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Lord Maul
08-30-2008, 02:18 PM
ALL OF THE PICS ARE UP

There isn't really any comprehensive set of pictures on these forums that compares the major blade diffusers (Corbin, TCSS, Ultra, Xwing). I posted these pictures on FX-Sabers a while ago and figured I'd move them here too.

Camera Stats/Picture angles
My camera is a Canon PowerShot SD800 IS. For exposure there are 5 settings; +2, +1, 0, -1, and -2. I think that -2 provides the best representation of the actual blade brightness, so that is what I use. There are 3 different camera angles in the pictures. Full blade, top 1/3 of the blade, and looking from the hilt up to the tip of the blade. Each picture is taken twice, once with flash and once without.

Saber related stuff
For these pictures I used 3 different luxeon sabers and 3 different blade types.
The Corbin blade is a double wrap. All the blades are 36" long. All blades are thick walled polycarbonate.

Anakin ROTS Royal Blue (Corbin, TCSS, Ultra/GeluKhan)
MHS 5W Green driven off Ultrasound (Corbin, TCSS, Ultra/GeluKhan, Xwing) VS Stock MR Luke ROTJ
Darth Maul 3W Red (Corbin, TCSS, Ultra/GeluKhan, Xwing) VS Stock MR Vader ESB

The Anakin only has three blade types because I didn't have a Xwing blade when I still owned that saber :(

Blade Info


Tim's (TCSS) blade diffuser- A milky white diffuser that is similar to the MR
Gelu's film (polypropylene)and Ultra's film (Acetate) - Gives a very even blade. Similar to cellophane gift wrap.
Corbin's film (polycarbonate substrate)- Gives a distinct coring affect and is used mostly in conjunction with his driver board available in the store.
Xwing's blade - 1/16" thick nylon tubing with Gelu's film rolled up inside. Very even blade and lights up all the way to the edges which eliminates the "light in tube" effect.



Now onto the pictures.


DARTH MAUL VS. STOCK MR VADER

Corbin Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1282-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1279-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1283-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1280-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1284-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1281-1.jpg

TCSS Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1288-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1279.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1289-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1286-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1284.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1287-1.jpg

Ultra Film/GeluKhan
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1276-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1273-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1277-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1274-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1278-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Maul/IMG_1275-1.jpg



MHS 5W GREEN VS. STOCK MR LUKE ROTJ

Corbin Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1210-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1213-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1212-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1215-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1211-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1214-1.jpg

TCSS Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1204-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1207-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1206-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1209-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1205-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1208-1.jpg

Ultra Film/GeluKhan
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1198-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1201-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1200-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1203-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1199-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%205%20watter/IMG_1202-1.jpg


ANAKIN ROTS WITH ROYAL BLUE LED
Corbin Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0471-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0470-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0473-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0472-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0480-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0481-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0472-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0473-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0472-1.jpg
TCSS Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0475-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0474-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0475-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0474-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0477-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0476-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0478-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0479-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0478-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0479-1.jpg

Ultra Film/GeluKhan
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0467-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0466-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0469-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0468-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0482-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0483-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0467-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0466-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0469-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0468-1.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0482-1.jpghttp://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0483-1.jpg

A HUGE thank you to Lord Dottore Matto and Maverick J. Smith for editing the pictures for me. Without them I couldn't have posted these.

Novastar
08-30-2008, 04:08 PM
MORE PHOTOS (continued from Lord Maul... I am posting on his behalf to help make this "repository" of comparison photos stay together)...

ANAKIN ROTS

Corbin Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0471-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0471-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0470-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0470-1.jpg)
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0473-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0473-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0472-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0472-1.jpg)
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0480-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0480-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0481-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Corbin%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0481-1.jpg)

TCSS Blade
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0475-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0475-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0474-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0474-1.jpg)
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0477-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0477-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0476-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0476-1.jpg)
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0478-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0478-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0479-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/TCSS%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0479-1.jpg)

Ultra Film/GeluKhan
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0467-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0467-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0466-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0466-1.jpg)
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0469-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0469-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0468-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0468-1.jpg)
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0482-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0482-1.jpg)http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0483-1.jpg (http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Ultra%20Blade%20Pics/IMG_0483-1.jpg)

Lord Maul
08-30-2008, 04:16 PM
The reason I said "Ultrafilm" was because I got the stuff FROM Alex. I can change it easily enough...Certainly can't hurt.

killphil
08-31-2008, 08:31 PM
What about the combo diffusion? Poly P + Corbin film? Thats about the most even there is, if used in the correct quantities.

