TOPIC: V1 Archon SF|Story..... Pt III

All my recent efforts, attempts of DIY Customisingsy had a purpose, a lead-up to a very special project Hilt that has been in the making (planning).
Presenting..

Standard Finish Archon (DIY’d) 12Watt+ QC Cyan

This particular Hilt ranks extremely high on the personal favourites above many within my Collection. A jewel, gazed upon in awe and as recipient of wonder and admiration. It even challenges my Custom polished Etched GrandMaster Single as a worthy rival. The GM is an extraordinary Hilt but my involvement with that was solely on a planning one (and entrusting blind confidence & faith) with trying to achieve the vision of what I had imagined. Born from Customs (Dec15/Jan16) it was the direct result, execution and delivery led by the former SF-QuarterMaster, Justin Polachek. But this isn’t about GrandMaster, it’s about…

… Archon resonates a different energy of joy and accomplishment and is held dear sentimentally for the very reason that the modifications applied to it as part of my customisingsy wave were executed by myself. This research began almost 7Months ago, when I was still very new to the Saber scene and Hilt Industry. Archon has a unique quality surrounding its design however I always felt and firmly believed that in its default factory form, was like a flawed diamond that needed some careful attentiveness, polishing and tempering of the jaggered state as it stood. Something identified as great could be made even greater.

Following =Ottomatix=’s Custom Archon Project, my intrigue grew and many more questions spawned as comprehension started to take shape. Hours of research through online tutorials and through practice sessions trialling the applications has (I remain hopeful) paid-off. The difference though, whilst my competence is minimal at best electronically (hand steadiness thing or lack-of), I still opted for a loaded Hilt (compared to an Initiate) to isolate my customisingsyness to the Hilt body only, but still function as a brilliant glow-stick with sound. This meant I had to find a work around to the lower portion (body shroud) as I couldn’t completely remove it due to the factory-installation of the switch and charge port (it restricts removal of lower shroud). The upper part returned success and still provided me with ample flexibility.

The recessed, lightly-scored accent lines that form part of the original design are easily overlooked. Acknowledging that they do add some visual contrast to an otherwise plain body, its inclusion is what steps-it-up separating the clean finish of Silver Knight. Through my perception though, they were still too faint and required more definition.

What I had hoped was by request, to have them filled much like they are consistent to most of the other V1 finishes across SFs range but specifically as it can be seen on Epoch DT and Epoch Silver. This returned a redirection to Customs by SFCS so it became something that I would have to apply on my own as it was a finishing application that was deemed necessary and not just to cater for my preferences. Customs remains closed with Commission acceptance (at time of order placement) and whilst the method applied isn’t powdercoating or anodising, achieves a similar result.

This Hilt prompted the same surprise as Silver Knight as it was unboxed. Its length, far exceeded my expectations again. It may well be I am developing a challenged perception of depth and size from translation of image to actual.

Going for a slightly-aged and polished handled look rather the chrome-plated flawless finish of a museums showcased entry I applied some rather random effects along the body without detracting from its original beauty. The upper portion of the Hilt (that I could easily access by removal of the upper shroud) I gently stripped and recoated to achieve a semi-(simulated) titanium finish to contrast against the silver shrouds and against the matte black lower body that I couldn’t successfully access.

A minor assembly observation that marginally challenges handling efficiency, are the seated positions of the AV and charge ports. Hardly enough to stay angry at.

As part of the aged & polished handled profile, surface recoating followed with immediate stripping to achieve a smudged blemished look so that when the polishing application was effected on top afterwards, the two performed a dance of merge, blending together.

Archon’s underbelly and an example of the simulated-titanium effect over a greater surface area.

In its factory form, Archon is a longer Hilt. With the lip of the emitter shroud, it tips it greater than what I would comfortably handle with respects to aesthetics and balance. Being so elegantly slender from emitter to pommel with no flaring to its silhouette, it hints at a rather lanky stature.

