Ral Miran Saber Hilt

[tanzanlinnear]

100% Perfect
Have you decided if you're going for a covertec clip or a D-Ring yet? My own preference is for covertec clips, as I find that they a) hold the saber more securely on the belt b) don't rattle when the saber is on the belt (or wielded) and c) it fits easily into the grip, where the rings are left...hanging...
Whichever method you go for, the design itself is perfect, and it'll definitely look great

[Ral Miran]

Unfortunatly, this part of the designing process might be the hardest. I'll have a decision soon, hopefully before I start on it, or I'll end up just sitting there, staring at the almost finished saber, wondering "Clip or D-ring?"

[Seda Navilli]

Im a big fan of D-rings, especially on shorter sabers, because it gives the saber a bit of bounce when its on your leg, and stops it from being too stiff.

I would go with the D-ring, and I would also put it on the side of the saber, not the front or the back (I'll post a pic of what I mean)



This allows you to draw your saber with your thumb on the activation switch without any fiddling around:



This goes for covertec clips as well. Because you have to push in each side of the clip to release the saber, your hand ends up naturally in a position where your thumb is on the side of the saber. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, try the one handed saber release that Obi Wan does before his final duel against Anakin in RotS. Although many of the movie's sabers have the covertec knob on the back of the saber, this is purely for "hero" shots of the saber, and is not the most practical option.

EDIT: Tanzan is probably gonna hate me for this ;D, but have you considered using a graflex clamp on your saber? I really like them... and I was bored enough to make a little mock up of what it might look like

[tanzanlinnear]

seda said:

EDIT: Tanzan is probably gonna hate me for this ;D, but have you considered using a graflex clamp on your saber? I really like them... and I was bored enough to make a little mock up of what it might look like

Sacrelege!!!
Actually, I hadn't thought of using one, but the schematic you've done with clamp doesn't look too bad. I do think it ought to be on the back side of the saber rather than the front or the side as in your designs though...
I agree with you 100% about placing a D-Ring on the side though, it would definitely make for a smoother draw Sabers with clamps (and curved sabers) have the covertecs on the side so that they sit flat to the side, but they do draw very smoothly
[Edited to add]
Seda, I've just notived that you are drawing the saber with your right hand (presumeably gripping below the clamp) do you then use your left hand to grip the upper section, or do you switch hands? I only wonder becase I always draw my saber with my left hand, and by gripping the lower section, then using my right hand to grip the upper section... I just thought I should draw attention to this as it's something Ral might want to consider... Ral, which hand would you be using to draw the saber from your belt, and how would you then hold it? I think that should be the deciding factor in how you place the activator and 'carrying system', be it covertec or D-Ring

[Seda Navilli]

tanzanlinnear said:

I do think it ought to be on the back side of the saber rather than the front or the side as in your designs though...

Yeah, I was just too lazy to draw it up like that (i was only using paint) ;D

Edit to reply: I always draw my saber with my right hand, across my body. If I feel the need to bring my hand higher up on the hilt (this depends on what style Im using at the time) then I simply drop the saber and catch it at the right height.

[tanzanlinnear]

I'm sure Ral will get the gist of the ideas

[Ral Miran]

seda said:

EDIT: Tanzan is probably gonna hate me for this ;D, but have you considered using a graflex clamp on your saber? I really like them... and I was bored enough to make a little mock up of what it might look like

Spreading the ways of the clamp, I see. A clamp would look pretty cool. If I use the clamp I'll have to find a replica clamp online or something.

I would be most likely drawing the saber with my right hand, so the activation should probably be on the left side of the saber. Also, if I draw with my right hand, should I then attach it to the left side of my belt?

[tanzanlinnear]

If you were drawing it with your right hand, with the activator at the back, a D-Ring should should be on the left hand side of the saber (when viewed from the back), but if you're using a covertech clip, it could still go on the back inline with the activator and emitter shroud

[Seda Navilli]

You can get the clamp from www.parksabers.com

[Ral Miran]

Well, I made a mistake in judgement. I just realized that I would probably be drawing and activating it with my left hand. I thought right hand simply because I'm right-handed, but with my left hand near the emitter, it's harder for me to maneuver the blade. With my right hand near the emitter, I have better control. So with the activator on top, and the D-ring on the right side (from top view), it should draw well with my left hand if attached to my right.

[Leda EmBorr]

Nice designs... they look similar to Lightech's Viper Defender, but with a brass emitter and without all the cutouts.

Have you seen it? www.lightechindustries.com/defendercomp.jpg

[Ral Miran]

Thanks! It does look similar to Viper Defender. I have not seen that one before, nor have I seen any of Lightech's sabers. It doesn't look too similar does it? Don't want to be accused of copying the design!

[Leda EmBorr]

No, I don't think you'll have a problem... it's a lightsaber!

[Ral Miran]

That's good! I've been thinking about how I want to make the brass part of the emitter shroud. I could either make it out of a brass pipe (which I think I've seen at Lowes, or it was a copper one or something else), or use pvc painted a brass color. If I use a pipe, I'm not sure how well I can cut curves out of a metal tube, since I've only cut pvc. I don't know if I could slide it over the silver shroud, tilt it a little and shove it on the rest of the way to get a tight fit, or if it would be too tight a fit. If that doesn't work, I'd have to cut the shroud length-wise (probably on the thin side on the front of the saber hilt) to slide it on, then cover the gap with something. Any ideas?

[tanzanlinnear]

The best way to cut curves in a metal tube is to use either a hacksaw, or a dremel to hack out the rough shape required, and then use a file with a curved back to finish the shaping. I'd always recommend using metal rather than PVC, simply for the superior finish you achive, and I would say definitely use brass, copper is very soft, and if the saber were to be dropped, the copper would probably bend out of shape.
If you can get two peices of tubing that will fit together nicely, I'd saycut them seperately and then slide them together. If the copper pipe is a bit too wide, you can always use O-Rings, duct-tape to bulk up the inner tube, and then a little superglue at the last minute to hold it all in place