Or another combo I've tried: Rolling about a yards worth of poly P into a stock MR blade w/plastic diffuser still in it, or the same amount of poly P inside one of Tim's diffused blades.

Seems to be about as even as the corbin+poly P, except not much for extraction/retraction.

And another thing I have found, is that the way the tip is constructed adds a major factor for evenness. I noticed most of the tips in the comparison photos had noticeable tip flaring.

Instead of making my own, the best tips I've used so far are Ultra's tips. Esp his new ones, which utilize some tinting in the plastic to reduce the flaring with great results IMO.

Donnovan Sunrider
08-31-2008, 08:50 PM
Are there distinctions among these as combat ready vs. display blades? That would also be nice to know as a new person doing comparisons.

Thanks for the great pics.

Hasid Lafre
08-31-2008, 09:13 PM
33" tcss blade with 3 foot of pollyP, luxIII cyan bin 2 driven by corbin driver.
Iam going to make another blade like this when I can get a nylon tube for my thinwalled blade.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb168/Sidneyious/Star%20Wars/Jedi%20Stuff/My%20Saber%20Stuff/TCSSstyleBladewithPolyPinlitroomnof.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb168/Sidneyious/Star%20Wars/Jedi%20Stuff/My%20Saber%20Stuff/SD530359.jpg

Lord Dottore Matto
08-31-2008, 09:39 PM
Looks good Lord Maul! (BTW the greens are ready):p

Lord Maul
08-31-2008, 10:21 PM
@Phil: I'd do a combo blade comparison but I don't have one handy unfortunately. When and if I get one I'll get pictures of that too. My tips are just the standard TCSS tip with the aluminum reflective disk added. I don't know about Xwing's, maybe he can chime in here.

@Donnovan: Display blades are 1/16" thick. The battle blades (What are pictured) are 1/8" thick.

@Dottore: Thanks, uploading now :cool:

Lord Dottore Matto
09-01-2008, 01:32 AM
its nice to be able to see them all side by side! I think that I speak for all of us when I say that we appreciate all of the time that we know it took you to do this and that we say thankyou!:p

Stuff like this makes the forum great!:p

Malaki Skywalker
09-01-2008, 10:02 AM
I have to say Xwings blade is VERY VERY VERY even, its beats Ultra and is nearly as even as that stock MR :shock:

And I have to agree with Killphil on the Erv' style blade, next to Xwings blade I can see them having little difference in terms of evenness :razz:

Thanks for uploading LD! :D

Lord Maul
09-01-2008, 11:35 AM
Xwing's are the best hands down. The difference between his and Ultrafilm/geluKhan is more defined in person. Look at the hilt to tip shots for Xwing's and Ultra's. You'll notice that Alex's blade has a bit of a bulb whereas Xwing's is perfect still.

Eandori
09-03-2008, 08:18 PM
Hmmm, the ultra blade seems more evenly lit along it's length to me. Look at the bright core in comparison to Xwings blade... that's a dead giveaway. I bet a Lux-meter would prove that too. Seriously, look at the hilt on Xwing's blade.... much brighter then the middle and tip.

HOWEVER...

Xwing's blade is a bit more "even" across it's width (in comparison to length...) Xwings blade does not have a bright core with dimmer sides, it's kinda uniform like a Master Replica. I find that you get that effect when you sand the outside of a blade.

Remember that a camera will show any color of light as near-white when it's over-saturated. That's a DIRECT indication of brightness. All the parts in a lightsaber picture that look closer to white ARE the brighter sections.

Lord Maul
09-03-2008, 08:25 PM
I'd disagree with that. Take this picture for example
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Xwing%20Blade%20Vs%20ultra%20blade/IMG_1300-1.jpg

Ultra's blade has a clear dimming in the upper section and a light bulb effect whereas Xwing's just gets steadily dimmer.

