Tip shadows

[Bianchi]

OK, this is probably a stupid question, but here goes:

Ever since TCSS started using the non-metallic reflective disc, sabers have not shown the "tip shadow"/dark spot phenomenon (point a lit saber to a wall while close to it and you'll know what I'm talking about).

The problem: even with these new non-aluminum mirrors, I'm still getting tip shadows.

Only one of my sabers (a green Lux III) doesn't cast a tip shadow.

Any advice on this? If I'm doing anything wrong, please, tell me.

Thanks again.

[Rafalema]

Well I have this same "problem" but it never bothers me.

I believe that the only way around this is to drill a hole to your reflective disc.

[Bianchi]

Just curiosity...has anybody ever tried not using reflective discs at all?

[Jay-gon Jinn]

Just curiosity...has anybody ever tried not using reflective discs at all?

Yup.

If you remove the mirror the blade tip will light up, and cast enough light on the wall to eliminate this shadow effect, but you will lose brightness in the middle of the blade, and trade one bad side effect for another: "light-bulbing" at the tip. You need a mirror or reflective material of some sort to eliminate that effect, so use a smaller mirror to help light the blade tip better and maintain the brightness of the blade. Try removing the mirror on the blade tip, and cutting it down. Then re-attach it and see how it looks.

[Crystal Chambers]

I wouldn't recommend drilling a hole in the center because then you have the opposite problem. I tried a mirror for 3/4" blades and it's an improvement.

[Bianchi]

OK! Thanks again for the wisdom, guys.

EDIT:
to Jay-Gon: were you using any mirrors when you compared the blue Rebel, P4 and Lux III LEDs? The lighting effect you've got with those blades was amazing.

[Jay-gon Jinn]

OK! Thanks again for the wisdom, guys.

EDIT:
to Jay-Gon: were you using any mirrors when you compared the blue Rebel, P4 and Lux III LEDs? The lighting effect you've got with those blades was amazing.

You meant the Rebel led test pictures? Yes, those sabers all had mirrors on the tips...similar to what Crystal posted....I took the original mirrors off, and cut them down to a smaller diameter, then put them back on.

[Bianchi]

Say, around half the diameter?

[Strydur]

If we can come up with a consensus on what works best I would be happy to adjust the tips.

[Sunrider]

On this blade (top) I pulled the mirror disk off & cut 1 or 2 mm from around the edge & stuck it back on. It seems to work pretty good like that.

MR Luke looks sorry in this respect on bottom.