‘A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,’ the Star Wars franchise began out of George Lucas’ idea of his epic space opera Star Wars in 1977. It has been a defining moment in modern media since then, making it one of the most monumental pop culture phenomena of all time. It has also been one of the most successful media franchises, and many fans, both old and new, continue to delve into the universe of Star Wars.
Since then, Star Wars’ cultural impact has been undeniable, with its existence visible in arts, documentaries, video games, sciences, politics, and religion, and even made new terms in English. As the primary weapon in the movie, lightsabers became popular as merchandise, and variations and collections sprouted up worldwide.
What Are Lightsabers?
The lightsaber is the most instantly recognizable fictional weapon in the Star Wars franchise. These luminescent plasma blades are classified as melee weapons and have since become a defining symbol throughout the saga. Others refer to it as laser swords, which have properties similar to laser cutters.
Best Lightsaber Toy
The origins of the lightsabers in the movie can be traced back to the first 1977 film, with lightsaber battles being a common fight scene occurrence. Since then, fans have tried to replicate these lightsaber battles with toys at comic conventions or in play fights with other Star Wars fan friends.
If you want a really realistic Star Wars battle with your friends, then you can get a lightsaber duelling toy from Galaxysabers.co.uk.
Physical Properties Of Lightsabers
Lightsabers are small, cylindrical-shaped swords typically held in the user’s hand. The hilt is usually made of metallic and contains one or more lightsaber crystals inside the handle. It weighs around a kilogram and has a grip length of 24 to 30 centimeters and a blade length of 145 centimeters.
Types Of Lightsabers
If you’re planning to invest in a lightsaber collection, it’s best to know the different types of lightsabers as seen in the movies. These various types have their distinct looks and attributes, which will look best once they’re categorized.
- Standard Lightsabers
The standard lightsabers are ones used by characters starting with the first movie, in which the colors blue and green are used by the Jedi and red by the Sith. These are the most common lightsabers on the market and the best place to start your collection. Many characters use this type, including Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker.
- Double-Bladed Lightsabers
The first appearance of the double-bladed sword was in the hands of Darth Maul when he used a more extended type of lightsaber with two laser blades coming out on both ends of the hilt, yielding it against a pair of Jedi. These swords are iconic, more complex, and require better techniques or skills to wield in battle.
- Shoto
The shoto is a miniature lightsaber with a shorter hilt and blade. Most people recognized it as Yoda’s green lightsaber. Though smaller, it’s just as powerful, if not better than the larger ones, as it’s lighter and, therefore, easier to brandish. Many users carry shoto in their offhand, making it an excellent offensive and defensive weapon.
- Cross-sabers
Another favorite lightsaber by many fans is the cross-saber, which had seen used by Kylo Ren. It’s an unstable variation of the standard lightsaber since Kylo betrays his teacher before completing his lesson on making lightsabers, thus requiring a cross-type blade to channel the excess power. This lightsaber is more efficient as the side blades can also cut the enemy, making it a formidable weapon in battles.
- Darksaber
There’s only one Darksaber in the Star Wars universe, a lightsaber with a distinct black, curved blade. It’s created by Mandalorian warriors and reacts to its user’s emotional responses. And it can be wielded after the current wielder has defeated its previous owner, making it a one-of-a-kind lightsaber. Of course, you can purchase your darksaber for your collection from a toy store that sells Star Wars merchandise.
Conclusion
Having a collection of lightsabers can be a fun hobby to do while celebrating your love for the Star Wars franchise. If you’re wondering where to start, watching movies and identifying the different types and shades of lightsabers is a great place to start, or you can refer to the list above.
To start your collection, you need to look for standard sabers, double-bladed lightsabers, shoto, cross-sabers, and darksabers. You can fill up your collection with variations and lesser-known lightsabers to your heart’s content, and may the force be with you.