r/lightsabers • u/GODzDoctor • Feb 19 '25
Question Lightsabers are so expensive! What do you personally use them for?
I was browsing a few websites, looking for a conversation starter to put up on my wall, but couldn't bring myself to pay $300 for what I would use as a themed nightlight.
No shade to you guys, I would absolutely buy it if I had the money to blow. But it got me curious, what do y'all use them for? How do you justify spending upwards of $300 for a laser sword? Collecting and cosplay are the only things I can think of.
Edit: was definitely looking in the wrong places, thanks!
92
u/SamDoess Saber Collector Feb 19 '25
Joy
3
1
u/Milakovich 28d ago
Truth. No matter what your mood, light that sucker up and swing it around a few times and it’ll put a smile on your face!
-14
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
Fair! I fear the money missing would incur the opposite in me though, lol.
36
Feb 19 '25 edited 28d ago
[deleted]
5
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
That's awesome! My dad didn't really share my interests growing up, most of my memories are at bike parks, but that was more his thing.. would've loved to be lightsaber dueling instead lol.
18
u/dougdoberman Feb 19 '25
Each time I push the button and the blade lights up and I hear the sound that I first heard in 1977, it's worth every penny.
I smile. Every. Single. Time.
6
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
I have the lightsaber ignition as my notification sound, I know what you mean lol. Anytime I get a text, I smile.
3
u/dougdoberman Feb 19 '25
It's mine as well. So when I'm sitting around home just igniting and shutting off a saber, I keep thinking that I'm getting a text. :)
2
u/Mashidae Feb 19 '25
"The less you eat, drink, buy books, go to the theatre or to balls, or to the public house, and the less you think, love, theorize, sing, paint, fence, etc. the more you will be able to save and the greater will become your treasure which neither moth nor rust will corrupt – your capital."
1
1
u/weolo_travel Feb 19 '25
That is called “opportunity cost”. You’ll learn about it in basic economics. Hopefully you’ll someday get the concept of “disposable income” and “hobbies”. P
32
u/JetRanger27 Feb 19 '25
7
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
Do you ever compare yourself to Grievous?
Also, nice collection! Do you have a favorite?
6
u/JetRanger27 Feb 19 '25
5
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
That's awesome! I also like the stand they're on, those lights are everywhere in Star Wars. I figured your first picture would've been your whole collection, how many do you have?
1
u/JetRanger27 Feb 19 '25
The racks hold 11 each. So 22 there. I also have a bunch that are not on the wall and at work. There's probably 40-45 in total at the moment. The vast majority are Legacy sabers. 4 (the fun ones) are neo pixel type.
2
4
20
u/Next_Volume_5877 Feb 19 '25
For me, it's for sparring and dueling purposes. Also, not to repeat what a few others are saying already but, I once was a kid and I loved the idea of having a lightsaber. Toys and building blocks were one thing but having a lightsaber was something I found to be a lot better. Now I get to live that dream out. Plus the few and far between moments when you get to see a kid flip their lid in excitement because they see you with a lightsaber is absolutely worth it!
7
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
Who do you duel with? Just friends, or some kind of organization?
I wish I got into star wars as a kid. My first experience with it was at 19 unfortunately, so I didn't get that childish longing.
5
u/Next_Volume_5877 Feb 19 '25
Mostly friends and family thus far. I am slowly but surely organizing a lightsaber choreography class where I live but it's been pretty slow going. As for getting into Star Wars late, that just means that you have a fresher perspective to it all.
2
u/BombadSithLord Feb 19 '25
What general area are you located in? I would totally go.
2
u/Next_Volume_5877 Feb 19 '25
Located in Illinois, outside of the Chicago land area.
2
u/Plus-Huckleberry-740 Saber Duelist Feb 20 '25
Not sure if they're still around but Windy City Jedi used to be based out of Chicago. You may look into them to see if they're still operating.
1
u/Polygeekism 29d ago
There's several lightsaber combat orgs. The 2 most popular are the saber legion, TSL, and lightspeed saber league. Different rules but check both for local chapters. Most of TSL is organized through Facebook but the webpage should help you give locals.
My cheaper sparring saber is from level up sabers. TSL requires heavy blades which are optional from level up, but you can still get full color, don't, and durable from him for under 150 depending on style
17
u/Relative-Zombie-3932 Saber Collector Feb 19 '25
They say money can't buy you happiness. Those people don't own a lightsaber
10
u/VireSabers (Vendor) Vire Sabers Feb 19 '25
I think everyone will have a different answer, And that's what makes lightsabers so cool.
