Deflecting a Lightsaber

As the power of the lightsaber blade can be too intensive for any material to resist, this does not mean that there are no other material out there besides another lightsaber blade that can resist it. It has been noted that there are some metals and other species of creatures that can actually fend off the lightsaber. Cortosis is one such metal. This metal was once commonly used during the Sith Wars as a form of defense against lightsabers and simultaneously introduced Cortosis Allow swords into the scene. Just a touch of its blade will mean a certain death for anyone that is unlucky enough to have touched it.

A Cortosis Battle Droid

This rare metal are being forged in its raw state and then ionized to give this added effect. The effectiveness of this metal against lightsaber was so great that a certain droid model by the same name, Cortosis Battle Droids, were used by the separatist Army in their attack on the Jedi Temple during the clone wars. Besides its use in weapons and droids against lightsabers, the cortosis metals are also known to have been used in the fabrication of the armor. These cortosis weave of an armor will cause a surge that shorted out the energy blade of the lightsaber when in contact. This does not permanently damage the lightsaber in question as it can be reactivated instantly but it does give the wearer of the armor a split second advantage in reaction time during duel.

Cutting Power of the lightsaber

Mace Windu during the final duel with Darth Sidious

Contrary to popular beliefs, a light saber is actually a massless body. With the exception of air, it does not radiates heat nor expended energy until it came into contact with any material. The vast electromagnetic field produced by the energy arc of the blade causes resistance instead of allowing solid matter to enter and interrupt the arc. The intensity of the energy enables the lightsaber to slice through just about anything with ease. But this also depends greatly on what kind of material it cuts. A blast door for example will take so much longer than a limb. A wound created by the lightsaber is a very neat clean cut one. This is the result of the blade having a high energy arc that simulates heat radiation to the extend that all wounds will be sealed up by this.

Blade Colors

The Jedi masters with the different colors used in Jedi lightsaber construction.

The different colors of the lightsabers are mainly the result of the focusing crystal in it's hilt. Traditionally, the siths' used red blade colors. This is due largely to them using fabricated synth-crystals which was usually designed to give out shades of red. The Jedis on the other hand, used different type of natural crystals. This has given rise to the different blade colors variant. Some of the more commonly used colors were blue (Obi-wan's), green (like Skywalker's), violet (Mace Windu's), orange, yellow, cyan, silver and gold.

Though it was typically avoided by the Jedi's' order to avoid association with the Siths, there were still some ancient Jedi that uses red. One of whom is Sylvar. Other colors known to exist but are extremely rare are bronze, brown and black. Colors of the blades were also once used to symbolized the path the Jedi chose in his duties during the Jedi Civil War era. Although not a mandatory guideline, the colors of the blades used and its owner's Post are as follows:

1. Green: Jedi Consular (Generally they are a class of scholarly diplomats and negotiators.)
2. Blue: Jedi Guardians (As the name suggests, they are the physical defneders within the order for the Galaxy.)
3. Yellow: Jedi Sentinels (The balanced of the first two posts.)

Blade Variants

There are several types of blades being used with different models. Namely they are:


Training lightasabers

Younglings in practice at the Jei Temple

Used by jedi younglings for duel training, it is not lethal but can cause light burn and bruises upon contact. The blades are much shorter in length in comparison to the actual one.

Dual-Phase

Darth Vader with the Dual-Phase Blade.Note the unusually longer blade than Obi-wan's

Its a rare type. This model can extend its blade much longer than the standard ones (up to 3 metres as compared to the standard 1.3 metres). This can be achieved by using a combination of focusing crystals. Adjustments thru a manual adjuster is not neede as the length can be triggered instantly. The blade's width can also be adjusted.


Shoto

Yoda in action with his shoto against Dooku

Also known as Short Lightsaber has a much shorter blade than the standard lightsaber. Commmonly utilized by smaller size users, these types are also known to be used by the normal sized knights to be applied in the Niman (Jar'Kai) combat style. One of whom is Luke Skywalker. He was known to have constructed a Shoto after the Battle of Endor which he used against Dark Lady of the Sith Lumiya. It can also be used as an assault knife.


Underwater Lightsabers

Kit Fisto with his underwater Lightsaber

Designed and constructed to be water proof, these lightsabers are rare models. Constructed with a modification by using two crystals applying a bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse. Other well known users are: Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, Kit Fisto, Jacen Solo, Qu Rahn, Yun

Hilt Variants

The main body of a lightsaber, they are typically bout 20-35 cm in legth with one or two crystals embedded in them. Mostly used with two hands for a better performance, these Hilts come in different shapes and sizes to suits the users.


Types of Hilts


Archaic Lightsaber.

Also known as protosabers, these are ancient design and also the earliest known form of lightsabers. The hand carved hilt were normally made up of solid duranium with one focusing crystal installed. This was a power packed lightsaber with the user strapping the pack either by the belt or back mount it.