The blade tip lighting up differently is due to the tips construction. The Ultra film blade has an aluminum disk in its tip (it was originally a TCSS blade) whereas Xwing's blade has a semi reflective film in the tip (fairly sure at least...).

xwingband
09-03-2008, 09:06 PM
@Phil: I'd do a combo blade comparison but I don't have one handy unfortunately. When and if I get one I'll get pictures of that too. My tips are just the standard TCSS tip with the aluminum reflective disk added. I don't know about Xwing's, maybe he can chime in here.

TCSS tips and mirrored mylar I steal from electronic baggies for the mirror. I don't use reflective disks generally because they are a pain to get on perfectly and tend to light the edges. Semi-reflective lights the whole tip a bit better in my opinion. I haven't made a blade yet since Tim started to put them on by default so I'll probably give them a try.

Personally I think most are tricked into thinking that the Ultrablade is "even" by the edge glow it gets on the film. The core if you take a good look at it isn't even the whole length IMO. That being said 100% is not possible, but a flare and the rest being even is the best we can get. That is why I prefer Erv's or mine (both are internally the same as I make them).

EDIT: I've said it before, but our eye's are logarithmic. So a difference is going to be diminished a bit by that. So while it appears mine is dimming the whole length dramatically that is because the camera shows brightness in a linear fashion... which is true in reality, but not to our eyes. By that stroke also unless the "bulbing" is bad it will be harder to see.

Eandori
09-03-2008, 10:12 PM
What about this image comparing the two?
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n187/aluke_2006/Xwing%20Blade%20Vs%20ultra%20blade/IMG_1302-1.jpg
I agree with you that the tip on ultras is not as good as Xwings Tip. I like Xwings tip method better too.

However, the "closer to white" color of the blade in this image pretty much means the camera was getting more light per unit-area on the Ultra blade. That's the beauty of a side-by-side comparison. You get to see where the "whiter" sections are. I actually DID some testing with a Lux meter on lightsaber blades and what I can tell you is that every single time I noticed a "whiter" section on a picture, sure enough that area ALWAYS produced a higher Lux value on the meter.

After doing that for hours, I became pretty convinced that what we see in pictures... is what really is happening. Like Xwing said, our eyes are different and they can play tricks on us, but pictures and light meters tell the real story.

I personally think the "best" luxeon saber blade for straight up looks is this...
- 30" viewable
- Thin-walled
- Mylar mirror tip (like Xwing)
- Polycarbonate tube, internally sanded very evenly (like frost)
- 4 to 6 feet of gift wrap inside (Gelukhan style)
- Luxeon III, or K2 LED.

The statement about which LED is because I think I finally root-caused the hilt flare I get with my Proto3A saber (seen in my signature). It's because the bulb on the Luxeon V is slightly larger, and the focal point inside the same 5 degree lens is not the same as the luxeon III and K2's. A green K2 with everything else the same is more evenly lit then a luxeon V in my saber. Having said that... I really like the brightness of the lux V :)

xwingband
09-04-2008, 05:29 AM
Meh, make whatever conclusion you want about the pictures. Personally, I think it's a plus to look the same from every angle. I don't want to bend my blades to a certain angle to get the best. It's like people saying they can't give up Ultrablades becaus they look metallic when off... it's just a plastic tube when off who gives a flip what it looks like off?!?!

Also, camera's aren't are eyes. That's good and bad. Most haven't tried my blades (or Erv's for that matter) so basing a desicion on pictures is foolish. I've tried more styles of blades than 99% of people and Erv's and my nylon are the best IMO. You say sanding is going to make the "best" blade... well, sanding and nylon do the same thing.

Eandori
09-04-2008, 08:53 PM
I agree that blades that look the same from every angle are better. I would prefer that too. I don't really care how my blades look when off as long as they don't look bad in some way. Like dented, or smudged with paint from things I have been hitting :P

If sanding and Nylon do the same thing, yet a sanded Polycarbonate blade is far more durable then Nylon... then I prefer a Sanded Polycarbonate blade.

I agree with you that comparing pictures is not the same as comparing in person. Pictures really are different then real life. It's not true that pictures convey 100% of the human experience. However... it's also not true that pictures convey 0% of the human experience. You really can get SOME idea of how the blade will look. Just not exactly. Hopefully you would easily agree with that.