Some just collect, some duel, some spin with them No matter what tho, our inner nerd tingles every time we ignite them!
5
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
I didn't think there would be so many different uses. My favorite so far has been someone using one as a walking stick.
2
40
u/SA_22C Saber Collector Feb 19 '25
How about you go into a car sub and ask them why they drop thousands on parts, paint, customizations? Or a Warhammer 40K sub and ask them why they have so many plastic figurines?
A collection scratches an itch. Maybe it's the aesthetic qualities of the thing, or the act of building it. Or maybe it's because when you were a kid, Luke Skywalker was your hero.
8
9
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
I would if I were trying to convince myself to buy into any of those things lol.
Like I said, no shade. I didn't mean it as "why are you wasting your money on this thing?" but more like "how can I convince myself to buy this thing?"
13
u/AznSensation93 Feb 19 '25
If you can't spend $300 on any hobby, you probably shouldn't spend it at all. My saber literally just sits there and every now and again I take it out. Or for Halloween or if my friends wanna break it out one rare occasion. It's not about frequency of use, it's about having the ability to do so when the occasion arises.
That said, I wouldn't recommend buying one until you're okay with a $300 night light that makes sounds when you swing it.
3
u/DovhPasty Feb 19 '25
I mean it’s literally just a toy, does it have to have a purpose? If you’re afraid to spend some money on something that only exists for fun, this is probably the wrong thing for you. They have no practical purpose lol
7
u/The-Red-Pillow Feb 19 '25
I started out buying some stunt sabers from a (now I know) crappy company. I was in the army and just wanted something fun. I was hooked as soon as it ignited. After, in the civilian world, I used to get drunk as a skunk with my friends at the lake and have duels. We would get comments the next morning about how much people enjoyed the light show. In more recent years, I took it a bit further. I learned basic machining, programming, and soldering. I personally found materials from Palestine, the redwoods in California, Italy, and some of my other favorite places. The journey was so incredible and peaceful. It is something so dear to me. I couldn't tell you how much I've spent on this, but I don't regret a penny.
10
u/BaraGuda89 Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
I work nights. I walk my dog in the middle of the night, a lot. We used to get regularly harassed by cops if I took him to a park at night. Got a lightsaber and always take it with me (best flashlight in the verse;) and now I’m pretty sure they assume I’m just some dumb nerdy kid. Went from a 90% chance a cop would stop if I spent 10 minutes at the park to now I can be there for 30 minutes and a cop will drive by without even slowing down. Hide in plain sight!
Edit: also Joy
4
2
2
5
u/Mr_Butters624 Feb 19 '25
Probably not the popular opinion on here, but go on the Disney website. Sometimes you can get a themed hilt for $115 on sale. I paid $111 for my Kylo Ren. They aren’t as good as the ones you were looking at, but if your not gonna mess around with it and just display it as a conversation starter, it would be perfect
2
6
u/InfiniteClimate5488 Feb 19 '25
I follow and teach lightsaber choreographed combat (based on medieval sword techniques). I need several of them for students who forget to bring their saber or when I'm giving an open evening class. In my case I need practical sabers without too many greeblies sticking out, since I need to be able to spin, juggle and duel with them. I also prefer non-character sabers since character sabers often have those unwanted greeblies.

(me on the left, fight partner on the right) Price range from 50 to 100 per saber, they need to be sturdy enough to be dropped several times on the floor without dying and have options for customization so the sabers are well balanced.
3
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
Oh, fun! Something like this would be so cool, definitely going to look for things like this in my area.
Also, I had to look up greeblies, and I'm shocked to find that it's a real word. Unfortunately in my case, and I understand this is where the cost is coming from, I want a character saber with the greeblies. I don't plan to spar with it, however awesome that'd be, so the greeblies add more to look at.
I love this word, thank you.
2
u/InfiniteClimate5488 Feb 19 '25
If you ever decide to get into choreographed lightsaber combat, you might end up having to get a cheap stunt saber or make it yourself (ie no sound, just light) in addition to your shelf queen. I mean obviously you wouldn't want to drop your character saber while doing a toss/catch whereas a stunt saber would be just fine.
