ARKM blade plugs (REVIEW)

[Mobius]

(NOTICE THE IMAGES SEEN HERE ARE OF PROTOTYPE PIECES. FUTURE MODELS WILL HAVE NO MARKINGS OR ETCHINGS ON THE SURFACE.)

My blade plugs arrived in a nice padded envelope two days after I placed my order (There's definitely something to be said for speedy shipping.) When I opened the envelope I found two bladeplugs just as I had ordered, both had a PVC cap electrical taped over the Head portion to protect against dings or crush accidents.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/2-1.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/1-1.jpg

When I took off the caps I was immediately impressed by the quality of the parts themselves. Each was approximately 2 inches long and consisted of a piece of 1" polycarbonate, a white machined disk (that acts as a diffuser), an electric razor head, and a machined ring that sits around the head to make it 1"od.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/3-1.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/7.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/4-1.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/5.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/8.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/6.jpg

Excited, I grabbed my converted ESB Vader and decided to try them on for size. Immediately I noticed a couple things: I was going to have to do some sanding for the plugs to smoothly fit into my blade holder, And they were definitely too long to fit into my blade holder. Now I should note that I purchased my conversion from The Custom Saber Shop so I'm sure it has different tolerances than the ones that ARKM makes.

With very minor hand sanding with 180 grit sandpaper the plugs slid smoothly into and out of my emitter. Now on to length... I stated that the plug was too long but I think this approach is best because its better to have too much than not enough. I trimmed off about a half an inch with standard pipe cutters because I wanted to be able to have mine sit inset a bit.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/23.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/20.jpg

once I had all my modifications complete I dropped the plug into my saber and fired it up. The pics that ARKM presented originally as well as the ones I am presenting are deceiving because the light appears to be really bright and "blow out" the details of the razor head. There is a very even solid color to the plug and it lights up beautifully when on.

The following Photos show the separate heads and their respective looks. I originally preferred the Norelco with one ring to the Remington with two but after having time to see and play with both I have changed my mind and really have to say I like the Remington more.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/21.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/19.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/18-1.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/15.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/22.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/35.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/37-2.jpg http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x121/krhurrl/32.jpg


May the force be with you!

[xwingband]

I LOL'ed. Before I read it I realized it was a razor head.

Behold the power of SCHICK!

[thejedilestat]

the first plug looks great in that vader 2 thumbs up


i never really liked to shave well i have had a bard sence i was 14 so ya ... the mach 3 was/is my fave razor though

ARKM did a good job with the plugs me thinks my v2 could use one

[ecko]

Very Cool!
The closeups have a very Carbonite Freezer feel to them.

~S~

[Rhyen Skytracker]

Those look awesome. I really like how they look with the red LED.

[Blue Fox]

I'll post pics of my plug too when it comes in. So far we've seen blue and red. I'll be posting Bin 1 Cyan images. ARKM, looks like you're a hit ;)

[ARKM]

What can I say, people love me... when I give them shiny new toys to play with that is.

[DJMoonbass]

*gives arkm big hug*

[Kal El Rah]

Nice, very nice outcome indeed.:mrgreen:

[Darth Astro]

I Want Some

[Marius423]

Absolutely love these. They look much better then the basic plug in the blade holder, and when turned on... Wow.

[Count Malik]

super awsome!

[theJUDGE]

i like them very much. they make it look less like a movie prop replica and more like a weapon :cool:

[Blue Fox]

Hi everyone,
I got my emitter plug in the mail this morning. Talk about fast service. So thank you Tom. Mine too came with the same protective covering and electrical tape. And I too had to sand the tube down on it. Since I was sanding peices down I decided to sand down the inside of the blade holder too on Defiance, so now it is silky smooth. then I sanded down 3 rings on the emitter itsself too. (I know, oh my god, I actually did some real work on a real saber). Anyway, it took a little bit of time but now it sits in nice and snug. I'm very very happy with ARKM's emitter plug. it looks fantastic, protects the LED lens from dust, debris and everything when you don't have a blade in it. Some might find it a pain having to sand it down, I was expecting it and was happy to do it because mine is so snug I have to unscrew the bladeholder itsself to remove it. Tom, you cut it to the perfect length too!

So Bravo to you.
5 out of 5 for the quality of the work. Well Done.

now, as for pictures, I apologize for the quality. my digital camera died just 2 days ago so I had to use my cell phone. NO CGI WAS USED TO MAKE THESE BAD PHOTOS.

http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image079.jpghttp://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image080.jpghttp://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image081.jpghttp://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image075.jpghttp://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image082.jpghttp://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image076.jpg
http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image077.jpghttp://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv246/KeairaElisabeth/Lightsabers/Image078.jpg

[Do-Clo]

I received my plug today and it is very well built, thanks Arkm

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/misc/100_0948.jpg

[ARKM]

BF, Do-Clo, you are both welcome. Thanks for the kind words.

[Hasid Lafre]

Holy huge pics batman.

[Simmo]

They look really awesome.