The light flaring on the carpet is also a dead giveaway of the actual brightness coming from the blade. To my eyes, the ultra blade has more carpet flaring then the Xwing blade in the middle/tip. I think that ultra blade would benefit by having an internal sanding job and the same tip as the Xwingblade, but it does appear to have more light in the middle/end of the blade.

Please note, the blade that I'm suggesting as my favorite isn't represented in these pictures. I described it exactly above, with the hardest part being the very even sanding job "like frost" on the inside.

I'm not knocking your blade Xwing. You do great work and your stuff looks wonderful. I love how even your nylon blade looks across it's width. It's very cool :)

Cheers,

Lord Maul
09-16-2008, 04:00 PM
Okay, I now have a blue Rebel LED if anyone wants comparisons with that saber. It can be against a 3W red, Vader, or 3W blue. My 5W saber is being rebuilt.

killphil
09-16-2008, 09:03 PM
Please do. And I'd love to see it compared to a blue III.

Lord Maul
09-16-2008, 09:04 PM
Which comparison specifically? And what blade type(s)?

LeMoel
09-16-2008, 09:24 PM
Hey Xwing question about your blades because i think i can say i have tryed every type of blade except 4 yours, the only reason i didnt end up ordering yours was because I was scared of it not being strong enough, can it break? or how much damage can it take?

and maul thanks 4 the comparison pics

And the thing i like about the Ultra blade is the good filtering results,heres a 272 lumen atlas led

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5ojlQbg-Do

Novastar
09-17-2008, 02:35 AM
LeMoel... in your vids... are you passing your lightsource ALL the way through the saber? (from hilt pommel all the way through saber body out into the blade)

Hope I'm wrong, but... just curious...

xwingband
09-17-2008, 08:21 AM
After having mine and sold a few I'd say it's as good as thin PolyC. It's a different feel (stiffer) but it can take as much damage as it. If anything it's better as it's doesn't fracture. It blemishes and creases as opposed to cracking and shattering.

Malaki Skywalker
09-17-2008, 11:50 AM
I have both Erv' style and Ultra's/Gelu blades, and out of them Erv' style has to be the best for a few reasons:

*Very Even
*Still has a bit of a Core
*Brilliant for showing Extension/Retraction effects
*Lighter

So you get the best of the Cellophane for evenness and the best of effects with the Corbin film, however, the BIG seam going along the blade From the Corbins film is annoying :rolleyes:

I'm not bashing Ultra's blade, just pointing out that Erv's blade is another awesomely matched option :cool:

Could you build one up LM and add it to the comparison?

Hasid Lafre
09-17-2008, 01:16 PM
Well he does have corbin film and a roll of ultra film.

LeMoel
09-17-2008, 01:30 PM
Nova first of all i have to say wow good eyes,yes it is going all the way through the hilts body. Now the reason for that is because i just wanted to see what the filters looked like in a blade. Its only a demo saber what i made when i was younger so i couldnt set it up like it is supose to be nor did i feel like it since its just a arts and crafts piece of junk. Of course when i use my real saber that i lathed then it will be set up properly.

xwing thats a decent strength,i always felt that ur nylon blades would be perfect 4 custom led strings. I can see my myself liking xwings blade better that erv's style

Lord Maul
09-17-2008, 03:24 PM
Could you build one up LM and add it to the comparison?


I could...Just need to get around to it. Laziness is a big factor here :p

Anavrin
09-22-2008, 06:18 AM
In terms of lumen output, I'd say they're throwing the same total, just differently diffused. The carpet around them seems to be showing fairly similar light spill, so I'd guess we're seeing the same amount of throw. So it all comes down to personal diffusion preference. Eventually, I'll build my saber and we'll see how that looks XD (By the by, I'm mad, brilliant, or both. We'll see after I order all the needs)

xl97
09-22-2008, 06:42 AM
ummm..isnt that waht this thread is about? the blade diffusion differences? comparrisons?

MaverickJsmith
09-28-2008, 05:04 AM
Yeah, that is quite a difference.

I'd like to see blade comparison photos taken with one of those camera's that don't overexpose the images, like nearly all digital camera's do. One of those camera's that take pictures like we see, so we can get a really good comparison.