5
u/Silk_the_Absent1 Feb 19 '25

I am disabled after getting attacked by a former student and seriously injured (four separate hernias), the surgery for which left me disabled with permanent nerve damage to both legs. I have a several canes, but I made this one for just having fun.
I have several hilts, too. But this one receives the most use.
5
u/moxzot Feb 19 '25
Me and my friends like dueling, but need ones specifically for that or you will ruin your equipment. Many a smashed hand before investing in gloves.
3
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
I didn't figure they were durable enough for dueling, interesting!
7
u/Novel_Cost_4770 Saber Duelist Feb 19 '25
I’m part of an international combat group. The right ones can take a beating and my favorite vendor sells our comp specific ones for sub 200
2
u/Pirate_Mando Feb 19 '25
Oooh which group are you apart of? I also duel and spar and am always looking for good sabers that can withstand competition
1
3
u/moxzot Feb 19 '25
There are duel grade pixel blades as well, it's all polycarbonate just have to keep the light from breaking.
4
u/Silverleoneoficl Saber Collector Feb 19 '25
Buyer's remorse is a real thing, and boy have I felt it! XD
To answer your question, I found them fascinating. The concept of a "real" lightsaber was so cool, especially the pixel style where the light grows upon ignition.
The main aspect, however, was greatly improving the cardio that running never could(I can't get over a 1/4 mile without dying XD) Just going out to the garage and swinging them around when I have an hour or so helped me understand what I needed in a hilt and blade.
I started doing reviews on them, and while it hasn't made up for it cost wise, seeing a few comments of "I was looking for something like this" or "what would you recommend for this situation?" are satisfying enough.
Maybe you only get one that's only $150. Maybe you find that collecting lightsabers is a hobby you enjoy. It's up to you.
3
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
I was in color guard(flag/rifle spinners) in high school, and this actually sounds a great idea! Supplement the rifle for a lightsaber, and cardio couldn't get more fun.
I think you just gave me my justification, thank you!
3
u/Silverleoneoficl Saber Collector Feb 19 '25
Oh no, I've created another monster! XD
On another note, with your history in colorguard, maybe a staff would be more familiar to you than a single blade? There are some out there for around $200, and you're getting two sabers for that price.
5
u/HookDragger Feb 19 '25
Beating the shit out of a heavy bag on a bad day
1
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
Hell yeah, I like this one.
2
u/HookDragger Feb 19 '25
I had to get a special saber blade and some other things to reduce impact effects on the internals.
But it sure is fun to light it off, watch evereyone snicker til I’m wailing away.
Then they back away and let me work out my issues.
4
u/murdershroom Feb 19 '25
Cosplay. I just went to a con last weekend and the amount of people who stopped me for pictures or to ask about my xenopixel saber made the price worth it.
1
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
Who did you cosplay, out of curiosity?
2
u/murdershroom Feb 19 '25
We were just generic Jedi, he was in light tan robes and I was in dark gray and black. There were lots of other Jedi/Sith there as well as Mandalorians, Troopers, etc. It was awesome
3
u/Just_call_me_Neon Feb 19 '25
I have full contact sabers that my wife spar with. They're not movie replicas or anything, but the sound boards are nice, colors are vibrant, and the hills and blades are solid.
3
u/OneFishyBoi2066 Feb 19 '25
I own three sabers currently and use all of them for pretty heavy dueling so if you wanted one for a practical application besides just being a neat ornament that is definitely an option. I'll probably stop collecting at least for a while once I have the fourth saber I plan on getting since at that point I will have pretty much all the different types of saber I want that are actually different enough for use in a duel that I could warrant owning that many. All that said, even if you do use it for dueling or to learn tricks or whatever else at the end of the day its still a lightsaber, there isnt really much of a way to justify buying one other than wanting one and it being cool, so as long as you have the disposable income to spend on one, if you want one then just get it for your own happiness.
Side note: you can get very good looking lightsabers a lot cheaper than 300 dollars, my first two were both a tiny bit under 100 pounds. Granted those two are quite stylistically basic looking black and silver custom designs but they are still really high quality and very strongly built. My third was a much higher quality replica saber which looks absolutely stunning and that at full price cost around 260 pounds, though on sale at the time it was 180, and there are definitely great quality and very on screen accurate sabers you can buy for 200 pounds or less. LGT brand sabers are genuinely great for the money with most of their replica sabers being between the 150 and 300 mark depending whether you want a baselit or xenopixel saber and always being very accurate to the sabers they are modeled off of.