Working under the same principal as the modern design, the only limitation it has is the cord that supplies the power to it from the power pack. This can really hinders and limits the moves during combat. Notable user for such model is Odan-Urr.



Electrum hilts.

As the name suggest, these hilts are made from Electrum, a rare metal found on several planets including Abregado-rae. These metals are sometimes used to make jewelry and the use of such mineral demonstrates the senior identity status of the members of the Jedi Council who uses it. Notable users of this fine piece of lethal art is Mace Windu.


Curved-hilt lightsaber.
Made popular by Count Dooku, this form of hilt was also known to be used by other jedis and sith lords. A standard design during the prime of Form II lightsaber combat, these hilts pose a dangerous threat to the attacking opponent. With its curved design, it allows the user to give an edge to its striking angle which can give rise to a great challenge when defending against it.


Tonfa Style/Guard Shoto.

An odd shaped style, the hilt may appear like Earth's equivalent of the Police officers' Night Stick. Its unique design from the rest allows its users to have a wide variety of techniques where a normal hilts users can't execute. These techniques include the blocking, trapping, jabbing and slashing making it highly versatile and dangerous.The only known users of such hilts were Jedi Maris Brood and Sinya, a Black Sun member.

Crystal Variants

Adegan Crystals

Lightsabers variants are predominantly determined by the type of crystals used. Most notably, the crystals will affect the strength and the color. These crytals can be imbued with the force to make it as one with the jedi that uses it.

Most commonly used of all the crystals is the Adegan crystals a.k.a Ilum crystals. Thought there are also other natural crystals in used, Nextor and Damind crystals.





The Kunda Stones

Besides crystals, other natural geologic formation can also be used in place. one such noteable one is the Kunda Stones. A native element to the planet Kadril, these stones also have other practical application such as for medication. Although these stones can be used for the construction of a lightsaber, it will however not be the same as using the genuine crystals as it will produce a broader beam.

Synth-Crystals

Artificial crystals were also known to be used in the construction of the lightsabers. Known as synthetic lightsaber crystals, they are typically red in color and are known to be unstable and short lived. Nicknamed "bloodshine blades", synth-crystals were frequently used by mostly the siths and those from the dark side. Even though they are of a lower grade quality, the synth-crystals lightsabers can sometime overload a regular lightsaber in combat giving the user an advantage over their opponents who uses the natural crystals.

Other Natural Formations

Besides the above mentioned natural formation, there were also other forms that were used in replacement of the natural crystals. These other natural forms that are able to use in a lightsaber construction includes:

1. Some types of pearls
2. Ingots

Star Wars Lightsabers

The unmistakable Lightsaber, a word that has been part of our life now ever since the Star Wars phenomenon. Just ask any movie buff or the ordinary kid across the street if he knows what a lightsaber is, chances are, he will be able not only to tell you what it is but also the owners of such weapons along the line too. With such great influence it has on us, this is what I call the power of The Force! A Star Wars Fan I am, and in this blog, dedicate to Lightsabers I will (Yoda's voice aying those words.). In this blog too, I shall try to explain the different types of lightsabers that are available in the star wars universe, its working mechanics (as according to Star Wars world) and their owners. Now let us begin...


Lightsaber

If we have seen the lightsaber in action in at least one Star Wars movie, we know for sure that this is one weapon not to mess around with. Highly versatile and powerful in the hands of a skilled practitioner, it can slice and dice through just about anything in matter of milliseconds. With its ferocious looking high energy being contained in a glowing rod when activated, a lightsaber can be easily misidentified as a torchlight if not examined properly.

So, how do we differentiate a lightsaber from a night watchman's torchlight? Easy, just lookout for the differences listed below.
Typically a lightsaber will have these features on them:

1. There will be an absence of a bulb in either one of the end.
2. Even though they maybe the same in length (about 30cm), you can find an adjustable knob (or knobs depending on the model) on the case. These knobs are to adjust the level of energy and length of the weapon's blade and are commonly found at the tip.
   
3. There is also the presence of an Activation Matrix (the on/off switch), belt ring and a hand grip on it.
4. A blade arc tip and a stabilizing ring can also be seen on it.
   

As we all may know, the similarities between the two will end once the lightsaber is switched on. Almost instantly, we can see the intimidating blade extending rapidly to its adjusted length. While creating a sound that is of an arc wave energy field when this happens, we can also feel a gyroscopic effect when we hold onto the handle.

With such an effect, one may wonder how does one can really control it with such precision. Unlike the ordinary swords or sabers, the lightsabers are not meant for the normal people or being. Its usage is rendered ineffective if any ordinary being were to use it. It will therefore worth noting that Lightsabers are the unique principal weapons of the Jedi and also used by the Sith and other groups of Force-users. Their exclusivity to the Jedis are for several reasons, summarizing this reason will be as follow:

1. Lightsabers are very difficult to control by those non Force-sensitive users.
   
2. The creation of the weapon itself also requires the use of the Force to such a degree that it is impossible for non-Force-sensitives to integrate the finer pieces.
   

