TOPIC: sabers

whenever i tell someone im saving up for a saber they say im wasting 300+ on a toy what do you say when people tell u this

Not that you are in any way compelled to be concerned with what they think of your interests, or how you spend your hard earned dollars; but you could inquire what interests they pursue and spend money on. In most cases, it would be something that you do not share an interest in, but you could make a point that it did not occur to you to cast aspersions on their pursuits, as they did yours. How you word that response would be directly commensurate with how much you value their friendship.

Brax wrote: *Resists proposing the explicit alternative*

Borommakot wrote:
Well...there is the diplomatic approach, then there is the sledge hammer. It's a judgment call on which best fits the situation.

More seriously, I often hear people emphatically claim that money should be spent on experiences, not things, but it seems to me that a wide variety of "things" are very much experiences. Lightsabers are part of that. Imagining that feeling, as a Star Wars fan of years, decades, even, and that box comes holding your very own saber, or a true-to-film replica. When you unwrap it, and ignite it for the first time? There's no arguing that that isn't an awesome, powerful experience. And it's yours! You can relive that over and over. A toy is something you'll forget about. You gonna forget about your first lightsaber? Not a chance.

I don't think anybody here would argue with that. It's pretty much why we are all here!

The honest truth is, that if someone does not understand why a saber means so much to you, there is really no way to fully explain it. In all honesty, if you have to try, then the person you are talking to might accept this about you, but they will likely never feel about it they way you do.

I just tell my friends, "Because I can". They seem to shut up after hearing that. Especially when they get one up side their heads LOL

Another thing you could do is explain what the saber is made of and the process in which it is made. The people who are telling you that your money is being wasted on a toy may be say that from a place of ignorance as opposed to just being judgmental. You could explain that the hilt is made of aerospace grade aluminum, so that it is both strong and lightweight. The LED is a 12watt quad-Cree, one of the brightest ones on the consumer market, and thus requires a specialty high capacity battery. And the whole thing is assembled by hand, as opposed to being mass produced.

I have an ASP saber in the way, and I've only told my family that something cool is coming (I'm not being deceitful, I just want it to be a surprise), but at the moment I am doing a full install on a Graflex kit, and they've been able to see all the parts and tools I've needed to make it and thus appreciate it.

It's really easy for people who don't understand what goes into something to judge it based on its cost alone. I remember when I first heard about those super realistic Hot Toys figures, I went "Who the hell spends $300 on an action figure?!?!" But as I looked into them more and saw the incredible amount of detail and amount of stuff it comes with, I can understand not only why they cost so much, but why someone would spend that much on it.

I myself have a growing collection of 1/12 action figures that costs between $15 and $25 apiece, which many people would consider too much for a "toy", but I think they're worth it based on the level of detail and articulation they have.





So as long as you are happy with what you buy, don't sweat what other people say. Plus I've heard many stories of people's friends/family bashing their saber purchase only to be amazed by it when it comes in.

I would tell them that its worth it. Ask if theyd like to check it out when i get it. If they are interested I share my purchase experience and talk about saberforge. Material, tiers, the blade, and other stuff i found while researching.

Thanksgiving i showed my templar champion. Theyre reaction was great. Eyes widen up a bit, some make sounds as they wave the saber (...yeah, they dont have to but thats what some do!), and seeing them lost in thought or imagination just feels a positive experience overall.

Then, i show them my hero Monarch. Few are familiar with it. I tell them its Starkiller's lightsaber and like lightning strikes them and immediately they know.

Lightsabers bring some of us back to a time of imagination and fun. If you can share the experience, it makes it that much better

What trips me out is when they are SW fans too. They had all of the toys as kids. Today their imagination went out the door.

Without rehashing it all, it really depends on the context of the question and the relationship you have with the person. If your friend is truly curious, then it may simply be a lack of knowledge of literally one of the largest entertainment franchises on record and they honestly want to know. Feel free to educate them.

But this is probably not the case as calling it a 'toy' immediately gives it a negative connotation, as if you are a child. So whatever reason you give will probably not change their opinion. Despite the tone, adults spend money on 'toys' all the time. XBox, pool tables, sports cars, skiing, vacations, movies, etc. He/she simply wishes to spend their income on a different form of entertainment, which is fine. The question is probably more to justify their own interests to themselves or make you spend your money on things that would share a common interest.

Again, explaining this all to them may go over their head and all be in vain... leading to a great opportunity to use the sledgehammer approach.

I'd probably say I'm an adult that can buy any cool toys I like.

And if that fails...

Criticisms made by third parties questioning your choices often stem from their own insecurities, envy or being ill-informed. More often than not if roles were reversed a defensive position may be taken. A simple deflection is a good response. To the doubters, "You'll just have to accept it without understanding why" smile and walk away Jimster's because I can remark is a marvel too.

Yeah, growing up does not have to mean giving up everything that is not serious or practical. It is just for a lot of people, that is what happens. I prefer to hang on to this particular part of my youth for as long as I can.

I've come around this problem many times, and it does get very annoying very quick when you hear it from people you know that spend more money on things that are truly useless. Depending on the way they say or ask about your desire to purchase, Negative: I usually tells them that it's none of their f*****g business what I spend my hard earned money on; I don't berate them on their s***, so why do they do it to me?! Positive: cuz I can.

Well I can't really post on this forum what I would say to someone who said that to me, I'd probably get banned.....but don't let it bother you, who cares what those people think. It's none of their business how you spend your money. Just remember one thing: Sabers are Awesome!

Through deductive reasoning through noticing your other posts concerning saving for a saber because you were to young to work; I checked out your profile and saw you were born in 2000, so you're 15, nothing wrong with that, it's great that you're into saber collecting and I applaud your choice because I'm young too (18) and I got into this hobby around that age. I could assume you've been told by your parents that it's ridiculous to buy a $300+ saber? I assume because I had the EXACT same problem with my mom. It took awhile to convince her but I just reasoned her until she gave up. She loves Star Wars but she thought it was too much. (Let's keep in mind though that because I am employed I could do whatever the hell I want with my money regardless of what she told me)

Basically I explained to her that these lightsabers aren't toys, that they're works of art that people put hardwork and care into. I told her that she has countless purses that she buys and doesn't even use and forgets about them. And then I told her that my brother collects guitars that are way more expensive than one saber and although I think those are pointless, I don't bother him about them because he enjoys his hobby. So as long as I enjoyed what I loved what the damn difference. Besides, when I FINALLY got one, she saw that they truly are cool AND worth the price. She was convinced that they are everything I'd expected and now gets excited whenever I get a new one. NOW I have three sabers and an ASP coming in from indiegogo.
Long story short: try to reason with people and they'll see what it's all about.

What do I tell people?

"Well, it beats cocaine", usually.

I tell them that it's something that makes me happy

I've had overwhelmingly positive feedback when telling people I've ordered a saber. Even from the ones I was sure would say it was a waste of money. I'm so excited for it to arrive, I tell pretty much everyone I meet at this point...

... except for my girlfriend. When I tell her, I'll say I bought it off someone really cheap.