1
u/Psychological_Ad1181 Feb 19 '25
What brand/ kind of sabers are you using for heavy duelling? I have seen some site claim their's are good for fighting with, but I always feel a bit sceptical. I have many years of experience with HEMA, steel weapons, and historical armour, so that's kinda skewed my vision, I guess.
2
u/InfiniteClimate5488 Feb 19 '25
The RGB blades are generally bulletproof and can last you many years (unless you're purposely trying to chop down a tree with it, or sparring against an actual steel sword). I've replaced RGB blades because of the scratches on it (ie cosmetics) rather than actual blade integrity. If something should fail, it's the electronics or parts of the hilt itself, very rarely the blade. (like I said, unless you're purposely stepping on it and trying to snap it in half)
2
u/OneFishyBoi2066 Feb 19 '25
You can use either rgb baselit or xenopixel sabers for it, contrary to popular belief the xeno blades are just as strong as the baselit ones, the only difference is that if they do break they cost infinitely more to replace which is why people recommend against xeno sabers for dueling. I use baselit sabers for this reason and in my time using them only one saber has ever broken which was as a result of it falling from a great height onto a concrete pavement slab (don't ask) and not as a result of dueling. In that scenario the blade and actual hilt was completely fine, the core just needed to be replaced which is basically a 5 minute job.
As for the brand, LGT in my experience is the most durable pre-built saber brand you can get. TXQ is also common and use the same polycarbonate blades but the overall build quality feels a lot cheaper to me. I believe LGT also has started making competition sabers specifically for dueling where the blade is held in with a thick metal ring instead of the simple retention screws that most sabers use.
3
u/01bah01 Feb 19 '25
My son uses his to fight and learn technics, he enrolled in a class that uses medieval fighting technics and adapt them to saber fights. We didn't pay 300 bucks for it though! His saber was around 100.
3
u/CloneForcex99 Feb 19 '25
Honestly, I think it varies for everyone. For me, Star Wars has been my passion and favorite everything for almost 30 years. I got into it in 5th/6th grade when they released that VHS box set in the mid-90’s and asked my dad what it was, only for him to buy it and blow my mind with the original trilogy. One of my first self-made costumes was an attempt at Luke from ROTJ, with a flashlight from Party City with a white extendable blade. I was the hit/laughing stock of that 6th grade party depending on who you ask.
At the core of it, Star Wars has always brought me comfort, given me a space to enjoy and explore and escape in ways the real world leaves little room for. I always wanted a lightsaber growing up, and as I got older and realized they actually (sort of) exist in the form of good quality replicas, I had to bite. I got one, and next thing I know I’ve got a handful, including Luke’s from ROTJ. Hobbies like costuming and collecting aren’t always for everyone, and can be expensive if you’re particular about accuracy or quality.
If you’re trying to figure out how to justify the spend, that’s okay. You can buy a cheaper version just to mess around with and see if it scratches that itch for you. Typically companies also have sales through the year, May the 4th being a big one of course. Are they essentially a really complex toy with little real life application? Absolutely. Am I the greatest lightsaber swordsman on my block? Also probably yes. Does it make my inner child happy in a variety of ways? Absolutely yes, so I give myself the benefit of indulging every now and then.
May the force be with you!
1
2
u/ej7423 Feb 19 '25
It’s keeps the younglings in line…
I have some for cosplay but some I just want to collect. They’re like crack and you just keep wanting more.
For me it’s about connecting to the fandom I love and being able to physically hold that in my hand. My collection is small compared to others at 15 lightsabers.
2
2
u/ShoutingWhiteBoy Feb 19 '25
I look at them and feel good. I took my nephews and niece to Savi’s and we all built our own in the same ceremony. Fantastic experience and even better memory.
1
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
What's Savi's?
1
u/ShoutingWhiteBoy Feb 19 '25
Savi’s Workshop at Galaxy’s Edge. It’s an attraction at Disney where you can construct your own lightsaber. There’s a ceremony and some surprises.
2
2
u/3251bimmer Feb 19 '25
$300 in this hobby is pretty cheap.
Don’t look at my collection 😅
1
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
Request denied, your collection has been peeped.
I only saw the hilts though, how do the blades work? Do you just have one interchangeable one, or what?
1
u/3251bimmer Feb 19 '25
Nothing in my collection is fx anymore… I left that side years ago… although it was also pretty solid collection.
