Watchmaker wrote:
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
From your brief and desired criteria, I'd use something like
this here as a premise for starting point.
As a constantly evolving Saber that's handled by different generations you'd be looking at a Hero with RGBA setup, the ability to alternate colour choice depending on the wielder. Having thought about your OP for a few, to be different to the setup referenced, free up a lot of the switch section real estate with brass capped tactiles and relocate the charge port to the pommel.
Through Customs is your best bet.
Of the known finishes, the V3 (grey weathering) will be your best bet, optional with or without the shattered weathering to achieve the aged relic feel and appearance. You want something in a matte finish rather than gloss and if it were me personally I would forego the clear coat completely however if you do prefer it, go matte rather than the usual semi or gloss that's applied.
With the Crystal, I can see it happening in two applications. If your not keen on the static type like the rumoured to be released ASP type or the Gladiator type, Customs will be able to achieve a concealed release type like Ares. The alternative, because real estate has been freed on the switch part, as it will use the 2015+ version (or likely ASP part) mill windows in the two vertical accent grooves and go the crystal blade plug instead. This way you get the aesthetic.
To promote the 'taken apart, repaired, restored', use sectional housing plates as greeblies (like jade switch) but more of them to act like a virtual shroud. I'd look at extending the Body too so internals are shifted as well, providing more flexibility with the various possibilities you're exploring.
On mention of shroud, the dark secrets. Instead of etching under a glued wrap that you will never see, have the body machined separately with the 'secrets' etched as a sub hilt where the wrapped body is a removable shroud to reveal the chassis.
That's all I got for now. Maybe it helps some or maybe it doesn't.
A lot of this will become back n forth exchanges with Customs with determining what they can do and how close to your specs.