TOPIC: V3 Avenger FFS SF|Story so far. Pt III

Grey Weathered Avenger 12Watt+ QC Blood Orange

What if:
In a parallel SW Universe due to the pursuance of devastating effects that resulted from an irreversible traumatic experience, there rose Dark Kenobi.

Archives will reveal that this occurrence in History that had a Master fall from grace at his defeat against a worthy adversary.



The events that soon followed then took a different direction and thus a new path (and future) was followed and a shift created.



It was then at this very moment, consumed by rage and anger, the once controlled red core was breached, unleashing the fury of one that will henceforth be feared.

First impressions of the seldom sought and available Grey Weathered was, well.. underwhelming. Granted and accepted that V2 weathering (the darker alternative) is typically different from case/case, but the darker textures and patterned aesthetics usually added to the Hilts exterior. The Grey Weathered executed here fell a little short to what I was expecting having obtained guidance from image representation on the website and with seeing Reviews from other Owners of the Grey Weathering Finish. Enquiries made for better comprehension returned the following: I.. received a similar answer the other day when I asked one of the Staff at KFC
what the 11 Secret Herbs & Spices actually were.

Subtlety is one thing. This I feel is either another rare freak occurrence (which coincidentally happens a lot with my Orders) or receives only one interpretation, it’s a lightwashed, faint greyscaled watered down weathered finish. Unknown if there’s any correlation, but the metal on the Hilt itself actually feels lighter, almost hollow and absent is the solid feel other Hilt designs share. The surface actually feels brittle, in particular the Body outer windowed shroud that covers the Black anodised slotted grip that overlays the inner aluminium core (which is of course hollow to accommodate the electronics). There’s no accuracy, but I actually speculate that the difference in surface feel and texture may be a result of an anodised Hilt soaked in an acetone bath. The Aluminium definitely feels like it’s undergone some form of a chemical treatment.

One single blade retention setscrew is used on this design. Consistent. Nothing out of the ordinary. Previous versions I believe, had the (next) 3 buttonhead’s as blade retention, but could be completely wrong.

The 3 Silver buttonhead hex screws double as secondary securing for the LED Module which naturally also has its one primary located adjacent to the Switch/Kill Key location. The Red and Brass greeblies are just that. They add aesthetic value only, are threaded and can be removed but the hole exposed only provided a shielded peep hole to the LED Module on the inside.

Consistently inconsistent, luck-of-draw or simply, completely random. It’s not uncommon for Site images to represent either a discontinued line or an out-dated photo. SF is not exempt from this. This Hilt is amongst several received in recent times that included by default the older style knurled kill keys. Communication with CS returns that they’re not available for individual purchase which concludes that all (or most) supplied will equal the lazerforge ones. Perhaps there is still inventory available however reserved for discretional use depending on Hilt Finish and by decision made by the Production Team.

While this Finish is V3, it included Brass accessories (i.e. Covertech & Kill Key). Initial thoughts went out the window as with CR Ares V1, Brass accessories and V2 Xiphos, Brass accessories. I ‘spose SF wants to keep you guessing and as much as wanting by request of preference, it’s a punt within itself and efforts may exist to supply but there’s no guarantee. This, via both Outlets of Main Site and Etsy Ordering.

In case you’re wondering. There is a particular batch of Hilts I ordered that included a QC Module for the convenience and ability to interchange illuminated Blade colour at a whim. Rather than have the lit AV permanently (and consistently) be the same as the installed LED Module from factory and remain so even upon Module change out, I opted for White-lit. I was advised by SFCS that all Champion Tiers will include a lit-AV. The request to have a non-lit AV (as I preferred) would not be accommodated. This also applied to Hero Tiers (current at the time of enquiry as now Hero Tiers appear to be emerging as non-lit but as two mini-tactiles instead). The available colours for the AV illumination are (were): Red, Green, Blue, White, Amber, Purple. White seemed to be the most neutral of the available choices so became the selection.

If you’ll notice the rogue Pommel Cog, more on this a little later..

Some Specs and Measurements:
Quad Cree 12Watt+ Blood Orange| Champion Tier| Sabercore2.0 Crimson Font| QC LED Module| Silver AV, White-lit| Brass knurled Kill Key| Brass Covertech| Grey Weathered Finish.

Hilt Length: 273mm
Blade Socket Depth: 37mm
Emitter Diameter: 38.80mm
Choke Diameter: 34.82mm
Body Diameter: 37.94mm
Pommel inc. Cog Diameter: 53.96mm

Weight: 460 Grams

Balance (Hilt only, from Pommel to POI): 139mm
Balance (from Pommel to POI) 26”: 272mm
Balance (from Pommel to POI) 32”: 312mm
Balance (from Pommel to POI) 37”: 368mm

I swapped out the included Brass/Gold Elite Plug as the lip atop the plug caused it to sit slightly raised against the Emitter front face. The mirrored Cog design buries into the Blade socket to create a recessed look which I prefer more on this Hilt.