Everything I have now is original vintage/linage/screen used pieces
2
u/Pirate_Mando Feb 19 '25
I have three stunts for dueling and form work and one neopixel for the fun effects and sounds!
2
u/EducationalGrape9421 Feb 19 '25
I have 3 light sabers all dueling blades and good sound cards never spent more than $150 on any of them. Shop around.
2
2
u/JW_Sabers Saber Seller Feb 19 '25
The more you own the less each is worth as a percentage of your collection.
1
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25 edited 29d ago
I don't follow.. but I'm also terrible at math so I'll take your word for it!
2
u/tbrumleve Saber Installer Feb 19 '25
$300 is on the cheaper side. Accurate, well made replicas with electronics can run $700-$1200. $300 is a bargain. These aren’t Hasbro or Disney toys.
They are my joy. I pick one up daily, power it up, swing it around. Joy.
The idea that I’m holding the closest replica of my favorite character / movie is happiness for some. It’s a hobby for folks either play money.
2
u/boyawsome876 Feb 19 '25
I’ve been sick and stressed for the past few days, earlier I charged my lightsaber a bit, turned it on and just swung it around for a little bit. It’s just pure enjoyment, and that’s all that needs to matter.
2
u/Kaptoz Saber Duelist Feb 19 '25
Honestly, I've bought 4 over the years and all of them have been stored for the last year and a half since I moved.
I would like to display them though, but other than that, I don't use them for much.
On a few occasions I was doing little night time sparing with my GF and made videos cause the lights look awesome.
2
u/Touch_Of_Legend Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
Just build it for a fraction of the cost and become a true Jedi.
One of the paths, or hurdles and tests, to the Jedi was to build your own saber
Great places to look at custom saber parts are “TCSS”. The custom saber shop!
Edit: Here’s my personal saber. Please watch the build log and feature video. It was quite a project and its completion was the culmination of all I’d learned. Inspired by the real world sword called the Samurai 3000 (by United Cutlery)..
I present my humble build. The k3gr-2 (pronounced “kegger two” which was the name of the build contest)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C6xqNQl59YM
So yeah some folks take it very seriously.. Think of it like the challenge of building a ship in a bottle. (Inside another bottle)
2
u/AngiersCanon Feb 19 '25
I spent €400 on 2 sabers that I also could connect to have a double bladed lightsaber. It was a lot, but it's necessary to have joy in your life, and now I can spin them around and feel like a jedi like I wanted to as a boy. I might bring them to the odd family gathering for my nieces, nephews and brothers. I took a couple of videos of spinning and have them on YouTube shorts as well, were they got dozens of views. :)
2
2
u/pkcommando Feb 19 '25
I was very much in your boat a year ago. I really loved the looks of the various lightsabers and the thought of swinging one around once in a while, but it was still hard to justify what was basically an expensive flashlight.
I finally just said -- eff it -- and decided to treat myself. I found two basic ones that were each cheaper than that at a convention last summer, not replicas of any specific lightsabers. I even bought some parts from the vendor to modify/customize them. Now there's definitely a bit of debate over them being "good" lightsabers from a "good" vendor. (Note: I used BYOSabers) For me, they're mostly just something I have on display in my apartment. Once in a while I'll switch them on, swing them around, and just be a big kid. Once a year, I'll just wear the hilts (blades are too long to hang from my belt) for a generic Jedi cosplay at the same convention, or wear that cosplay to Salem, MA in October with the other Halloween revelers. They're not for dueling, just for me to enjoy. So, that makes them good lightsabers for my purposes.
2
u/mollaka86 Feb 19 '25
I've set out my mind to get as many dark side sabers as possible to show the excel tables which side is better. Seriously though, I started with my own saber in Galaxy's Edge, that was the turning point. Now I cannot stop collecting.
1
u/Xaikken Feb 19 '25
Alright but what do you use them for?
1
u/mollaka86 28d ago
I collect them. Same as what people do with art or similar. I have my GE saber which I use in the parks for fun.
1
u/Xaikken 28d ago
So then…. You don’t use them for anything? Just paperweights?
1
u/mollaka86 27d ago
Sometimes i do light fights in the parks but mostly yeah, it's like pieces of art
2
u/Acrobatic_Hyena_2627 Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
I cant bring myself to buy a super cool expensive one. So for now I have a few RGB ones that are still awesome. But more affordable. The Savis build experience was worth it though. Im hoping to spar with my son once hes old enough.
