It’s been more than forty years since Star Wars introduced the world to its iconic weapon: the light saber. The trademark weapon of the Jedi, it is a glowing hot sword that glows with a neon-like light that has captivated millions of fans around the world. Since then, people have not stopped chasing the perfect light saber for personal use – even if it means forking very cold, hard cash.
It’s not hard to get toy lights, but in 2019 Disney will debut as a first-class experience for Star Wars fans visiting Galaxy’s Edge. In this, park goers can make their own saber, part by part. They can choose a lever, the color of the beam, and adjust the weapon according to their taste. They can even now recreate pieces of light held by Star Wars characters piece by piece, giving the experience a bit of authenticity.
From a collector’s point of view, these swords are worth the $ 200 price tag. Many of the other light sores for sale at stores are mass-produced and made with cheaper plastic. Disney has quality components that feel heavy and make the saber look beautiful enough to display in your home. But still, there are still attempts to build fans that are more impressive than Disney can offer.
Nowhere is this more evident than on TikTok, where Star Wars fans show their own versions of the saber. The hashtag ‘#lightsaber’ on TikTok started trending in early March, and although light saber culture is nothing new, there is another increase in interest in 2021. Only on TikTok does the hashtag currently have a massive version of 1, 9 billion. The creations themselves are just as staggering as the number of views.
Former engineer and YouTuber James Hobson, for example, shared an extraordinary video showing what he calls ‘the first real light saber’. According to his video, the saber runs away from compressed liquid propane gas and looks and works in reality like a real light saber would, at least in theory. The realistic light saber in this case can radiate and retract a blade, while also being powerful enough to cut through titanium. Seeing it in action is reminiscent of the way Qui-Gon Jinn cuts through metal doors The Phantom Menace. Of course, this saber must always be plugged in, but it’s impressive nonetheless.
Hobson’s light saber belongs to him – you can not buy it. But if you are a hobbyist with a big eye and save money, there are many light saber options. Accounts that review and display custom sabers often offer side-by-side comparisons to what Disney offers.
Many fan-made hilts use a light from a company called Neopixel. These light circles glow brighter, with a more saturated color, than Disney’s $ 200 lights. They also flicker like the light saber shown in the movies. Disney’s will illuminate in small portions, while the Neopixel light seems to just flow out of hand. Neopixel models respond faster with sounds, while the Disney one lags a bit behind.
These details, of course, have a price. A Neopixel light saber modeled after Kylo Ren’s weapon sells at Padawan Outpost for $ 465.97, more than twice as much as Disney World charges.
Third-party sellers can also go further than Disney does when it comes to personalized sabers. Although Disney fans offer several ways to mix and match parts, you still work from the same predetermined material. Statistically speaking, given the large number of people who make light at Disney World, there’s probably someone walking around with a weapon that matches yours.
Starfall Sabers offers a handmade light saber with a unique uniqueness. The manufacturer takes orders for replicas, but many sabers show their craftsmanship and create a unique regularity like this. Starfall Sabers uses synthetic materials to mimic the tooth of the fictional Krayt dragon from Tatooine, as an example. Small details such as textured leather, distressed etching on the metal parts and a brown tooth, all create a distressed exterior that matches the general dragon theme. You can not get this kind of accurate details at Disney World.
A light saber like this gives you a hefty $ 695 dollars only for a pedestal, not the actual blade of the weapon.
While TikTok abounds with premium light sabers that will break the bank, the good news is that the hashtag is not just dedicated to realistic replicas. You can still get tips on how to make something special and personal if you are willing to do a light saber. Of course, it will not have superior features, but if the best light sabers you have a connection with, there is nothing more intimate than making one by hand.