About Lightsabers

[Darth Rageous]

For those who do not know much about lightsabers.


The Double-Bladed Lightsaber or "saber-staff" is a unique variant in which the handle is about three times the length of a standard lightsaber and has two beam emitters; one at each end. The beams can be activated and deactivated independently, allowing for a lot of versatility. This weapon was invented by the Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun nearly four thousand years before the Battle of Yavin. Kun's 'saber was notable in that he was able to carefully adjust both its length, from half a meter to one and a half meters, as well as its intensity, allowing the blades' power to vary from that of a deadly blade to an intangible, harmless beam of light. The double-bladed lightsaber proved to be a very popular weapon among the Sith and Dark Jedi of Darth Revan's new Sith Empire. Besides Exar Kun, notable wielders of this weapon include Zez-Kai Ell, Jorak Uln, Uthar Wynn, Darth Bandon, Bastila Shan, Darth Maul, (possibly Jaden Korr), and Azrakel the dark warrior. Use of double-bladed lightsabers as primary weapons has been frowned upon by the Jedi because of their aggressive nature and usage. Though most Jedi double-bladed lightsabers are used for training purposes, some Jedi do specialize in their use as weapons.

Other lightsaber variants include the massive lightclub wielded by the Dark Jedi Gorc, and the lightwhip, a rare and exotic weapon used by Githany, Ona Nobis, Kit Fisto, and Lady Lumiya.

[Empress Palpatine]

Lightwhip? Is that like the thing the Balrog uses against Gandalf in the first Lord of the Rings? (It pulls him down into the crevass).

I always took lightsabers to be symbolic of energies. Red is passion/agression/fiery kundalini. Blue is the opposite smooth/calm/intellect. Green is growth/heart/love. Any thoughts?

[Lord Exar Kun]

yes, lightsabers are symbolic. i think they symbolize their owner/creator. each lightsaber is different and it reflects the wielders own inner self. lightsabers are deeply personal, reflecting the ideals and emotions of the creator. i agree with Empress Palpantine about the three basic colors. question though. Leia, in the later books, carries a ruby-red blade. what does that make her?

[Darth Rageous]

I think lightsabers are like color belts in martial arts; for instance, green representing growth and purple represents royalty ones' own ego. like what Empress Palpatine... its symbolic to your next evolution.

[Lord Exar Kun]

being from a martial arts background and having studied many different forms, i think that belts are overrated. most of the beliefs in "belts" is very Americanized. many styles of kung-fu, one of the oldest martial arts, do not believe in belts. lightsabers reflect the inner feelings.

[Darth Rageous]

No, Belts are to represent the time and effort you've put in the classes... however, I'm just making the color ranks as an analogy to the light sabers. The handle and how the light saber is constructed refects the feelings and personality of the individual. We know this part well, what I was try to say is the color of the lightsaber is like the the color belts in martial arts. Each color indicating the rank.

[Mrs. Darth Vader]

lordexarkun said:

yes, lightsabers are symbolic. i think they symbolize their owner/creator. each lightsaber is different and it reflects the wielders own inner self. lightsabers are deeply personal, reflecting the ideals and emotions of the creator. i agree with Empress Palpantine about the three basic colors.

I thought I would quote you Lord Exar Kun since I agree with you on the symbolism of the lightsaber. I also think they are a powerful weapon. because Han Solo used Luke's lightsaber to cut the dead Tonton to save Luke from freezeing to death. But assentially the lightsaber reveals the wielder who owns it.

[Lord Exar Kun]

i apologize for misunderstanding you Darth Rageous. now that i understand your meaning, i agree with you.

[Mrs. Darth Vader]

Now that you flip floped Exar Kun I disagree with you.

[Darth Rageous]

He does not flip flop... its a matter of perspective. Unlearn your old jedi dogmatic views Mrs. Darth Vader.

[Darth Rageous]

Lord Kun, I like the idea of you understanding me, to me this means you are a true Star Wars Fan, and a Sith as well.

[Empress Palpatine]

Is there some sort of right and wrong answer here? Is there a Jedi view or a Sith view of the meaning of lightsabers?

[Darth Rageous]

There is no right or wrong... its all matter of perspective.

[Lord Exar Kun]

everything is about perspective. lightsabers are very personal, they represent power and the skill and time needed to master such an "elegant" weapon. Jedi and Sith have different perspectives about lightsabers. for me, a lightsaber represents the red-hot fire of anger, melting and burning anything that it touches.

[Darth Rageous]

Yes, I agree... red is my favorite color, and I have a force FX lightsaber from Master Replicas. You know its a red one... lol Lord Kun do you have any lightsabers?

[darthdevious]

A very large folding knife duplicates many of the properties of a lightsaber. I have a folder with a 6 inch blade and a 7 inch handle. It is almost a machete when opened.

[Lord Exar Kun]

i have the replica Darth Vader lightsaber. i does not extend, but it is very cool. i also found a "kit" that was made with different lightsaber parts and you can mix and match them to make your own design. it is more of a toy for kids, but very fun to experiment.
Darth Devious-i also have many folding knives. i own five swords, real and very sharp. swords are as close to a lightsaber as you can get. lightsabers, generally, have a three foot blade and the hilt which can be a foot in length. my katana matches a lightsabers dimensions and i can readily draw the sword and use it very well. i have been training for almost 15 years. in my opinion, the only thing a folder shares with a lightsaber is the ability to close the blade. to, as you said, duplicate the properties of a lightsaber, requires a weapon much larger than 13 inches of blade and handle.

