Different types of Lightsabers in Star Wars, explained

In the world of Star Wars, there is probably one thing that is the most recognizable: Lightsabers! There are so many different types of them, so many different blades, colors, and so on and so forth. When it comes to Lightsabers, there’s really no limit to them and there’s so many different possibilities to how you will see them throughout the universe. Let’s take a deeper dive into all of them, what they mean, and who they may belong to!

Of all the Lightsabers that you’ve seen, which are your favorite?!

Starting with Hilts and then moving onto Blade Types and Other Variations of Lightsabers, here’s all that we know, according to all of Star Wars canon.

Here are all of the different types of Hilt that we know about thus far:

Standard

This is the most common type of Hilt on a Lightsaber and typically contains enough space for one (or sometimes more) Kyber Crystals (what gives the Lightsaber its color). These single-bladed sabers typically had some sort of belt ring, that way they could be hung from a belt hook. They may also have been attached to some sort of wheel-shaped attachment that fit perfectly into a matching belt clip on the saber owner’s belt when it wasn’t in active use (mode). The first time that we saw this being used in canon was in Episode IV: A New Hope. Some notable people that used this specific type of lightsaber included Luke Skywalker, Obi-wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Qui-gon Jinn.

Electrum

Electrum hilts are known to have a very regal appearance. They were forged from a gold-like electrum, which is what gave them said regal look. In the seemingly final days of the Jedi Order, only senior members of the Jedi Council were known to wield these. Some notable people that used this specific type of lightsaber included Darth Sidious and Mace Windu.

Curve-Hilted

This was a specific type of lightsaber that was used by both the Jedi and the Sith. It had much greater precision than any other hilts that were used on other sabers; this was because of it’s enhanced flexibility when in saber-to-saber types of combat/fights. While it was easier to get more precise moves and actions done, those that made these were definitely in for quite the challenge; they were much more complex and it was much harder to align its crystal(s). In order to get a better angle of attack, as well as a better grip and power with overhand strikes, this specific type of saber hilt must be held more so in the palm of the user’s hand, further away from the fingertips. While some moves are more difficult, many more are definitely enhanced because of the curved design. The first time that these curved hilts came up in canon was during Attack of the Clones when Dooku ends up fighting Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Some notable poeple that used this specific type of lightsaber included Count Dooku, Asajj Ventriss, and Jedi Barriss Offee.

Tonfa-Style

This particular type of hilt was definitely the most unique of them all. For those that were actually trained to use these, they were super easily versatile, but also super dangerous; this was because it allowed for different types of blocking, trapping, jabbing, and stabbing movements. Someone notable who used this specific type of lightsaber came from a game called Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and was initially made famous by someone named Maris Brood, who was also Shaak Ti’s former fallen padawan.

Wrist Hilt

This is another super unique variation to which there is clearly nothing else like it. Instead of being attached to the user’s belt, it’s actually attached to their wrist(s). Since it’s way closer to the hand, it makes it much more easily accessible during impromtu battles and fights that may occur; this also allows for better surprise attacks as well. Due to it’s aggressive nature, it was not typically endorsed by the Jedi Order, but some members of the Dark Side were certainly fans of it. Someone notable that used this specific type of lightsaber included Kinsuj Inktsu.