Cancer: Zodiac 6
Around 2019, I challenged myself to machine a saber from scratch in under 24 hours. The challenge was a success, and the hilt came out great. However, that was four years of experience ago. This year, I wanted to challenge myself further, increasing the detail of the design, and installing the electronics all in under 24 hours.
In December of 2023, I attempted the challenge again, and completed The Mayfly. The owner was enthralled, and challenged me to complete one 24-hour saber build each month in 2024. This is the sixth of twelve, which I am calling the Zodiac Challenge.
The request for this saber was "Sword". For this build, and the rest going forward, I had my artist do a concept art for me to work off of. I wish I had done this sooner, as I'm a sucker for a whole "before and after" theme.
This was the first sword or cross guard I had ever made, so I wanted it to be special. The guards are sloped inward slightly, and are one piece that screws into the main emitter body with a course thread and blue threadlock. The emitter features a Graflex style S-slope, and a Starkiller inspired keyed slot. The blade retention screw was made from scratch on my jeweller's lathe. The emitter holds two brass tactile switches in a sloped brass control box.
The grip features a solid cocobolo sleeve, not veneer. Below that is a custom acid etch designed during the one-day period specifically for this saber. The pommel houses an MHS pommel vent insert, which is the only non-original part in this saber. It is sized to be wielded comfortably with one hand or two.
Total build time: 12hr 33min