Here she is!!!
I just got her, and its taken EVERYTHING in me to not fire up just yet. I always make sure my sabers are fully charged before I power-on now!
Previous sabers owned:
Lightech Industries Hero
Makoto V3 6-color change Starkiller
Makoto ROTJ V3-GX Plus
While I'm waiting for it to charge, I'll give a little background, and then some first impressions of this saber.
About 10 years ago or so, I realized that real-looking saber hilts were a reality, and I found Lightech Industries. They didn't have anything like an ROTJ hilt really, but some basic metal hilts with EL blades. I was happy with it, but it was a soft glow and no sound.
Eventually 3 years ago I got excited about moving on from it when I saw SlothFurnace's famous ROTJ (and Obi-Wan) thin-neck sabers. I saw the crystal chambers and my jaw DROPPED, I was drooling. He said he wouldn't do any runs it was just a gift, and I couldn't afford LDM etc... so I looked elsewhere. I saw SF and US... but I'll be honest the pre-2012 reviews of these 2 companies made me EXTREMELY uneasy about purchasing from them. I eventually decided to go with a Makoto saber, if I couldn't have the ROTJ crystal chamber, then I'd go with the next coolest thing about the SlothFurnace ROTJ... the string-blades!!!
Makoto's Starkiller was a cool option, so I went with it. The V3 was very evenly lit, but the diffusion was kind've MEH to me... had a bit of a corn-cob effect, and the Starkiller itself had a very "put together in a warehouse" feel. The sound was okay, but it always had a light electronic "buzz" behind it. The saber took about 4+ months to receive. I got what I could for my Lightech saber and put it towards it.
So after a couple of years I decided that I saw Makoto doing ROTJ hilts, and I wanted his V4 blade (3-4 strings!!!)... a price was agreed upon, I sold my Starkiller, and I waited... and waited... and waited.... and after 8 MONTHS, I finally was sent a saber that didn't even meet my original order, along with a partial refund. Don't get me wrong, he found a new brighter LED and string up 2 strips for me, and it was pretty dam bright, but it had the wrong sound, no recharge port (had to unscrew and wire through the inside) like I had asked, and the hilt seemed like a re-worked past version of someone else's ROTJ hilt. It was only like 60% aluminum with plastic painted parts. I DID like the accent lights tho! It was sold so I could get my new SF one! I'm not a collector, more of a having "1 of" something novelty type of guy.
Now SF has sent me this ROTJ (SORRY, Prodigal Son....ha!) and I am floored by its build quality. It seems like something so very real. The lightech had similar weight, but no nostalgic SW qualities to draw me to it. Makoto's blades were incredible, but as I learned... in the end, the saber is truly about the hilt. Both Makoto's were unremoveable blades, and super bright or not, without fully appreciating the hilt, I never fell in love with the sabers. This one feels like mine.
I've always been drawn to the ROTJ hilt... the thin-neck, its retro-modern design always called to me more than the bulkier Graflex (even tho I still love that one), and the copper just has a great tone next to shining aluminum. Luke came from nothing, but then learned the ways of the Force, joined the Rebellion, then confronted Vader... once to save his friends, and once as a final stand in hoping for his redemption. His decision after defeating Vader... to deny the Emperor and the dark side while tossing aside his weapon has always stuck with me. Those actions led to Anakin having reason to fight his inner demons and destroy the Emperor himself, and this was the tool Luke built for himself and had by his side as this tale unfolded.
ESB has long been my fav SW film, but this ROTJ saber has always been my favorite, and Saber Forge helped give me that... reality.
okay, still charging!
Pros: This this is gorgeous, shiny and has great weight. The
copper is
killing me, so much better than a painted area or brass-ish color. The card-slide works really well, and the kill-key was pretty easy to take out. Originally when going over reviews of this, it seemed like the control box card moved rather easily, sliding back and forth possibly too lightly. Thats not the case, it only will slide forward to a certain point, and there's only enough give to allow it to do that, its not going to slide or dangle on its own.
Cons: The black
greeblie had come off in shipping I guess, had to super glue that thing back on immediately, got it in the right spot so no biggie there, but always kind've "meh" to receive something with a fallen off part. Also, a couple of the "crystal chamber" rods have a looseness to them thats...odd. I'm not sure if thats just how its designed or if there's anything faulty, but it snaps out wonderfully. Getting it to come back has taken a second or two, but perhaps I just need to get the hang of it. It seemed easier in vids, which bums me out a bit, but then again I've only had it for 10min or so ha!
I haven't turned it on yet, waiting for the green light!
I set the blade in and it fits perfectly. I like the length of the 37" a lot, and it doesn't bother me at all at 5'10" look and reach-wise. Now for moving or swinging I could see it being awkward, but this is for display and cosplay for me. I've love to learn to duel someday, but not with this baby!
I MAY one day soon try out a VV blade just to test a lighter, non-dueling blade out that has killer brightness/diffusion. Thats no knock on SF, just that with this type of saber a V4 is probably a bit heavy for what I'll be using it for.
Also, one day... those control box arrows need to light up! I think they did at one point on previous version(s), and I'm not putting it under
Cons because I knew what I was purchasing... but if there's a way to make this THAT much more fantastic and enticing to buyers, its the accent lights!
Be back soon with more pics, and then some video review!!!!!