The lightsaber is without a doubt the most famous fictional weapon ever created, and the first time we saw one ignite on our screens it was in the hands of young Luke Skywalker. Throughout his adventures, Luke has claimed ownership of two “laser swords," his father’s original blue blade, and his own green creation, both equally iconic.
Over the course of this list, we will be looking at some fun facts about both sabers from Luke’s early Padawan days up to his time as a fully-fledged Jedi Master. So pull down your blast shield, stretch out your feelings, and read on!
Luke’s Blue Saber Was Built By Anakin, But His Green One Was Designed by Obi-Wan
Luke’s original lightsaber was created by his father Anakin Skywalker and was gifted to him by Obi-Wan Kenobi after Anakin died… well, from a certain point of view. So naturally, the hilt is visually similar to the other Anakin sabers. Each of Anakin’s designs, from his first which he lost in the battle of Geonosis during Attack of the Clones, the hand me down “Skywalker Saber,” and the red version he carries after his full transformation into Darth Vader, has black vertical ridges on the lower half for added grip.
However, Luke’s green lightsaber is modeled after Obi-Wan Kenobi’s, namely Old Ben’s third weapon. In the 1996 multimedia cross over event Shadows Of The Empire, set between Empire Strike Back and Return Of The Jedi, We learn that Luke found the schematics and to aid him in crafting his new lightsaber in Obi-Wan’s Tatooine hut.
Even though Shadows Of The Empire is no longer counted as official Star Wars canon since Disney’s acquisition of the franchise in 2014, there has yet to be anything added to contradict this origin. Besides, the hilt design looks the same as his mentors albeit slightly simplified, and besides, where else would Luke receive instructions and guidance?
Luke’s Blue Saber Is Responsible For The Most In-Movie Lightsaber Deaths
Keep in mind the vast majority of Jedi battles in The Phantom Menace and Attack Of The Clones were against droids, with a few human casualties spliced here and there, the true massacres didn’t begin until Anakin crafted his final sword for the light side of the force. The Blue Saber made its chronological live-action story debut in Revenge Of The Sith and one of its first major actions was scissoring the head off of Count Dooku. Of course, Anakin continued his fall to the dark side with his trusty weapon in hand, taking out anyone who stood in his way.
In the recent movies, we have seen Rey and Finn slice and dice their way through more than their fair share of Storm Troopers and First Order Officers. Even Vader’s kill count during the slaughter of the rebels towards the end of Rogue One can be counter-argued with Vader’s kill count during the slaughter of the younglings towards the end of Revenge Of The Sith. Not the younglings…
Luke Never Killed With His Blue Saber In The Movies
Despite the fact that the blue saber should maybe have a red hue thanks to the amount of blood it has shed, none of those deaths were at the hands of Luke. Sure, he cut off the Wampa’s arm in the ice cave, but then Wampa then scuttled off, presumably to live a long and happy life jump scaring other poor lost tauntaun riders. The only other action that could be considered a “death” is Luke slaying the apparition of Vader/himself in Yoda’s trippy Dark Side strong Dagobah cave, which was merely a vision of Lukes destiny.
Both Sabers Are Designed For Two Different Fighting Styles
In Star Wars lore, there are many different variants of lightsaber fighting styles, most commonly known as “Forms.” Form V, also know as Shien and Djem So, is an aggressive technique and one that was favored by Anakin, so his sabers were designed for that style of combat.
Obi-Wan used to practice Form IV, also known as Ataru), the same as his master Qui-Gon Jinn. Following Qui-Gon’s death, Kenobi slowly began to switch to Form III, known as Soresu, a more defensive technique that wears the opponent down. This is why Obi-Wan’s third lightsaber design is so different from his previous two, which bare a closer resemblance to his master Qui-Gon’s.
This means that Luke’s lightsabers not only vary in color but also a change in fighting style, representing Luke’s growth as a Jedi Knight. The best example of Luke’s multi-style technique in the movies can be seen during his final confrontation with Vader. Luke starts the battle on the defensive, using methodical strikes and deflections, but once he is enraged by Vader’s taunting he switches to the aggression of Form V, Vader’s own preferred style, overpowering his father and defeating him.
