Obi Wan Kenobi and his Lightsaber

Or, Use the Force, Luke

Obi Wan Kenobi and his fourth lightsaber

Obi Wan Kenobi's Lightsaber
This Lightsaber was the fourth and final lightsaber used by Obi Wan Kenobi. It was the culmination of years of tinkering and modification; the sum of all that Kenobi had learned throughout his years as a Jedi, Jedi Knight, general, swordsman and negotiator. It was built after the destruction of Obi Wan's Third (and favorite lightsaber), the one lost during the Jedi's battle against Darth Maul on Naboo.

This was the saber that dismembered his padawan, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. This was also the saber that Kenobi possessed much later, when Anakin's son, Luke, consulted the old Jedi Knight on Tatooine (albeit, a much older and worn lightsaber that lacked most of its luster and gold coloring). Lastly, it was the lightsaber that Kenobi held in his hands during that legendary last battle with Darth Vader, when Kenobi's former padawan retired his master.

Lightsabers
Lightsabers are probably the oldest of the known sword types. Yes, that's right, oldest. They were, after all, created a long time ago, in a gala... ahem. Well, you get the point (please excuse that last sentence and what was, perhaps, the worst pun ever jotted down onto this website).

As far as the history goes, if you don't know, then I fear it's hopeless. Go rent some movies.

Oh alright, I'll try. Lightsabers are the chosen weapon of the Jedi, a powerful order of knights in the six Star Wars movies created by George Lucas.

The lightsaber consisted of a sturdy hilt with no crossguards and a short beam of laser energy that could cut through almost anything it struck. The beams were created using a focused blast of powerful energy. This energy was focused by a crystal embedded in the hilt of the weapon. The color of this crystal determined the color of the lightsaber's beam (and, occasionally, the sexual orientation of the weilder. Most notably, the pink lightsaber of Russell the Gentle, the slightly gay yet powerful Jedi of Gantoris. Russell the Gentle, in addition to his pink lightsaber, was known for designing most of the outfits for the Jedi and convincing Yoda that "a nice taupe color scheme would be delicious in the council chambers. Oh, and more plants, Yoda baby, more plants.")

The colors of the lightsaber said much about a jedi. Each color had its own symbolism. Anakin Skywalker started his career with a blue lightsaber. When he turned to the Dark Side, he switched to the red blade that only Siths use.

Jedis are supposed to build their own lightsabers when they come of age, and use this lightsaber for the rest of their days, or until someone cut their hand off and the lightsaber was lost, which seemed inevitable for most Jedis at one time or another.

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