TOPIC: Monarch SF Custom|Story so far. Pt II-Verse2

raphos, Thank You. I'm not down-selling it but the pictures IMO are the best I can manage using my phone and are about C-Grade (B-Grade at best) compared to some of the other's shown in Reviews. Video Reviewing is beyond my available resource so I have parked that medium in the 'too-hard' basket.
This was part of an (admittedly) over-indulging spend before Christmas. When you write of permission, similarly I accept my partner's purchases unconditionally and the same understanding is mirrored back. We have our QT and have our mutual interests but (and not without reason) different interests we don't share yet commit to are respected. There is great enjoyment and peace when there isn't conflict.

SuUpberSith, Losses are great for all businesses when Theft or AWOL situations occur. I can't accurately conclude the practices of the 'preferred' handler but so far they've been alright. Having faith is one thing. Most of the time it's blind as every circumstance is different and what happens once to someone may not and does not necessarily reflect an ongoing theme. We all take punts every so often, even when you are convinced it's a sure thing. I know that's not what you meant, didn't have you in cross-hairs. The reference to 'conspiracy' was my wording more to describe and summarise (generalisation) the theories and opinions that are floating around the web that 'black-holes' exist somewhere between Sender to Recipient.

Jaden Korr, I reckon problems will exist even if a different carrier is used as not one is completely perfect and trouble free. Don't know for sure, it's speculated that USPS keeps costs 'more reasonable' where other carriers inflate theirs making it less affordable to the average Consumer (regardless of Insurance or without). Other things come into play like the weight threshold/pricing Tier. Have had stuff comparable to say CanadaPost, USPS & FedEx where the costs have been less than savoury.

Don't know how it works in US when deliveries are Domestic and what is defined as Local, but here Down-Under, USPS will take it into the Country and then the National Mail Handler takes over. These guys deliver in vans rather than the regular Posty riding around on his motorcycle. When I read about your reference to Smiley, I immediately thought of a Pet Detective and the opening scene.

Really when it comes to carriers, it may come down to who is best locally? What Jaden said about UPS is pretty much the same issue I would have. Fedex is pretty good, but I think they are a good amount more expensive than the others? I'd personally go for that, but then the Karma gods would come get me for talking bad about the other carriers.

OvrcAHst wrote:
Stupid JChen (jc0522) and his Vengeance.

Steely-Eyed Missile man wrote: Agreed. Beautiful pictures and an equally beautiful Hilt. It is here my lust and desire is fuelled to eventually own a Vengeance. I remained hopeful of a pre-assembled return however waiting for ASP to launch seems more likely. The fascination reaches no bounds. A reminder below for those that haven't seen it. There are heaps of Reviews where image resolution and clarity is simply remarkable. My top favourite goto's are: jc0522, tech_droid & Kouri.

Simply stunning to the degree you can virtually smell it and reaching out to grab it.

Wow! (I missed this thread until now).

Welcome to the "Monarch saber club"! Actually, a very special welcome to you, your very own customized Monarch that is one of a kind and one of a true beauty. It's must have been an exciting journey planning, going through the customization process and then the endless wait. The Monarch is really one of a kind in the entire SF lineup so far and you have just took it to another level with your very own unique one!

Beautiful quality photos too!

E66, Thank You. I'd never knew a 'Monarch Saber Club' existed prior to you referencing it in HotRod's Review. The exclusive and illustrious 'Thin Neck Club' was one that I had read about since joining the Forum. The journey was testing and excitement soon suffered some confidence loss with difficulty imagining the final result however that soon disappeared as WIPs began to take shape. Agreed. I was drawn to it for this very reason. Funnily though, I first placed it in my wish-list and then abandoned it only to return later and proceeded with an order.

I actually feel the photo's are still grainy and lack quality resolution and clarity. Maybe this is just a misdirected opinion formed through my eyes. It's the best I can manage and am happy with the results (mostly). Mind you they fall short compared to yours as shown for your Mauler Staff, for example. I haven't an infamous Indoor Pool to backdrop the piece, but still suffices.