If you look closely, you may notice a somewhat discreet incision, like a gutted tauntaun.

The semi-glazing didn’t just become limited to the primary body and was continued into the underside of the Emitter.

Similarly commented with Silver Knight about the joint-inclusion of both D-Ring and Covertech, to heighten and further complement its dimensions, the covertech was removed and the hole filled with a buttonhead screw.

The faux-switch box was sanded to soften the corners and edges and received the treatment of the aged finish. Two sockethead screws typically secure this box to the shrouds outer part and doubles as the anchor point to the Hilt keeping it rigid and solid.
I intentionally secured just the single screw (since it doesn’t lessen the hold versus two) to shyly cater for another fascination: shine-through.

Factory-fitted, default attachments, modified to suit its new Owner. Simulating a faux Crystal Chamber as light bleeds from the open wound.
You may notice a third eye directly below the shrouds top surface. This slight adjustment provides me with the flexibility to alter the Hilts appearance which I shall elaborate on later.

Some Specs and Measurements:
Quad Cree 12Watt+ Cyan| Champion Tier| Sabercore2.0 Crimson Font| Quick Connect LED Module| Silver AV, White-lit| Silver knurled aluminium kill key| Silver covertech| Silver Blade Plug

Hilt Length, from Pommel (excluding ring) to emitter flute edge: 318mm (12.9157 inches)
Hilt Length, from Pommel (excluding ring) to Emitter shroud lip: 356mm (14.0157 inches)
The Pommel’s D-Ring= 27.55mm (1.0846 inches)
Blade Socket Depth: 71mm (2.7953 inches)
Hilt Diameter: 37.95mm (1.4941 inches)

Weight: 479 grams

Balance (from Pommel to POI): 162mm
Balance (from Pommel to POI) 26”: 292mm
Balance (from Pommel to POI) 32”: 336mm
Balance (from Pommel to POI) 37”: 383mm

Two underside retention setscrews, the lower securing the LED Module and the upper, securing the blade/plug. Using the top of the LED heatsink as ground zero, the blade retention measures 49.40mm. With my modified design, I have integrated a second blade retention thumbscrew, doubling as an aesthetic greeblie that measures (from ground zero) 34.89mm.

The added flexibility to alter its appearance. Greeblie/blade retention on top with greeblie blade retention down low. With the third eye added to the Hilts top surface (as described earlier) this enables me to mix it-up some and also allows shortening the overall length a little. As a result, it also draws the upper shroud closer to its lower counterpart and achieves a much tighter finish. Think flared-open whilst lazily on display, relaxed and when a disturbance is felt, shields-down, flexed and tense when ready for engagement.

The Red/Brass thumbscrews were taken from V3 Avenger (that I have since replaced with others) to accessorise with.

Light brilliance from up top through accent-eyes, straight ahead from the blade-well and down under from the caesarean section. What’s not to love!?

The pretty lights are so mesmerising..

A third altered appearance, shroud reversed.

An undeniably exquisite Hilt whose appearance delivered by an effective design marks it truly unique and remarkable.
It is simply phenomenal.
The lines, angles and details contained in a tight package definitely validates it as a praise-worthy inclusion.

Fitted with Quick Connects is a convenient feature. With such a long and narrow blade-well though, LED Module swap-outs aren’t the easiest (like Silver Knight/Sinister prophecy) but aren’t as hard as the vigorous inverted sauce-bottle shake of Bastion/Black Lotus.
Cyan

Blood Orange

Amber

Deep Red

Complimentary Colours, complimenting Hilts:
Archon Deep Red versus Silver Knight Frost White

Archon.
My Archon.
The New default Setup and concluding with: Always ready to engage.

Thank you.

Just some additional glams of Archon with Pommel07 before I commence some additional customising to the Hilts undercarriage.

The pairing works for some however I remain unconvinced completely but what it does have going for it is the Pommel aligns squared better than the default inclusion.