Lightsaber (Open discussion)

[projectsunfire]

I was thinking about Lightsaber construction this evening and I started to chew on the different designs and their strengths toward the use of certain styles.

So here it is. What do all the parts do? What advantage does it bring the wielder? Does it improve the use of certain lightsaber forms? Is it just for looks?

Your Thoughts...

[Fellheart]

Well, during a fight, if their hands get all sweat. The chance their opponent will knock the saber out of their hand is bigger if they have just a steel cylinder, than it would have been if they hade some rubber around it methinks.....or, that is if you understood any of that?

[Halmtier]

Yeah, you mean some sort of grip? I must agree- as someone who does sword fighting, a grip can make a huge difference not only for sweating, but also for getting greater angles in your moves. You're more likely to bend and twist your wrist in odd arcs if you don't feel like your weapon is about to fall out of your hand.

Longer handles are also better for styles that involve greater sweeping motions and more powerfull strikes. They hamper speed however, unless the handle starts getting into the 1.5-2 foot range.

[raven1haven]

ok like halmtier's whatever ok samurai have handels and they are short...well i don't know how to explain this but they usually drop them!...I KNOW!

[Halmtier]

No offense raven1haven, but it's almost impossible to tell what you're trying to say here.
I am assuming that 'samuria have handels'(sic) means the style of katana/wakazashi combo used by samurai's, but what are you talking about when you say 'they usually drop them'?

if you are implying that in combat with these weapons that they miss handle the weapons, and as such drop them frequently, I can attest to this being completely incorrect! Please, explain yourself a bit more as I'm confused.

[Kaz Klar]

obviously synthetic cyrstals could short out real cyrstals. My hilts always have wookiee hide attacked to the hilt. It keeps my hands from slipping and all. Curves in the hilt add power but if not msterd can ofbalance a saber

[croaky]

I always envisioned mine as quite long. I diddn't think about grips but Qui-gon's lightsaber looks like it has a grip.

[Iota]

there are variants in lightsaber hilt styles. obviously the design is down to that particuar force user. but they come indifferent lenghts and shapes etc. a normal bog standard lightsaber is good for using what ever saber style you like. But there are designs for lightsabers that sway to a more specific style of lightsaber combat. i.e. count dooku, darth vader and obi-won.

[shawn]

Okay so if you want saber designs go to data I posted a construction sketch for a basic saber. All sabers come with some sort of grip to the handle cause that factor was already thought out. Also it is true some sabers are better for different forms but it depends on the user the most.

I mean for instance Obi-Wan like stated before used a simplistic saber along Vader. The design was basic and used more for such styles like Atura where short, one hand made for faster motions though any saber design could do. The basic formation could be used with any saber its just some people preferred the use of one design over another believing it had some sort of advantage. For some this advantage came true but for others different designs were gone through developing their own advantage with a certain design like Obi-Wan with a single handed for the use of Atura.

Now I might not like getting into these descriptions but if you just imagine yourself fighting the saber is dependent on your movements...not the form, the strength, etc but how you wish to gain your advantage in battle. What you think will be your greatest strength over your foe. That's my piece unless I must state something more clearly.

swrponline2.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=databank&action=display&thread=2177 This is the link for lightsaber construction under data base if you so wish to view the simple design for the inside of the saber.

[SaintJude]

It would be a sound assumption that a force wielder would design and construct his lightsaber depending on his intentions. This is, of course, obvious, but bear with me here:

Obi-Wan's and Qui-Gon Jin's lightsaber in the Phantom Menace were very ornate and suggested that they were never intended to be used aside from deflecting blaster fire because, at this point, the Sith had been in hiding long enough to be thought extinct. Of course, the Jedi practiced all of the dueling forms, but more as an exercise to maintain focus, or simply honor tradition. Then take Maul's lightsaber, which was designed to kill and nothing else; the smooth handle allowed for easy placement and readjustment of the hands, the two extra buttons that locked to keep the blades from turning off when he was spinning the blade. As simple as the lightsaber looked, it was very utilitarian.

Two other good examples are with Palpatine and Dooku. Dooku's curved hilt was designed to fit well in the palm of his hand, making it more comfortable when he was using the Makashi form that he loved so very much. Palpatine, on the other hand, kept his lightsaber short for one (or) of two reasons: One, he used it as a last resort, favoring Force abilities and subterfuge to get rid of his enemies. Second, Palpatine kept his Force sensitivity a secret, yet wanted his weapon on him at all times just in case, so he constructed it as small as he could get away with, leaving room for only one hand.