Blade type and length for balancepoint on your saber.

[Matth Jedi]

This Topic is about what saber you're familiar with and what blade brand and type you use with a good balance point on the hilt.
Please post your experience here?

I don't take long, but it's helpful for many on the long run.

My son and I like to buy some Ultrasabers for serious dueling.
Now all my other sabers are working SW props with CF Boards in them, so I don't wanna use them for this. I did once and some wires got loose, so I had to send the saber back for repair.
Almost all sabers that I have are 11,5", so it was a bit of a shocker to find out that the  most beatyfull US sabers are over 13".
I'm not really sure if I will like having that size as a showpiece next to the rest, but we shall find out really soon.

I wanted to go for the Emperors Hand, which is more SW prop sized, only the angled version has sold out till September, but we cannot wait that long.
My son is going for the SS Raven.
I will probably go for the Scorpion, maybe the red version,... or not.

If I like this latest US sabers (I own a 1th edition Overlord with Ultraboard 2.1, which was no good at all) and I like the Emerald/Diamond, than more sabers will follow.

To me, I'm curious about the following:
We like to order a US Mid Grade and a US Heavy Grade, but also we will order an Initiate V4.
For people who are formilliar with any of this saber combinations,...
What length do I need for what type of blade, while keeping the balance point on the hilt?
This for the:
-Scorpion
-Raven
-Emperors Hand

Please use this topic for any other combination as well.

[Obese Wan Kenobese]

This post is chalk full of references to other companies that won't want to be mentioned in this way here. The rules say to just call them "Other guys" with no specifics mentioned.

To your question, I have a hilt that is 10" and hilts that are around 12". I find the balance point with a 36" heavy grade is just beyond the end of the hilt of the 12" and well beyond the hilt of the 10". This makes it better balance in the 12". With a 36" mid grade blade, the balance point is right at the edge of the 12" hilt, meaning I can do more spinning and be able to toss and catch, if I choose. With a shorter blade, the balance point can be brought down to the 10" hilt.

To my eye, Luke's saber is probably more like 10" in the films where he holds it with two hands near one another. The 12" makes dueling feel more in control to me. Though it's noticeably bigger, it allows me to space my hands apart.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Most of the larger, more detailed hilts tend to (unsurprisingly) have more weight in the hilt.  As a result, they tend to work better with Heavy Grade blades, to maintain a specific point of balance.  If a full size Heavy Grade blade feels a bit too weighty, there's always the option to try a 32" version (which I often like to use).

I know they're less detailed, but have you considered the lower cost V3 and V4 hilts?  Some are quite nice and more moderately sized, I recommend the Prophecy and Liberator in particular.  Those would be right up your alley for dueling weapons.

[Matth Jedi]

Thank you for the replies.
The Raven and Scorpion are 13,5 and 14,5.
Are 40"  midgrade blades a good compromis, or will they still be too light weighted?

[StarWarsForce]

I personally wouldn't go with 40" blades unless you are well over 6 feet tall. I think 36" blades should be fine, either midgrade or heavy grade. I have a Crimson Reaper (15" long), and with a 36" midgrade blade the balance is an inch below the emitter.

[Matth Jedi]

I get a pritty good picture now, so thank you.
I think balance 1" under the emmiter helps for spinning.

Do you also think 36" for the Scorpion?
The blade disappears in the emitter for 5" in that hilt. Normally only 2".
The scorpion seems to be more heavy than the Raven.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Thank you for the replies.
The Raven and Scorpion are 13,5 and 14,5.
Are 40"  midgrade blades a good compromis, or will they still be too light weighted?

The weight would be ok, but the longer you go with the midgrades, the more they flex.  Personally, I don't much care for the 40" midgrades for this reason (36" is typically as long as I go with those).

[Matth Jedi]

Wow thanks for all the information that I never thought of.
36"  Mid Grades will be it with my order.

I still have some Heavy Grade blades from years ago for when we like to go really crazy, but all 3 of those blades are 36" which are out balance the sabers.
Maybe I cut those to 32" myself.

I really like the shine through tips US are using now. My older blades do not have that.
Can hardly wait to see the saber for real.

[Matth Jedi]

This post is chalk full of references to other companies that won't want to be mentioned in this way here. The rules say to just call them "Other guys" with no specifics mentioned.