From the top, out of the Box = 5 Cogs straight, centred and aligned (how it’s expected to be). Second image shows the rogue: 1 Bent. In addition to this, 4 corners of each 6 Cogs are dangerously sharp much like the 6 exposed straight edges to each 6 Cogs. This I feel is unfinished machining. Now with attempts at better comprehension, the reasoning returned: My confusion stems beyond comprehension. I would have thought sharp edges resulted from a machining process and not a design process. If a folded tempered steel blade was forged, understandable, but a Hilt? I dunno? The other thing is. Well, noted that the Sabers are Duel worthy but is the interpretation intended for duel readiness 24/7? I guess it’s suggested to ensure gloves are always worn, even when handling the Hilt to perform functions like removing Kill Key and plugging for recharge, loosening retention screw etc. Looks like I might need to revisit some old school martial arts training with hand conditioning exercises and repeatedly spear my hands into a pot of loose gravel. Again, I dunno?

3rd image is what bothered me the most. Really!?, Mutha@$#*ing Again?! ; Royally Messed-up Assembly; REN, MASSACRED ACADEMY!! (expletives that actually came out were subbed to more SW Themed friendliness. You can imagine where I’m going with this. A game was revisited, one that I do not enjoy playing. Moving on..

Naturally a dialogue is opened with CS to acknowledge receipt and report the problem I encountered. I’m no machining expert by any means but if you recall further up top where I commented on the brittle feel of the Body shroud and that it feels thinner compared to other SF Hilts? Well, when you grip the Body with firmness you can sense a slight flexing, almost buckling feel that also causes the placement of the AV switch to move a little. One week passed this time until a reply was received and honestly (during the downtime) I grew concerned and as I planned to draft a follow-up email, the reply acknowledgement was received. For the record and it’s worth noting, the boxes received that contain these Hilts are (were) not damaged. This question was raised by CS. The toblerones are sometimes creased but not (and very far from) heavily damaged as if they have been mishandled or stepped on. There are some frightening images online with those ones. This Hilt was also contained with several others that did not experience the same fate and said box was a rectangular SF stamped one
(I keep all of these to hold my blades in).

The remedy received (specific to the Recharge Port) was: This raised concerns for me. It’s not the first Saber I have Ordered (and received) but the reasoning itself suggests that the factory glue used is inferior and susceptible to high failure during fluctuating temperatures. Every Hilt undergoes some form of transit not necessarily internationally and then how is it some survive and are okay whilst others are not? The instruction I challenged specific to the remedy. I observed that there was no locking nut threaded to the Port internally (not uncommon) and hardly cause for alarm but included it for verification. The port itself has a small lip (about 1-1.5mm) that sits flush against an inner lip of similar dimension on the aluminium’s drilled switch hole and that the Port threads to be glued do not connect, insert against or attach to anything and actually sit free inside the switch section.
So what does gluing that part achieve? Apparently: Yes, I can glue it. Yes I did glue it. Yes it’s back in and secured.
Not with the advised spreading method, rather spot glued instead.
Not something I should have had to do though.
Moving on.

Blood Orange (Red Orange as it is known by now) is such a vibrantly beautiful colour. One I’ve only owned as a 6watt+ on Hero Monarch and this does not disappoint. It suits well to the Hilt Finish and parallel story I had imagined and shall continue with and with the benefit of Quick Connects, (not in any hurry to) can change over to a Deep Red or back to a Light Blue.

As this shared writeup focuses on Dark Kenobi,
the future and events that we know of and have seen may still exist or may well not.
Force Vision? Glimpses of a Future that never became. Or did they?



The following are examples of the Blood Orange LED through
Infinity V4, Day Red, Day Amber & Day Yellow.

To overcome the sharp parts of the Pommel Cogs I took to them (quite rigorously) with my adopted sanding methods however this time added a metal file to round off and distress the cogs more to remain constant to the appearance of the Hilt.

As an Obi Hilt, it’s nice and adds well to a Collection. Of the other timeline, it’s not Redeemer and by comparisons in appearance and finished product, measures second (with great distance) between them. Handles well as a single hand or dual-hand weapon. Pretty light in overall weight, despite the setbacks, welcomed and accepted.

Thank you with stopping by as another entry from the FFS Series is shared.

This is what was supplied stock from the original Order. So is problem resolved? Yup! sure is and with another problem now instead.


This is the received item. The reverse side of the Packing Slip even has an administration note specifically referencing 'Avenger Pommel Gray Weathered'. Observations:
What has been supplied is a weathered version (V2) without the Gray. So if V2 actually = V3 then why is there a colour scheme difference compared to stock inclusion versus replacement inclusion? Yes, the Cogs are now straight and they're black instead of Silver. The Body now weathered instead of Black. The Cog is in fact a separate Part that isn't sealed, which begs the question why the Cog only, couldn't have been sent. Possibly because this Pommel is a differently machined Part to the stock included Pommel that can't be separated. Yeah, I've got a New and extra Pommel now so I should shut-up? 'spose so. If blue weathered parts are okay with black weathered parts, then V2 is okay with V3.


When new Order's from Etsy, $400USD+$60USD for Shipping, Incoming Packing Slip is marked with $200 Insurance (50% less) with item Value still at $400. To buy a Pommel = $39.99USD ($40). When replacements are sent, insurance=zero and marked value is $20USD (50% less). I'm confused with the monetary worth between the two scenarios. What relevance does this have? Marked content Value & Insured content Value has a significant impact with Import Taxes and Duty. After currency conversions from USD to AUD (for Orders) still just keep on paying. Yay. More money to the Government just to enjoy some toys and less money unbudgeted for to continue to buy more toys.

Order now complete. One Franken-Bastard-Avenger V(insert any number here), ready to go.