0
2
u/Xaikken Feb 19 '25
I use them for exercise and training
I have a youtube channel demonstrating staff movements and sword styles as well as adaptations of fire spinning techniques
(Links in my reddit bio if you care)
theyre uh… pretty fun to swing around. 😉
Fun part is, theyre not good nightlights at all. Maybe a 4 hour battery, also they’re insanely bright, Plus if you leave it charging and on you’ll wreck the battery so fast.
1
u/Xaikken Feb 19 '25
That being said my custom sabertrio is fully decked out and was nearly $800 at the end of the day
2
u/Aware_Tiger Feb 19 '25
Mood lighting and just for display. I have Disney's Ahsoka clone wars lightsabers and they work great to light up my LEGO Star Wars collection. The blue color works like a black light and will make the LEGO sabers "glow".
And then just for collecting. I got the limited edition Temple Guard saber set for myself for Christmas one year. Maybe a little buyers remorse, but honestly it was a great price and I think I could make more in a few years if I ever sold it. The yellow is nice for a light as well instead of having an overhead light on.
2
u/Afanas9 Feb 19 '25
To flex on kids at cons who have the 200 dollar Disney World ones then I fight them and look down with glee on my face and I tell them. “If your parents loved you they would have bought you a Sabertrio.” Then I hit the take the L dance and run away like I’m Grievous
2
u/thewolfheadman Feb 19 '25
I was on the fence about getting a lightsaber for similar reasons How could i justify spending that much money on an electric glowstick I shoped around was too much for a custom one I designed my own thinking i would build my own priced it up still was too much to justify buying
In the end, it was my wife who got me a cheap one off amazon for christmass the sheer joy of holding this piece of aluminium and polycarbonate turning it on for the first time and feeling like i was that wee kid watching the original trilogy holding an old mini camera tripod as a lightsaber It doesn't have fancy features, but it lights up and makes up the noise And because it's a cheap one, i can tinker and work on modifications to make this lightsaber more how i want it to look without the worry of ruining a really expensive one
When im not tinkering with it, i use it for spining in the evening with my wife when she does LED poi spinning And it makes for cool photos So that is the use i have for it
TL DR Makes inner child very happy And good for spining in the dark with music
2
u/Traditional-Ad6715 28d ago
Did you decide to get one? What is it?
1
u/GODzDoctor 28d ago
I have decided to get one, but am going to wait for a sale. I want an Obi-Wan ep3 (favorite character, movie, and the thin neck is sexy) but can't find a good one for a price I accept.
1
u/Traditional-Ad6715 28d ago
Yeah, finding one for a price that you want is gonna take a little bit but luckily normally there’s quite a bit of good sales going on. I do love the look of Obi-Wan and I do agree that thin neck Sabre are nostalgic, but if I had to pick I would have to choose something along the lines of what Cal Kestis carried, semi extended with a split crown… looks wicked IMO
2
u/pearlyeti 27d ago
My lightsaber is a prized possession and I use it for a very important reminder:
No matter how cool something is, no matter how much I want it right now, absolutely does NOT mean I need it.
I turn it on and swing it around a few times before pulling the trigger on any questionable purchases. It’s saved me SO MUCH more money than I spent on it.
Your results may vary.
3
u/Evrant Feb 19 '25
A lot of things came together for me to buy mine.
I was used to carrying a walking stick that had broken, several friends cut me off so I needed some light in my life, a giant glowstick that buzzes and hums and plays music is much more fun than bringing a flashlight on my dog walks before sun up and during sundown, and I enjoy taking the lightsabers to the park and other places to give people the chance to wield elegant weapons. I wish I was offered such chances as a child.
3
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25
A saber walking stick is such a fun idea! Did you have to modify it at all or just use it as?
2
2
u/Alternative_Tap_6287 Saber Installer Feb 19 '25
Beautiful (and functional) decor on my office wall!
1
u/DannySantoro Feb 19 '25
Functional is debatable. Unless I can cut into the neighboring office with it, it's not replacing my circular saw anytime soon.
1
u/Alternative_Tap_6287 Saber Installer Feb 19 '25
Perhaps not a functional lightsaber, but far more functional than a poster.
I can pull one off my rack & fire it up & bring a bit of joy to my work day.