That would be sweet to see.

Maverick

Mcich
09-28-2008, 05:20 AM
nice to see the old Fury helping out there :D

you just convinced me to get an Erv style instead of an Ultra, guess who is gonna have to do it for me :P lol

Obi-Ben
03-10-2009, 12:34 PM
Currently only the Corbin style and TCSS style blades are available in the store. Will others be added? Where can one find an Ultra Film/GeluKhan blade?

Count Malik
03-10-2009, 01:03 PM
Currently only the Corbin style and TCSS style blades are available in the store. Will others be added? Where can one find an Ultra Film/GeluKhan blade?

Ultra blades = ultra sabers web site. P.S. IMPO I would go with Erv's style blade, which is poly-p and corbin film. Corbin film is in the shop and poly-p at most craft stores...(i.e. hobby lobby, etc.) here is a vid. of Ervs blade and how to make one.- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyJVyRDm0Y4

Obi-Ben
03-11-2009, 09:02 AM
So they're not hard to make then?

Jedi-Loreen
03-11-2009, 09:30 AM
No, they're not.

The hardest part, to me, is keeping the cellophane clean when you lay it out to roll up onto your dowel. My roll is only about 30" wide, so I have to roll some out, cut it off and roll it along the width to get the length I need.

If the weather's dry it's going to have a lot of static cling, and will pick up dust and hair, especially if you have a pet in the house that sheds. You need to do it on an absolutely clean surface.

You don't want that crap inside your blade, especially if you were only doing the cellophane wrap alone.

Jay-gon Jinn
03-11-2009, 11:42 AM
So they're not hard to make then?

Yknow, there's a stickied topic just below this one that shows you the basics of making an led blade:
http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?t=7274

Obi-Ben
03-11-2009, 12:12 PM
Yknow, there's a stickied topic just below this one that shows you the basics of making an led blade:
http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?t=7274

Yeah, I saw that. But the video Count Malik posted set my mind at ease in terms of my ability to do it properly. Hence the rhetorical question.

Jay-gon Jinn
03-11-2009, 12:21 PM
Well, then, the rhetorical answer is, no, they're not that hard to make. ;)

Edwin's video is a pretty accurate look at the differences in the blade film types. Most of my blades are done the same way.

Caine Drathul
03-11-2009, 12:22 PM
Thanks for all this great info...it's great to see so many blades side by side. I haven't tried out nearly as many blades as most of you have, but after reading this thread, I think it's time for me to pick up a TCSS blade and maybe one of Xwing's...since I am going to start working on a MHS saber soon.

Now, has anyone had a chance to pick up a new UltraEdge? I posted these pics on Saberwars. The first set is a Blazing Red Dominix with a Heavy Dueling UltraBlade, on the right and an UltraEdge on the left.

The next set is a Consular Green UltraFx Luke ROTJ on the left with an UltraEdge and an Ultrasabers Elder on the right with an UltraEdge.

I'd be curious to see the UltraEdge next to some of the other blades...but as far as brightness goes I am very impressed with the UltraEdge. I guess to see it with other LED's would be another test.

Jay-gon Jinn
03-11-2009, 12:41 PM
I could do that if i had two sabers that were the same color...right now they are all different...I like the UltraEdge, I have about three of them for my own sabers and they really seem to work best if you have a saber with a filtered white led. The color tone stays the same throughout the blade instead of washing out near the tip.

Lord Maul
03-11-2009, 03:17 PM
Patience... Soon I will be doing a thin walled blade comparison with every blade type (that comes thin walled)...

UltraEdge
Gelukhan
Erv' style
Xwing
Corbin double wrap

In 3 colors.

Count Malik
03-11-2009, 08:46 PM
@ Lord Maul- I have two royal blue sabers- one with a ultra fx blade and one with poly-p and Corbin film. Let me know if I could help...:p
to get sorta the same effect as a ultra edge (like jay-gon said) sanding dose help. just to second that...:cool:

Lord Maul
03-11-2009, 09:59 PM
I'm doing it with a Tri Rebel. That way every LED is driven the same way, same board, same everything. It is as controlled as I can get it

Caine Drathul
03-11-2009, 10:16 PM
I could do that if i had two sabers that were the same color...right now they are all different...I like the UltraEdge, I have about three of them for my own sabers and they really seem to work best if you have a saber with a filtered white led. The color tone stays the same throughout the blade instead of washing out near the tip.

