Post by Chewbacca on Sept 13, 2006 11:34:00 GMT -5
I have just received my Luke ANH/ESB Luxeon Graflex and am absolutely thrilled with it. The package marked ‘2 of 2’ arrived yesterday, and gave me a taste of things to come. It contained the blade, the stock MR stand, the custom dual stand, the stock Graflex head, and the remains of the ‘donor’ Anakin ROTS saber.
This was the first time I had seen a blade with a Corbin film, so I tried it out in my Luxeon Anakin. I was immediately impressed with the coring effect, which was clearly visible even with the midday sun streaming in through the window. Later that evening, I tried it again in the dark and the effect was even more pronounced. I was also thrilled to handle my first real Graflex, even thought it was only half of one.
I spent the evening transferring the new Anakin hilt parts on to my Ani Luxeon (it now looks brand-new), and wondering when the rest of the order would arrive.
I didn’t have to work today, so I logged in to FX-Sabers and was spending some time making posts when another kind of post came through the letter-box. It was a letter from Parcel-Force, saying that I had a package to pick up from their depot. It also kindly informed me that I had been stung for customs tax, despite the fact that Yoda had marked the package as a ‘gift’.
I went to pick up the package, and argued briefly with the guy in the depot about the charges. Realising I was getting no-where, I gave in and handed him a cheque. At least then I could take my saber home. I can try to re-claim the taxes later, but to be honest I don’t think that I will get anywhere.
Driving home, I was so tempted to pull over and open it, but looking down at the brown box in the passenger’s seat, I realised that I would never get through all that tape without a knife. Why didn’t I bring one with me?
I pulled up in the driveway with a squeal of tyres and rushed the package into the house, quickly locating my pocket-knife and a fresh set of energizers. I had the box off in no time, only to find….another box! The second box lasted about as long as the first, and impressed as I was with Master Yoda’s careful packaging, I was relieved to at last see the aluminium case with the FX-Sabers logo on the front.
Opening the case I was greeted by this marvellous sight:
I carefully removed the components and loaded the battery pack with batteries. I fitted the Graflex clamp to the head and then the bottom part, with the battery pack inside.
Hitting the button, I was surprised to hear how loud the saber is. Even louder than a stock Ani, I would say, but I don’t see how that is possible.
I then switched off again and carefully fitted the blade to the saber. It slid in tightly, but not too tightly. There is a hole in the bottom of the blade that needs to be aligned with the set screw, or the screw will not go in all the way.
On ignition, I could immediately see that the saber was slightly brighter, and lighter blue than my Luxeon Ani. The swing and clash sounds all worked perfectly and a few experimental spins revealed that the saber was even lighter and more spin friendly than the Ani.
The saber looks fantastic when switched on:
Of course I had to try it in ESB and ANH configuration. The transition is easy, and the saber works equally well in both forms, although the extra red button gets in the way of your spins a bit. The saber looks awesome however you assemble it:
The acrylic stand that Master Yoda sent me displays both sabers superbly:
They look fantastic displayed with my Luxeon Ani, which I made my own stand for yesterday evening.
All in all I would give this saber 11 out of 10 in every department. I haven’t duelled with it yet, and haven’t even had the opportunity to have a good spin. I am waiting until it gets dark. However, the quality of workmanship and the service from Master Yoda is second to none, as you would expect.
If anyone out there is thinking of buying one, I would advise you to think no longer and PM Yoda at FX-Sabers.com with your order. It is worth every penny to a dedicated fan, even if you get stung by customs like I did.
Thanks Master Yoda for the pride and joy of my collection.
P.S. These aren't my own pics. I have no digi camera. Some of them are ones that Yoda sent me when he finished the kit, others I have lifted from various places on FX-Sabers.com . Thanks to anyone who has contributed a photo.
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