While the release of the highly anticipated series Obi-Wan Kenobi will be done next month on Disney+, fans can’t wait to see it again Ewan McGregor return to his role as Jedi Master and handle his lightsaber, whether it’s facing the Sith Inquisitors, or facing Hayden Christensen, signing his big return as Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker. So it’s the perfect time to take a look at Obi-Wan’s weapon history, with Obi-Wan describing lightsabers as “the noble weapon of a bygone era.”
1) Ewan McGregor chose his first lightsaber
During the period before the shooting of the film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), the prop team had made several styles of lightsaber hilts so McGregor can examine them. The actor will then end up finding the definitive look of Obi-Wan’s very first lightsaber, which will remain an iconic piece of Star Wars history.
2) Obi-Wan had multiple lightsabers
The Jedi roam the galaxy, battling all manner of enemies, ranging from monsters to bounty hunters, not to mention the Sith. The adversaries and obstacles are many, not to mention the risk. Therefore, their equipment too is subject to severe tests. This is the reason Obi-Wan’s lightsaber went through three iterations. The Jedi notably received a new one in the film Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002). And technically he wielded even moreeven using a red lightsaber from the Sith Asajj Ventress in The Clone Warsin order to fight Maul and Savage Opress.
3) His first lightsaber was inspired by Qui-Gon Jinn’s lightsaber
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first sword was inspired by none other than his own mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn.. His Jedi Master certainly had a saber with a different blade from that of his padawan, his being green and not blue. However, the handle of Obi-Wan’s was directly modeled after Qui-Gon’s. The latter was of a relatively simple design, consisting of a ringed structure painted black, a plain silver frame, and featuring a characteristic red ignition button near the upper middle. If Obi-Wan’s one had a lot of resemblance, the main difference was at the base of the handlewhich had a rounded end with a silver border, unlike the plain base of Qui-Gon’s.
4) How was Obi-Wan’s lightsaber powered?
Lightsabers aren’t as mysteriously powered as you might think. Most of the structure inside the hilt serves primarily as a conductor for the blade. Obi-Wan’s saber, a simple single blade, is therefore no different from most lightsabers in this regard. The saber itself was powered by a diatium energy cell, which was the main power source for the blade. If the kyber crystal itself is essential, it needs a power source to be able to power it. These energy cells, of which there are different types, thus increase the amount of energy emitted by the lightsaber.
5) Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first lightsaber was lost on Naboo
Obi-Wan’s first lightsaber had already seen quite a few adventures, accompanying the Jedi on Tatooine and Coruscant, and battling numerous droids on Naboo. And precisely, this saber disappeared when Kenobi faced Darth Maul in one of the most emblematic duels of the Jedi.. This fight will mark the end of his mentor Qui-Gon Jinn, leaving the Jedi alone against this enemy. Having watched helplessly as his mentor was assassinated, Obi-Wan would face the Sith in rage, and eventually defeat him, losing his weapon in the battle.
6) His second lightsaber was almost identical to his first
Obi-Wan soon obtained a new weapon following his duel on Naboo. Fans got to see this saber for the first time in the movie Attack of the Clones. Once again, this saber was far removed from the distinct design of the model found in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977). This second saber was an almost perfect replica of his previous saber.
7) His second lightsaber was stolen from him on Geonosis
After he confronted Jango Fett on Kamino with this lightsaber, Obi-Wan will lose his second sword shortly after, when he is captured by Count Dooku on the planet Geonosis.. Since lightsabers aren’t the kind of thing you throw away so easily, the Jedi Master’s ancient weapon must have probably been left behind somewhere on the planet of the Geonosians.
8) Obi-Wan Kenobi had a temporary fourth lightsaber
Although he soon lost his saber to the Geonosians, Obi-Wan was not unarmed in the first battle of the Clone Wars. When Republic forces, along with several Jedi, arrived to aid Padmé, Anakin, and Obi-Wan, the latter two received replacement sabers to be able to fight battle. This was only used temporarily by Obi-Wan before Count Dooku, aka Darth Tyrannus, proves he was a worthy adversary and incapacitates Obi-Wan. The saber was then briefly used by Anakin, but he will also lose it, along with his arm.
9) Obi-Wan’s last lightsaber was the most important
When the Clone Wars began, Obi-Wan eventually built the iconic lightsaber as seen in A new hope. This handle was much thinner, with no rounded end and a thinner center section. This allowed him to be much lighter and more manageable for combat. This lightsaber took part in some of the most important moments in Obi-Wan’s life. He notably used this lightsaber to defeat his padawan Anakin Skywalker during their duel on Mustafar, and continued to wield it during the many years that followed on Tatooine, when he watched the young Luke Skywalker.
10) The blade attachment is visible in some versions of A new hope
Since the 1977 film was the first film in the franchise, the special effects could have had a few flaws, and there are some versions with scenes where you can see the accessory serving as a lightsaber that Alec Guiness wields when fighting Darth Vader. However, the current version available on Disney+ has corrected this error.
11) Luke built his lightsaber after Obi-Wan’s
Although this lightsaber fell with whoever wielded it, its legacy continued far beyond. Luke Skywalker built his second lightsaber to look a lot like his old master’s. The reason for most of their similarities is obviously as a tribute, but also a matter of availability. During construction, Luke crafted his lightsaber from parts found in Obi-Wan’s cabin on Tatooine, as seen in one of the franchise’s most famous cut scenes in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983).
And to continue in the same theme, discover this lightsaber even rarer than the Dark Saberjust here.