Choosing the Perfect Lightsaber for Duelling Excitement

For
a die-hard Star Wars fan, nothing quite compares to the excitement of wielding a lightsaber and engaging in the ultimate duel with other fans and lightsaber enthusiasts. However, with several replica lightsaber models on the market today, it can be hard to know which one is right for duelling. To help make things easier for you, here are some important features you need to look for when choosing a duelling lightsaber.

Length

When choosing a lightsaber that is meant for duelling, one of the important features you need to consider is the length of the weapon. The standard length for duelling lightsabers is between 36-40 inches, but there are shorter and longer variations for people who are on the shorter or taller side. Duelling requires you to be able to move around quickly and efficiently, so it is important that you pick a lightsaber length that allows you to comfortably do so.

Hilt Material and Design

The hilt of a lightsaber is one of its most important components. It houses the saber electronics, secures the blade and serves as the handle for the lightsaber. When it comes to hilt considerations for duelling lightsabers, two things are very important- the hilt material quality and the design.

Duelling lightsabers are subject to pretty intense swings and strikes, so their hilts should be made of highly sturdy and durable materials like metal (aluminium alloy).

The design of the hilt is also very important as it determines how comfortable and efficient your grip will be. Go for a saber that has a comfortable grip point (the part right under the emitter between the blade and the switch). Hilt lengths are usually between 28 cm – 31 cm, and the length you choose should depend on your preferred hand technique (two-handed or single-hand techniques). Avoid hilts with raised or pointy features and, instead, opt for designs with ergonomic features such as corrugated or textured handgrips and weight balance systems.

Blade Type and Color

As far as lightsaber duelling goes, the only right choice of blade is a heavy-grade polycarbonate blade that has a diameter of at least 1 inch. Thin-walled or mid-grade blades should be avoided as they tend to easily scratch and shatter when subjected to intense combat.

In addition to blade type, blade colours and lights should also be considered. As you probably already know, lightsaber blades come in different colours, and each colour symbolises something different. Different characters also wielded different colour lightsabers, so it is important to carefully consider the colour and light features of lightsaber before making a choice. If you favour the dark side of the Force and are looking to intimidate your opponent, getting a dark-side lightsaber like the Kylo Ren lightsaber can help you really channel Kylo Ren, who was a strong dark-side user.

Weight

The weight of a lightsaber is another important consideration. Some duelling lightsabers may be well made with all the right features, but if they are too heavy, using them to duel will be difficult. The weight of your duelling lightsaber should fit your experience level and fighting style. Heavy lightsabers usually require a lot of agility and strength that you may not have if you are a beginner. Starting out with a lighter model before gradually upgrading to a heavier one is always better.

Sound Effects

To make lightsaber duelling more exciting and fun, your lightsaber should feature movie-accurate sound effects to accompany its swings and projector motor. Check that the saber has a good-quality soundboard with different authentic sound fonts.

Battery

This is to power the lightsaber. It can be either AA batteries or Li-ion batteries, which are rechargeable. Also, ensure to check the power-saving abilities of the lightsaber before making a purchase.

Comfort

Although most screen-inspired lightsaber designs look very appealing, they rarely ever make for comfortable duelling experiences. This is because fancier lightsaber designs tend to have more protruding and pointy features, which can injure you or get broken off during duelling. A lightsaber design that is simple and clean will make for a better duelling experience.

Conclusion

Finding a lightsaber that is perfect for duelling can be a challenge, especially when you don’t know what to look for. The important features that a duelling lightsaber must possess include; a durable and high-quality metal hilt, a comfortable hilt design, a heavy-grade polycarbonate blade, blade lights, colour and visual effects, sound effects, and a good power source.