I was wondering about that. I have been considering getting a saber with a white LED but it seems that colors with the filters seem to wash out...but now that I know that it just reinforces my opinion of the UltraEdge. Thanks for the tip.

Count Malik
03-12-2009, 07:24 PM
cool! rgb!

thejedilestat
05-23-2009, 01:56 AM
I could do that if i had two sabers that were the same color...right now they are all different...I like the UltraEdge, I have about three of them for my own sabers and they really seem to work best if you have a saber with a filtered white led. The color tone stays the same throughout the blade instead of washing out near the tip.

hmmm so i should try this with my white k2 and orange filter i got from TCSS... lee filters should be in the mail soon :cool:

Novastar
05-23-2009, 03:16 AM
I was wondering about that. I have been considering getting a saber with a white LED but it seems that colors with the filters seem to wash out...but now that I know that it just reinforces my opinion of the UltraEdge. Thanks for the tip.Hi Caine... yeah... as strange as it may seem... differing diffusion methods will react differently with differing LEDs.

When you think about it... it actually does make sense though. Just like when the "bin" of a cyan (for example) is altered, it changes the way we perceive the color... changing any OTHER aspect of how the light gets configured (like the diffuser) will *also* yield different results.

In fact... if you have a VERY bright white LED (say a P7)... it's not going to react the same to a filter as a white P4. In fact, you'd need a filter that is a "deeper" color (with LESS transference) for the P7 to produce a nice yellow (for example) vs. the filter you'd use with a P4.

It seems all complicated, but... you know how it goes: change ONE aspect = changes everything. :)

Onlyone
09-29-2009, 04:02 PM
I can't be the only one that's confused here...:confused:

I have no idea which pics are which...

In the description there's 4 film types...and 6 pics of each colour.

I'm totally lost...these pics need better lables.

Jedi-Loreen
09-29-2009, 05:02 PM
Are you talking about the pics on the first page? What don't you understand? They are showing the 3 basic colors, red, green and blue, with each blade type.

3 different angles: flat on the floor, showing the whole blade; angled away from the camera from the hilt end; and concentrating on the tip.

2 lighting situations, lights out and lights on.

Onlyone
09-30-2009, 05:03 AM
The confusing part was that four film types were listed and only 3 shown.

I get it now..I was tired.

The last one "ultra" looks nice. Appears to have a wide core effect from an angle and brighter edges side on. But its well lite!

Onlyone
09-30-2009, 05:19 AM
wait a minute is xwings the one on the left all the time?
I thought they were stock MR.

They are even but don't seem as bright and have dim spots. Which could be the photo.

Jedi-Loreen
09-30-2009, 11:57 AM
You know, I'm getting confused now, too. :?

Onlyone
09-30-2009, 12:22 PM
From what I can tell xwing is cloaked because I don't see a sign of it...

Only TCSS, Corbin, and Ultra.

Hehe..."I can't be the only one that's confused here..."

Lord Maul
09-30-2009, 03:24 PM
I took Xwing down. These are thick walled only, and the Xwing is thin walled. Once my RGB saber is done, I will be doing thin walled sets.

Darth Abominor
11-20-2009, 11:46 AM
Amber Lux3 and P4 Red LEDs with Heavy (thick walled 1/8th) SaberForge Lathe Sanded blades with or without TCSS White Blade Diffusers. Dim room, sunlight filtered via blinds.

Amber without Diff:
http://lasersportsusa.com/images/lightsabers/amber_sf.jpg

Amber with Diff:
http://lasersportsusa.com/images/lightsabers/amber_sf_diff.jpg

Red without Diff:
http://lasersportsusa.com/images/lightsabers/red_sf.jpg

Red with Diff:
http://lasersportsusa.com/images/lightsabers/red_sf_diff.jpg

enigma1337
11-23-2009, 10:35 PM
the diffusers give it a nice core and big hilt flare, but an uneven glow and vice versa

but im liking the flare of the diffusers, i cant wait to build mine