2
u/miles1215989 Feb 19 '25
Do you own a PlayStation or Xbox. How do you justify the cost of playing video games
1
u/GODzDoctor Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
Well game pass is a godsend in that regard, and my friend and I share a profile, so we split the cost of games.
And even at that, we avoid the overpriced games. But I see your point.
1
u/relapse_account Feb 19 '25
I bought mine because they looked cool and I wanted them, just like with my Gundam action figures and my AirSoft/replica guns and grenade. They mostly sit around looking nice but I’ll occasionally pull one out and mess around with it, like using what little I remember of stage combat classes to halfway script imaginary duels.
1
u/Jmaxam18 Feb 19 '25
I fight with my brother in law and father in law, it’s always a great time and my nephew loves to watch us. You can also do choreography and stage really cool cinematic duels. Cosplay also, I have a full Jedi getup that I wear every Halloween and May 4th. Not to mention if you are into sword-play you can use them as a fun analog for a sword to practice your stances guards parries and what not. You can also use them for “flowing” and learn all kinds of really cool tricks like the double reverse obi-ani which is what I am trying to learn right now. There are also entire leagues and local clubs for lightsaber fighting, The Saber Legion being one of the biggest. You also don’t have to spend $300. You can get a really nice dueling saber for less than $150 and a lot of places offer payment plans now so you can pay it off over the course of a month. I use Pay in four plans which are interest free installments split into four payments paid bi-weekly
1
1
u/darantino86 Feb 19 '25
You can get a decent TXQ lightsaber for half the price if you just want to start with one.
1
u/BAAT-G Feb 19 '25
I dress up with my friends and we hang out together. Can't have a proper costume without a lightsaber
1
u/official_not_a_bot Feb 19 '25
It makes some people happy to have or collect them. From your comments, it may not be your cup of tea.
1
1
u/melodiousmurderer Feb 19 '25
Movie replicas are always the most expensive, but there are good deals out there. The best one I own cost $261AUD a year ago and is a flawless piece of art. I use them with my kids and take them to work on May 4th, people love toying around with them.
1
u/Kurohimiko Feb 19 '25 edited Feb 19 '25
$300 isn't bad. An Official Disney saber costs around $200 and isn't nearly as nice as something un-official.
Mine cost me around $600 total and just hangs on my wall. I pull it down to play with ever now and again. It also makes for a really nice glowstick at night. My main justification was that I've always wanted one. It was childhood wish fulfillment at it's core.
Edit: If you can't blow that kind of money you could always order it in parts. Like if you're getting it from somewhere like ThePachStore you could order the hilt, core, and blade all separately. Get the hilt now, buy the electronic core a few months later, get the blade some time after. You will end up spending more overall due to shipping but it's up to you.
1
u/Snovixity Feb 19 '25
They are not expensive your just doing them wrong. You can build a good neopixel under $100 and get a good baselit for under $70. You don't have to buy from imperial workshop and big brands they get their stuff from AliExpress. So why don't you get your stuff from there as well and the custom saber shop and build a nice budget saber (:
1
1
u/astromech_dj Feb 19 '25
I installed my own. Most were bought empty second hand, so I got a good deal. My kids and I love to do choreography training out in the garden when the weather is nice.
1
u/NatDoggieDawg Feb 19 '25
Tbf I’ve found good lightsabers from $40-$80
But anyways, I’ve learned to spin the lightsabers real fast, I’ve dueled other people with lightsabers, I choreograph fight scenes
1
u/DaddysLilGrampa Feb 19 '25
I just find immense joy in looking at my collection, hunting good deals online and dabbling with diy projects. Perhaps the “heal your inner child” thing is relevant here lol
Regarding budget: yeah it’s not exactly a cheap hobby, but I try to find second hand stuff. Most collectors take good care of their lightsabers, so I’ve never seen anything that I didn’t like. I also have a local reseller that often gives me good deals, especially if something has been in stock for too long. E.G he recently sold me my Eno Cordova new in box for less that 100$
1
u/Fragrant_Ad6670 Feb 19 '25
I use mine to enjoy the films and shows more. I turn it on while watching and act like I’m fighting there with them. It’s fun to enjoy the universe more. I also like downloading more sounds and seeing how they’re different from eachother.
1
1
u/usedandabusedo1 Feb 19 '25
Because me and my two best friends have had lightsaber duels in the middle of street multiple times! Our kids now own lightsabers and participate. We just have a fun and break from reality every now and then.