Luke’s Sabers Have Been Used/In Possession Of At Least 12 Characters In The Movies
A lightsaber is supposed to be a Jedi’s personal belonging, an extension of themselves created by the individual who wields it. However, Luke’s two sabers have been passed around more than credits during a game of Sabacc!
Of course, you have the big three owners of the Skywalker saber, those being Anakin, Luke, and Rey. Anakin’s was taken by Obi-Wan who guarded it for 19 years before handing it to Luke. In Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo uses it to cut open the body of a fallen tauntaun in order to keep Luke warm from Hoth’s icy elements.
Then, after Vader slices off Luke’s hand plunging it and the clutched weapon into the void of Bespin, it somehow found its way into the possession of Maz Kanata, which is then found and rejected by Rey, which is then carried by Finn. In The Last Jedi, Kylo Ren takes the blade, believing himself to be the rightful heir, only to have it force snatched off him by a gloating Snoke.
Luke’s Green Saber May Have Been Built Using Parts From Qui-Gon Jinn’s
A Kyber Crystal is the rare force sensitive part of a lightsaber located in the center of its hilt that focuses it’s energy and amplifies its power. As mentioned previously, Shadows Of The Empire is no longer canon, but in that story, Luke has to build his own sympathetic crystal as it is nigh on impossible to source a Kyber Crystal thanks to the Empire’s ruling. So are there any other sources Luke can obtain one from? One fan theory suggests the rare but crucial artifact may have been sourced from Qui Gon Jinns lightsaber. Obi-Wan takes possession of his masters weapon after defeating Darth Maul and brings it back with him to the Jedi Temple.
The Lightsaber is Luke’s Third Most Proficient Weapon In The Movies
Although though Luke was handed his family heirloom by Obi-Wan during the first act of A New Hope, he doesn’t actually use it in battle until Empire Strikes Back. His weapon of choice during Episode IV and V tended to be a blaster. Even after his training with Yoda, Luke stealthily wonders the corridors of Cloud City with his blaster in hand rather than the saber, perhaps not yet confident enough in his abilities to rely on his Jedi weapon. It isn’t until his first confrontation with Vader onwards does the lightsaber become his primary weapon, making the blaster his most used method of defense for almost two-thirds of the original trilogy.
Vader Realized Luke Was His Son By Recognizing His Lightsaber
Fans have often wondered at what point did Vader realize that Luke was his son. Well, thanks to the Marvel comic series Star Wars, and its Skywalker Strikes story arc, we now know the precise moment in canon!
Between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, Luke and Vader have a small scuffle on the moon of Cymoon 1. Vader bests Luke during the battle easily, using the force to pull Luke’s lightsaber from his hand. Before he could deal a killing blow, he recognizes the weapon as the one he once owned… Luke escapes, and Vader hires Boba Fett to help confirm his theory that Luke is, in fact, his offspring.
The Number Two Has More Significance To Luke Than Just The Number Of Light Sabers He Has Owned
You should know that Luke has been in possession of two lightsabers, especially if you’re reading this list! Well, that’s one of many reasons the number two holds a special significance in Luke’s lifetime.
In the movies, Luke claimed ownership of two lightsabers, was taught by two Jedi Masters, has met and confronted his Father Darth Vader twice, owns two droids which he brought back on Tatooine with his late uncle Owen—one of which has the number two in its name… twice—and of course, has stared into two setting suns at three important moment in his life; as a baby when first exiled to Tatooine and handed to Beru and Owen, as a teenager before his adventures begin, and as an adult on the planet Ach-To before he surrenders his physical self to the force.
Luke’s Green Saber Still Exists In Canon
So what became of Luke’s second saber after the flashback scene in The Last Jedi? Does it reside rusted at the bottom of the ocean alongside his X-Wing? According to the movie’s novelization, it still exists, safe and sound. After Luke’s apparent death The Caretakers—those weird fish nuns who also live on the island where Luke was taking residence—found it whilst sorting through the Jedi Master’s belongings.
Many fans suspected that Luke’s second saber would be wielded by Rey in the upcoming Rise Of Skywalker after the destruction of his first during the events of Episode VIII. However, after the first Episode IX trailer, it appears the original energy sword will be making some kind of miraculous comeback. It seems we will never see the green beam spark up again. That is unless a certain Jedi Master managed to find a way to cheat death. After all, no ones ever really gone…