My modify link is gone on the firt post. Is that because I already used it once?
Out of respect, I like to delete the mention of other companies.

[Master Nero Attoru]

My modify link is gone on the firt post. Is that because I already used it once?
Out of respect, I like to delete the mention of other companies.

I fixed it for you, all good!

[dobralov]

My two cents.

___

TL;DR: The Raven, Hand, and Scorpion may not be the best choice for dueling sabers due to their size and "greebles." It depends on what you mean by "serious dueling," however. Also, if comfort is your thing, the EH and the Raven are somewhat wanting in that department, though they're BEAUTIFUL to behold.
__

I was an Emperor's Hand owner. I say "was" because although the hilt is beautiful to behold, it's not terribly comfortable to wield. I sold it and replaced it with a War Glaive because I love the sleek design. Scorpion is also a HUGE saber it terms of length (14.5" before claw), which tends to restrict it to one-handed use. To be fair, my Glaive is 13" before claws, and I can still dabble in one-handed - similar to a bastard sword.

If you're looking for "serious dueling" action, then just know the various "greebles" on the EH hilt might interfere with easy handling. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm just saying I was surprised (and somewhat disappointed) to learn I preferred dueling with my sleeker Aeon V4. Doubtless some will disagree.

As for the Raven, which looks awesome, know that the claws are capable of damaging other sabers, hands, and might not hold up to gorilla-style dueling. I know most dueling clubs mandate that Raven-owners remove the claws previous to dueling. I myself wanted a Raven, then read that the "ribs" on the hilt can be somewhat uncomfortable during wielding. I'm a comfort-hilt guy (in case you couldn't already tell), so I passed. Again, this is just personal preference.

Anyway, not trying to rain on your picnic, just some things to consider.

Other stuff:
*Do you prefer one-handed, two-handed, or combo? If one-handed or combo, those hilts are difficult to wield one-handed with any effectiveness.
*I've tried both 32" and 36" blades, and tend to prefer katana-length blades at around 30". Most emitters "swallow" about 2" of the blade, making 32" an ideal choice. 36" is a good choice for sabers (like the Scorpion) that swallow more of the blade.
*Mid-grade blades will stand up to light-to-moderate dueling. Unless you're planning on heavy, go mid-grade. The added weight is significant and they tend to throw off the balance of the blade. This is, of course, personal preference, as I like to switch between one-handed and two-handed dueling.

Whatever you decide, welcome back to US and I hope you share your final decision!

[Matth Jedi]

Hahhhh it is so incredible difficult.
I have a few SW props, but after a few times dualling with those, some wires came loose and I had to send those back for repair.
No dualling with those beautyfull sabers anymore,no no no.

Now, my son wanted to buy his own saber  to overcome that problem, and since I don't dare to dual against him with his saber, I need a worthy lightsaber to protect myself as well for this.
The ultrasabers seems to be very dual worty, and I really hope with the Diamond setup as well.

With serious dualling, I think I ment more of an hack and slash gorilla fighting, and of caurse some spinning to impress the opponent in between (honestly to gain some breath of course).
No matter what diamond saber you buy, the price is about the same, and since we do not buy those often, it is very difficult, not to go for a very good looking saber.

I believe he chooses the Raven, so the anemies run away by only seeing his hilt hahaha.
Normally I automatically overlook the longer hilts and stick around 11,5" but most of the US sabers are around 13".
I believe that serious martial arts guy's and galls are using 13" or more.
Many actors in the SW movies are not so tall I think and probably have small hands
To be honest,... the only SW prop hilt that feels right for two hands is my brass version of Qui Gon Jinn.
The Obi TPM can be used so by holding my second hand all the way down around the pommel.

[dobralov]

The ultrasabers seems to be very dual worty, and I really hope with the Diamond setup as well.

I had one small issue with my Hand where moderate dueling cracked the battery housing. US repaired it at no personal expense, then sent it back with a tighter fit.

The sabers will hold up - it's just about balancing comfort vs. aesthetics.

Also, if you're buying heavy blades, best get some lacrosse gloves and eye protection. Those heavies hurt like a bastard and I even bloodied my brother's eye with a mid-grade. Would be easy to break a finger or crack a skull with those!

[Matth Jedi]

Whoooh, I believe I have to keep my son restrained.
Maybe it is not so bad when he has a very beautyfull hilt.
I think it might be helpfull.