Original Saber

Hey guys

 

So I'm looking into eventually getting an original Saber (the one with the armor) but I've run into some trouble.

 

Of the dolls I can find they come into three camps: WAY to expensive for an already expensive doll, yellowed particularly in the head, and weak leg joint (the seller says she can't stand on her own due to something with the internal frame/ heavy armor and clothes) . Are any of these problems fixed or should I just wait around?

 

This doll is kind of one I've always wanted so I want to get the right one.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

1. It's an old limited doll and will be expensive. Or more expensive. It's original, first Saber, after all.

But probably some of the offers are unreasonable, it happened in the past and will happen in future.

2. I'm not sure if You can un-yellow the head. Maybe the same way like treating stains, or un-yellowing other plastics (using peroxide gel or similar)

3. Original Saber used standard DD II body. There are some infos about tightening/bettering the knee joints in the type II body.

 

And I'm not sure what do You mean by "Are any of these problems fixed" ?

The original Saber was released 9 years ago (in 2008) and all these dolls are 9 years old. Who should fix it?

 

Just buy a reasonable priced one, maybe fix what You can fix by yourself and be happy

What a lot of people do is just buy the doll and upgrade the body to a DIII and just sell the DII body in parts.

 

As for yellowing I don't think there's really a fix for it, unless someone masks the yellowing through a faceup. Having the whole head re-painted.

 

If you need help finding cheaper ones you can look in secondhand websites like Mandarake, I've seen some older Sabers pop up there for a great price.

 

But yeah the first saber is a very old girl, don't be surprised to see most of them yellowed. Unfortunately vinyl begins to age and yellow over time.

Everyone already pointed out the obv - "classic" Saber is almost a decade-old limited release

 

if you absolutely want the next best thing - buy a Saber/Extra head (she was out as a pre-order instead of lottery, Volks made waaaaay more of her!) and get her faceup changed. Her mold is exactly the same as original Saber, just with newer materials (soft headcap for easy removal too) and her wig is the same bun but with a red ribbon instead of blue

Then just buy a normal skin DD base-3 body to place her on

 

Saber's trademark clothes (all the dress pieces, not armor) can be bought as a replica outfit. Get the sword as 1/3 scale letter opener (yes these exist, yes they cost as much as real blade... but look excellent!)

I have a Saber Extra and a Saber Lily. Lily in my mind is worth the premium she cost me. She is a totally different head mold from the others and her armor set is awesome. Her head mold is one of the most beautiful Volks has made. I put Kos-Mos ahead of her because she has more delicate features, but Lily is superb.

 

I totally agree with what is posted above about getting a Saber Extra. You can find saber wigs in a variety of styles third party, and you can probably pick up the armor and weapons set for Original by camping Yahoo Japan Auctions.

 

Extra is pretty cool, but her original wig is really tight, and hard to get on. There are third party options to replace it, but I never bothered.

 

I had put Extra on a layaway figuring I would never get Lily, and then ended up bring a Lily home before I paid off Extra. That kind of left me free to treat Extra as more of an original character. She looks really nice in a variety of wavy long haired wigs, and she doesn't really look good in the one she came with, so I never even miss it. I think she would look good in the wig that came with Original.

 

The DII body is a pain to take apart and work with compared to the DIII. Chise is totally on the money when she says get an Extra head and stick it on a DDIII. It's got a more flexible posing range too. You can pose a DDIII sitting upright with her legs crossed at the ankles and her knees together, but the DDII I have to spread their knees apart just to get them to sit upright in the first place, and forget crossing their legs when they are sitting.

 

The ball joints at the shoulders aren't very pleasing visually either.

Thanks so much on your advice guys!

 

I ended up finding a deal on a full set of the original Saber with no yellowing on the head. While a Saber Extra would be slightly better, I did some of the math in my head and it added up to about what I'm paying for this if I were to get a head, body, clothes, face up commission (since I dunno what I'm doing there), and the armor and sword.

 

I will be upgrading her to a DDIII eventually though since your advice on that was really helpful and she was marked down for staining (which seemed to be exaggerated somewhat)

 

I ended up getting her from Entertainment Hobby Shop Jungle in Akihabara.

One thing that just occurred to me. If she has been in a box for a long time be prepared for her wig to need some straightening. Long term storage can cause the wig fibers to take the shape they have been resting in. With her short twintails this can cause them to hang in a way that defies gravity.

 

If you find that it does all you will need to do is hold it upright then pour very hot, but not boiling, water down the pony tail or twintails. Obviously be sure to hold it in a way that keeps you from pouring the water on your hands. Hot water and gravity will straighten the fibers perfectly.

 

You may also find that you will need to wash the wig. Soaking it in warm water mixed with a capfull of Woolite for a few hours can do wonders for a used wig.

 

In either event let it dry fully before putting it on her.

One thing that just occurred to me. If she has been in a box for a long time be prepared for her wig to need some straightening. Long term storage can cause the wig fibers to take the shape they have been resting in. With her short twintails this can cause them to hang in a way that defies gravity.

 

If you find that it does all you will need to do is hold it upright then pour very hot, but not boiling, water down the pony tail or twintails. Obviously be sure to hold it in a way that keeps you from pouring the water on your hands. Hot water and gravity will straighten the fibers perfectly.

 

You may also find that you will need to wash the wig. Soaking it in warm water mixed with a capfull of Woolite for a few hours can do wonders for a used wig.

 

In either event let it dry fully before putting it on her.

 

Oh. I haven't thought of that. Thank you for the tip!

 

Yeah. I might also need to wash her dress. I was just impressed to find her with her head unyellowed.

I have yet to get a used DD that really needed it's clothing washed, but I have gotten both new and used clothes that had loose buttons and snaps. It's useful to have a small sewing kit with needles, and a variety of thread colors. Eventually you're going to have to sew a button back on.

Edited May 1, 2017 by Guest

I've got new clothing that needs stuff sewn back on. It seems sewing is part of the hobby.

Ok I got her and I must admit she's in amazing condition. Like almost new with some very minor body staining.

 

The thing I need to ask you guys is her Ahoge (the hair the sticks up) is a little floppy? What do I use to make it stick up more? I figured I'd ask before I use gel or something and potentially ruin my wig.

 

I'll post picture of her tomorrow!

Volks sells wig wax for that kind of thing.

Volks sells wig wax for that kind of thing.

 

Awesome! I guess I'll go with that.

There is a thread on stain removal in the care and repairs section of the forum. If they are body stains and you're getting a DDIII then the issue is probably moot, but if you want to keep her on the DDII then you should be able to restore her to perfect condition with a little effort.

 

They always look so much more amazing in person.

 

Volks sometimes does the ahoge with glue so it may be difficult to change the shape. I've never tried removing the glue, but I've been told that depending on what they use it can make a sticky mess if you wash it.

There is a thread on stain removal in the care and repairs section of the forum. If they are body stains and you're getting a DDIII then the issue is probably moot, but if you want to keep her on the DDII then you should be able to restore her to perfect condition with a little effort.

 

They always look so much more amazing in person.

 

Volks sometimes does the ahoge with glue so it may be difficult to change the shape. I've never tried removing the glue, but I've been told that depending on what they use it can make a sticky mess if you wash it.

 

Hmm it is less about the shape and more about it standing up. It seems like it just needs some of this Volks wig gel or spray to touch it up so it stands better over washing it out and starting over.

Just took some photos and uploaded them if anyone is curious.

Thanks for all your help!

No problem, and congratulations. She's awesome looking.