad that you enjoy your Ultrasaber. The customizations you made look great!

I have to wholeheartedly disagree with it being to heavy or too thick or annoying to wield.  The choke points on the hilt make his saber great to wield, much better than the Dominix v2, in my opinion.  Also, aircraft aluminum is one of the sturdiest and lightest metals we could possibly use. Considering his is TWO sabers combined, it is very lightweight.

I love the new v3 series. They opened up all new possibilities for our most basic sabers and they have much more of the look and feel of a real weapon worthy of wielding.

My Dominix v3 will be here on Tuesday! And I don't have to work!!!  8) Anyway I'm interested to find out how these feel. The only other ultrasaber I've held is a v2 standard issue so I'm excited!

Yes, the choke points are nice, but is much thicker then the V2 hilts, which is annoying when your used to them, and the same with the weight.  I've used Dominix v2 staffs, and this staff is more then twice the weight because of the thickness of the hilt, thats a fact.  This also means it moves much slower during spinning, and takes much more energy to use, meaning you get tired faster.  I still like it, and plan to use it for years to come once I finish the mods I have planned, but I do wish it were lighter.

I have the standard Phantasm V3 with UEHG, It is definantly a heavier saber, but I'm sure once you go out and have a little more bonding time it will grow on you and be much more fast than you think ;D I'm jealous of this custom job, does the metal just end up that smooth and polished after you belt sand it?

Ice... Lightside points to you for the customizations that you made. You took what was (to me IMHO) a rather plain color scheme and made it much more interesting. Like, by 10 times! Great job.

Thanks for the review as well. It was very well written and the pictures helped a ton! Please be sure to share with us the progress on your custom work. I can't wait to see how it ends up!

Good review. As to the weight, to each their own. I love heavy weapons. I would have liked to try the steel sabers. When I was charging my batteries and wanted to train, I grabbed a five foot steel pole. I find my brother's Dominix V3 to be quite nicely weighted personally, but as I said, everyone has different taste.

Yup.  It's a rather fine grit sandpaper, so it takes a few minutes to strip the anodizing completely, but it does end up nice and smooth everywhere.

Looks great, I like the customization.

I do have to disagree on the weight thing for a couple of reasons.

The earlier dominix models, and initiates, i found were TOO thin, same with the liberator v2. Ive tried using a freinds versions of each of these, and because of how little weight is in the hilt, i found the balance with a heavy grade blade is very off.

That and with how thin they are, they really felt off to me. But then again ive got a domv3, a guardian, a graflex, and a dark prophecy so, ive been using so many different grips and hilts lol.

I am personally a big fan of the double-bladed style, and that hilt looks to be extremely comfortable for that, especially with that choke.

Yes I quite agree. My next saber is going to be a double bladed stunt of some kind.

Love it! Dont be surprised if you see something similar to it soon, maybe with some different tweaks! ;D ;) Point for you!

Nice. I like the custom job also. Now I'm more tempted to get a v3 of some type. Maybe an Aeon. Not really sure though.