"Monarch Saber Club" is just a cheeky way of saying "those who own a Monarch".

What do you think of the special ASP7 grip practically? It certainly gives the Monarch a very different look.

Ex66, Well Thank You for the Official Welcome to 'The Unofficial Monarch Saber Club'. This is actually a good question. The raised surface and square edged design of ASPB7 is surprisingly smooth with no resistance at all, very easy to grip. Without the premise for comparison of the distinctive 'default' Monarch Body, it's difficult to imagine the Grip in any other way. Being a stickler for aesthetics, I was apprehensive about the standard Grip namely to the spines. Back then I had no knowledge of ASP Parts so when the compromise was suggested I agreed without hesitation as it catered to what I was aiming for.



To 'knit-pick', I had actually expected the GripBody to be reversed to how it currently is. Having the 'lesser pineapple' towards the Hilt centre IMO would have achieved more symmetry to the Emitter and Shroud whilst enabling grip further up rather than lower down. I naturally grip the Hilt over the Faux Box and Chamber anyway rather than like a Hammer so it's not detrimental. I can see the logic with flipped placement in order to more effectively accommodate the two switches. Maybe if it were a Champion Tier the option to choose which direction the grip was positioned may have been present.
Agreed it is a very different look. Regardless of my observations, my appreciation of the completed result is not lessened in anyway.

That's really interesting. Seeing it the way you have it, it looks very natural to me. I can see why you might like the look of the body the other way, but honestly, I think it looks great this way. I agree that it might be tougher putting the switches in the other way. In some ways I think it might look better the way it is in my humble opinion.

Also, just chiming in on the carrier comment, I sell items on eBay (roughly 10 - 20 items a week) and we only use UPS. I had 2 packages go missing or broken USPS (and they were given to two different USPS locations in 2 different states) and I still had issues, plus tracking issues through their customer service is rough. UPS has been very easy and we (knock on wood) have never had a lost or damaged package with them. However, the cost is several dollars more. My buyers often complain on the $3-5 dollar cost increase, but for us, it's a life saver and I'd rather them complain about that instead of lost or damaged packages. One other nitpick is that Priority mail for USPS generally is faster than UPS only when going to the other side of the country. Just my experience.

HotRod, I've only ever had smaller items like clothing sent by UPS and the larger by USPS. Given it's infrequency, can't conclusively say that one is faster/better over the other. It's an important point that you mention. Often when expectant of goods, quality and security that leads to peace of mind and assurance trumps speed. This is consistently so as we all have waited at one time or another (or still are) for deliveries from SaberForge to occur. The amount paid be it higher/lower is really in place to ensure safe and success arrival.

Purely from a Tracking position, regardless of item size/package quantity/weight, between UPS, USPS, FedEx, CanadaPost I have personally found that the latter is most comprehensive with real time tracking. The former 3 have their locations documented whilst in the Country of origin but once it goes into the Processing Centre there is zero activity available and becomes a blind hope that the Mailman will 'oneday' knock at your door. CP continues it's location documentation within the addressed Country much like tracking delivery of a Pizza during its delivery run to you. This much I find favourable.

That Monarch is a beauty OvrcAHst! Awesome work. You never cease to amaze with your hilts. Keep 'em coming!

If for some reason you ever you decide you need to find a home for this one.....call me.

Excellent saber!!! Loving the finish!

Greysider wrote: Thanks Mate. Got some in the pipeline..

HotRod wrote: There are two pillows on my bed and each accommodates the heads of two bodies. Nestled between said pillows lays this second beauty (the first being the head and body on the other pillow from mine ) on that same number that follows the words: for a good time, call..?

Muns wrote: Thanks Muns. Very distant to the customisingsy work you demonstrate on your Hilts.

That saber is bad-ass! Love the lightning scarring on it and man... you just keep outshining most everybody here, don't ya

CrimsonJax88 wrote: Thanks Mate. That part wasn't done by me rather was part of the shattered weathering through Customs.

Incredible. Just incredible.