[lokair]

I disagree , A light sabre, while being made by the Jedi in question, they are but tools also any one can turn one on, Han Solo in ESB( and that Sabre was made by Anikin). The colors represent the focus Crystals , or lense if you prefer, there is no meaning in the colours, they are just that colours.

As to a sword being the closest I would agree , but because you are good with a sword(I have been training in long sword dueling for quite some time) does not mean you will be good with a Light sabre. the blade has no weight, the handle is of course very heavey, and it is alluded to that it has centrifical weight as well(this is though it has some thing very heavey spinning inside of it at a high speed)this would make it hard to wield as a simple move would now be some thing you would have to learn to compensate for. I have held Gryros(mechanical version, not the food) while they are spun up to 10,000 rpm and to just move them in a simple direction takes a lot of fennese and skill. I have thought of making one in the shape of a Light Sabre handle and working with a very light composite blade just to see how difficult it would be to do any thing with it.

Also Light Sabres while being the weapon of the Jedi , they are not the prefered weapon of the Sith , that weapon is lies, deceit, manipulation of facts to gain power.

Lokair

[Lord Exar Kun]

i have to ask a question. if lightsabers are merely tools, why does each Jedi make a different one? tools are mass produced to assist people in everday tasks. while i agree that lightsabers are tools to assist both Jedi and Sith, they represent the individuals. there are no same lightsabers. some have Force activated switches, so not everyone can turn them on. i also did not mean to sound that being able to wield a sword would be the same as wielding a lightsaber. i understand the differences between the two, however the basics are similar.
lightsabers are just as important and personal to a Sith. if anything, a Sith will draw his/her lightsaber faster than a Jedi. Jedi prefer to talk. Sith want to fight to prove who is stronger. every Sith i am familiar with has a lightsaber and some Sith, such as Darth Maul and Exar Kun took lightsaber building and training far beyond that of a Jedi.

[Empress Palpatine]

Sometimes personally important items are custom made. Do you remember the James Bond film MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN? Scaramanga's gun was custom made. And swords...There is such a huge variety of decore on the blades and hilts. In LORD OF THE RINGS swords even had names like Anduril, Sting, etc. For some reason Jedi didn't actually give their lightsabers names, but the idea would have been plausible.

There is still a fascination with swords even long after they have ceased to be a practical weapon. Some still practice with them to do medieval reenactment. I even bought one at one medieval fair, one that can even be used. I have a model of Aragorn's sword. My friend has a model of Frodo's Sting. One has to be aware though, when buying swords that some are decorative or just props. They have to be made a certain way for actual use.

I notice with those Wal-Mart light sabers that you cannot hit them too hard. They are not strong enough. They are more props. Trying out a real one is not an option. Can you imagine though; if fans could get or make real ones, think of all the slicing that would occur. Humans sliced like butter, even buildings knocked down.

[lokair]

Sorry if i came off harsh on this subject, but if you study weapons the prized katana's, claymore's and such were rarely ever used in battle , they were mear decorations. I have owned and sold own quite a few swords. Alot of swords with names were decoration the warriors, even the best in the land used what were called soldier swords or martial swords for battle. Using the decorative famouse swords for dress uniforms and special events. So just in my opion with Anikin and Obi-Wan using Light sabres that were just tossed to them for the battles in the second movie would mean a simulair type of association. Sure there is a training Idea that you cannot be a Jedi till you can make your own, but this would sumerise to me some thing of greater meaning. The Compleation of a Great journey(or Task). My other arguement for this take would be" what ever you own that you are afraid to lose. let go of"

I was not saying any one was wrong, Just giving my opion on this matter. And I think any one who has pratical skill with a sword or katana would definatley have the upper hand in learning the Light Sabre.

If you want a great training tool for sabre practice get waster katana's(wooden katana's) they sell for like 10$ each. We have competitions , with and with out armour. with armour they last like 20 minutes and the goal is to hit with a telling blow(head, heart, leg with some athority) Honesty on the particpants part is key any one can take quite few very hard hits befor physically falling with these so you have to admit when you have taken a telling blow.
With out armour first one to bleed from the head loses in an advanced fight(these fights are ussually real fights and not for the begginer as my broken wrist will attest for). They last alot longer in no armour fights , but you hurt so much more. I always recomend a good long sword duleing club. and learning responsable fighting skills as not to hurt your self or others.

These thoughts are just my opion, that is why I am here to dicuss them and see others opions.

PS I am glad that I stired it up in here a bit, I was member for a few days and did not see any one else on these boards.

[Lord Exar Kun]

very good, lokair. i value all opinions and i did not mean to seem like i was being close-minded. i have a great respect for martial arts (many, many years of training) and i get a little touchy. i also own 6 swords; two katanas, three ninja taos, and one broadsword. i can fight with all, but i am partial to the tao. i own a couple of bokens (the wooden swords) and regulary spend around one hour a day practicing.

PS-i'm glad you stirred the pot a little