With the reasons stated above, it is however not an exception for the black markets circle. As it does hold a unique sense of ownership, these lightsabers remain prized by some collectors and inevitably, some black market transactions do take place.

The History of Lightsabers

Before we can introduce to each of this formidable weapon, it will be good if we can study its origin. The lightsabers as how we came to know now is not as how we imagined it to be in it's beginning.

Early Design

Star Wars historians have noted that the first Jedi knights have used alloy swords imbued with elements of the Force. This process goes through a ritual called the Jedi Forge. With later developments, the Jedis have managed to fused an advanced off world technology with this forging ritual to form what has been engraved in our mind forever the formation of the lightsaber blade as we see it today. Somehow, laser beam was able to be "frozen" through this new technology, thus resulting later in the designing of the present day lightsaber.


The Power Pack Lightsaber

The Jedi Order studies towards such energy technology was proven a success. This technology has yielded a method in creating a high energy blade by generating a focused beam of energy that arced circumferentially back to its source. A crude prototype was fabricated and used. A flaw in this design was observed. This flaw was the result of the limited technology of that time which can only refrain the power source from a belt mounted power pack. This proves inefficient as the sabers quickly used up the power and easily overheats. Highly unstable, it thus limits the usage to a non-combat role of ceremonial appurtenance to the Jedi apparel, seldom worn, and much less utilized.

Unsatisfied, the Jedi Knights were determined to correct this flaw. Through time, they have managed to tackle the issue. Giving way to a more refined design than it ever was. Highly versatile and more powerful, this new design however still has the power output issue. Even though it has entered into a categorization of a combat fit weapon, a belt worn power packs were still required to provide the energy. This restrain much movement during a face off for the Jedis. Leaving them to limited combat moves and deprived the discovery of the saber throw. This flaw does not prevent it from being classified as a superior weapon in hand-to-hand combat.

Earliest Modern Design

A further development was discovered later through the ages. The belt mounted power packs were later being replaced by a more advanced technology. The introduction of an internal super conductor has allowed the transferring of the the returning looped energy from the negative-charged flux aperture back into an internal power cell. The modification has solved the power supply issue by providing the power cell to expend power only when the energy loop was broken.

Lightsabers As A Relic

These fine weaponry somehow became a prized collection after the Great Jedi Purge, finding their ways into the black market. It is only after the rise of The New Jedi Order that with full past glories, they truly re-entered the scene.

The Construction of the Lightsaber

As advanced it may seems for the lightsabers, they were never mass produced. The complex function of this lethal weapon may excuse one for easily thinking that only a pre-programmed precision machine can assemble it. The light saber's construction requires not only technology but also a close attunenement to the force. A ritual unique to the jedi that has become an integral part of the jedi training.

The selection of crystal

Ilum, an ice planet home to the Adegan crystals was used by the jedis for their Padewans to choose the crystals that makes up one of the core components of the lightsaber. Here, the Padewans will be rquired to choose the finest focusing crystals they can find through the meditation and communion with the force. Afterwhich, they would then complete the assembly of the lightsaber.

The process

Typically it will take around one month to complete the whole assembly. The process is a tedious one that involves the use of both the hands and the Force together with meditation to diffuse the crystal. It will take weeks for the jedi to put together the lightsaber as according to each of their own specifications. These specifications may included:

1. The blade's length
2. Color
3. Blade frequency

The Hilt

The hilt is where the heart of the lightsaber is. With its material being made out of an alloy cylinder, the shapes and dimensions are being determined by the jedi's preference.

In the Hilt, an energy beam that are to extend outward from the base source to a length of about a meter will arced circumferentially back to a negatively charged fissure ringing the emitter. It will be created out of the release of high-powered energy. This is made possible through a series of positively charged focusing lenses and energizers. A superconductor will then complete this loop by feeding the transformed energy back into the internal power cell. By adding up to three focusing crystals of varying attributes and by using the control mechanisms built into the hilt's shaft, the power output and the length of the blade could be adjusted.

The Hilt will bare some of these basic components:

• A handgrip
• An activation stud plate
• A safety switch
• An emitter matrix
• A lens assembly
• A power cell (for the most part, unlimited in power; requires little recharging)
• A power conduit
• A recharge socket (recharges the power cell when the lightsaber is off)
• One to three focusing crystals

These components will be bind by the force in the molecular level. The manipulation at such level has enable the close loop design to operate in a near-perfect efficiency. The padewans would assemble a lightsaber in the likeness of their master's as a show of respect. But despite this practice, no two lightsabers are alike.