Actually, it made me cringe each time I hit the blade on the wall (yes, it was a wall), but I figured it'd count as my taps for the day, or the week rather. If you remember someone posting about a rattling and squeaky blade from hitting a bed, that was me. :( So it was a double cringe each time I made a clash sound, but my saber thankfully made it out alive (though I don't think I'll try that again). And I might try just hitting the hilt next time instead of the blade; I remember trying it once or twice but not getting anything, but maybe I wasn't hitting it hard enough.
About the purple, grogTM, they didn't use purple LEDs because I don't think they make them; I could be wrong about this, but it was always my impression. The blade isn't as purple as this, but more of a lighter, kinda pastel-like version of the purple. I think the few pictures where it actually has a purple glow is the closest to what it actually looks like, though the picture hides the blotches pretty well. It's not quite as cool as the real thing, but you'll love it if you have it, even if it takes a little while.