**Comparison - Part 2**
Hey everyone,
I hope everybody is enjoying the holidays!
After the recent hype from Ahsoka Episodes 4 & 5, a lot of hilts were theorized to have been used by Hayden as his Belt-Hanger and the Stunt saber (Refer to
Pages 2 & 3 for more details) - The ones that were on the list at first were the Master Replicas (Belt-Hanger) and the SP Spinflex (Stunt). However, after more examination of shots taken from Episode 5, it was agreed that a TXQ hilt was used as
both the Belt-Hanger and the Stunt. The stunt was just modified by taking the control box out.
At first, it was theorized that they used a Gen 1 of the TXQ since there's at least one visible difference between the Hilt they used versus the current version that TXQ is selling. However, after doing a little bit of research I concluded that it couldn't be a Gen 1 since the following is ACTUALLY the Gen1:
As you can see, the Gen 1 has a brushed or at least what is clearly an aluminum clamp section.
As seen in Ahsoka, it is very clearly a Chromed clamp.
I had a talk with James Xie (TXQ Rep and Designer) to try to see if I could get an idea of the version they used, but the truth is that the TXQ Anakin has had A LOT of minor Revisions, each one trying to get closer to what we see in Revenge of the Sith and it's really hard to track down which version exactly it is that they used in Ahsoka. We can definitely infer that it is one closer to the Latest version they are selling though.
With that said, I did grab a TXQ recently after a high certainty that it was used in the Show (Even if it's a slightly newer version) and I decided to compare it to my 7Chambers Aniflex which is considered the most accurate to Revenge Of The Sith.
**Bunny Ears** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
The TXQ/Ahsoka seems to have more of a Flat or Square shape to the Ears, while the Aniflex/ROTS has more rounded ones.
Also interesting detail: The TXQ/Ahsoka seems to the Copper Button holder sitting more flush while the Aniflex/ROTS sits a little out.
**Brass Pins** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
TXQ/Ahsoka pins seem less straightened out with a "base" at the bottom and a different shape than the Aniflex/ROTS ones.
**Blade Plug/Emitter Pin** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
TXQ/Ahsoka pinhas more of a detailed shape with a crevice(?) while the Aniflex/ROTS has a straight pin with a base at the bottom. In addition, the Aniflex/ROTS has a slant at the mouth of the emitter.
**Emitter Curve** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
TXQ/Ahsoka has more of an "S" shaped curve while Aniflex/ROTS has more of a tangent-shaped curve.
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*Buttons (Glasseye and Copper)** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
The TXQ/Ahsoka buttons have more of a dark red copper finish while the Aniflex/ROTS have a more Orange Marbled/Bakelite finish.
**Clamp Knurling** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
It seems to me that while the Aniflex/ROTS knurling section is chromed, the TXQ/Ahsoka is polished aluminum, maybe kept from the Gen 1 version shown above, which had an entire aluminum clamp.
**Clampcard & Gold Switch** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
As seen, the clamp card on the TXQ/Ahsoka sits more recessed in the control box, while the one on the Aniflex/ROTS sits more flush and even. It also seems to have deeper and thicker circuitry "grooves". In addition, the control box Black part seems to have two small screws that hold the switch mechanism together.
When it comes to the Gold Switch, the Aniflex/ROTS seems a little paler and more like polished brass compared to the Gold look of the TXQ/Ahsoka one.
An interesting detail though is that compared to the version I'm showing, the one in Ahsoka has a longer switch:
This, plus the current version's body being brass seem to be the only changes from the version seen in Ahsoka.
**Grip Section (And Covertec Alignment)** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
TXQ/Ahsoka grips are made of rubber whereas the Aniflex/ROTS has ones made of plastic. However, the interesting part to me is the alignment of the covertec wheel - On the Aniflex, it's properly aligned but on the TXQ it almost lines up with the Glasseye button. But interestingly enough, that isn't the case as seen in Ahsoka. It's possible that they used Timing Shims to align theirs since the TXQ Hilt is infamous for improper clocking. But it also could be the case that they got a properly clocked one.
**Pommel** - TXQ (Left), Aniflex (Right)
One of the things that made us determine that it was a TXQ that they used is the pommel. Like in the show, the pommel has a seam as if it was removable. Other hilts have this feature too, like the LGT Anislayer, 89Sabers Skinnyflex, or Elf ROTSFlex but like in Ahsoka, the TXQ doesn't have any detailing or patterns like the Aniflex/ROTS - which the others have some sort of pattern. This one is solid with only the little "hole" in the center.
With all this said, I hope you've found this as interesting as I have. I had a comparison video to go with this in the works, but it had to be postponed to a cold I'm currently having
As soon as I am well enough though, I plan to get back up and running with it!
Thanks for reading! And eager to hear everyone's thoughts