“Star Wars” lightsabers has a background story just as intruiging as the weapon itself.
For an epic space opera like “Star Wars,” weapons have to be made in accordance to the time that the film was set. Apart from having blasters, space ships and other interesting gadgets, the film had to have an iconic weapon that would be memorable.
The “Star Wars” lightsaber is a weapon specifically used by Jedi Knights. Unlike the other weapons featured in the film, this particular weapon would require a lot of training as it was an elegant weapon that required a lot of skill.
IGN reported that before being recognized as the “Star Wars” lightsaber, it was known as a “force saber.” Later on the predecessors of the Jedi Order used “protosabers” that required an external power supply and cable for it to work.
It was regarded as a symbol as well as only those of the Jedi Order and it was usually custom made for each individual. However, it should be noted that Jedis who turned to the dark side still use their lightsabers and usually emit a red glow.
“The construction of an individual’s lightsaber eventually became a rite of passage for young padawans on their way to full-fledged Knighthood,” as noted by IGN. “For generations, many Jedi built their lightsabers in the Force-infused crystal caves of the planet Ilum.”
There are real “Star Wars” light sabers being sold on Ultrasabers and are priced at a reasonable $60. Though they don’t work like a weapon, which they shouldn’t be able to do anyway, they make for great props or collectors items for “Star Wars” fans.
In other news, theatres are putting a ban on bringing “Star Wars” lightsabers and masks from “The Force Awakens” showings, as reported by Cinemablend.