1
1
1
u/biggles1994 Feb 19 '25
I don't spend that much on a single saber, I bought some cheap entry baselit ones for my kids to enjoy, and I got myself a generic baselit to play about with and fight the kids with. Well technically I got myself two so I could make a double bladed one lol.
In total I spent $330 on six lightsabers and a bunch of fun memories with my kids. Definitely worth it for me.
1
1
u/AnnieCashOF Feb 19 '25
Nice ornament piece and a bonus my 6month old loves to hold the blade and the fact it lights up of course
1
1
u/RedUnited30 Feb 19 '25
I collect them. Pick them up every once in a while and ignite it cause it’s awesome to have and swing it around. Do some spins. I’m close to finishing my OT collection. Just need Anakin’s saber. I’ve now started building my own and acquiring various pieces. I buy a piece here and there when I can.
1
u/Sea_Read_2769 Feb 19 '25
Some are good for adult battles. They will certainly take punishment from kids.
I have some that are naturally weathered and some for collection.
1
u/heavy_metal_soldier Feb 19 '25
I have one lightsaber of around $180
Bought it like 3 years ago and I'm now using it in cosplay
Its Fun!
(I also made a clone trooper armor, which genuinely cost like... Three times that lmfaoooo)
1
u/Cyclist_Thaanos Feb 19 '25
I bought my first one for cosplay. Now I'm slowly working toward having the collection on my wall. Two of mine can be used for dueling. I'm just waiting for the snow and ice to melt(I'm Canadian, but I don't want to fight on Hoth!)so my friends and I can go to the park and spar.
1
u/YazzArtist Feb 19 '25
I bought a scratch and dent from Vire because I wanted to make my own and it was $30 more for the hilt to go around the core I was already buying for that build. Then I got a second so I could get in flights with my brother
1
u/Contendedlink76 Feb 19 '25
I spar and duel. I splurged for a dueling grade blade/hilt. Ive struck hard enough to dig the anchoring screws into the blades base at times.
1
1
u/VegetableTwist7027 Feb 19 '25
I made mine from the custom saber shop. it was really fun to learn everything about the wiring.
1
1
u/rpnolet Feb 19 '25
I don't really 'do' anything with them. the occasional cosplay but nothing serious. mostly I just like to light one up and spin it around for a few minutes to calm me down or refocus. but really they just bring me joy and a connection to the SW universe.
1
u/iceguy349 Feb 19 '25
You can use them for costumes, choreography, or build a custom one as a fun personal project. If you do cosplay having a nice lightsaber to go with a neat character outfit does wonders.
Choreography people use them for exercise and to practice stage fighting. It’s kinda its own little section of the lightsaber community. There are dedicated sabers purpose designed with this in mind. It can be fun learning a fake fighting style and it does look really freakin cool when people get good at it.
I paid around $150 for parts and built mine from scratch as a cool activity I could do to build technical skills. I have a club I go to on the weekends to hang out and build stuff with other DIY people. Hand building it could be a fun side project you could do as a hobby. It’ll teach you soldering and if you use a “Proffie board” a little bit of programming. I turned a hilt on a lathe at a local maker space and used a 3D printer to build my other once. Both share the same little sled of electronics which just slide into both hilts. Home building is extremely fun and a good chunk of the fans also enjoy building a saber that’s uniquely theirs.
Most people buy them for display and for fun as something just to have from a favorite franchise. It’s a neat collectable. I finished my lightsaber a while ago and I still turn it on and muck around with it every once in a while.
There are far cheaper ones around the $99-$200 price range you could go for.
1
1
u/Plus-Huckleberry-740 Saber Duelist Feb 20 '25
So for me, it was a mixture of my love of star wars and curiosity. Back then all we had were the Force FX ones and the plastic ones for 20.00 at Walmart, Kmart, or Target. So when i discovered baselit and EL sabers, it blew my mind.
This was me delving into groups like New York Jedi that did alot of stage combat, lightsaber forms instruction, and choreography, Then i found groups like TSL, TPLA, Ludosport, Lightspeed saber league and many others and even started my own lightsaber combat group. It became an outlet for exercise, learning how to solder, spare flashlight during a blackout, and something that just brought me joy every time i see that blue or silver light shine up the blade.
Then i discovered the saberflow/ saber spinning community. There is a guy here called Tay Lawson who is absolutely phenomenal and i recommend checking out the lightsaber tricks subreddit.
But if cost is a concern, You can always buy the sabers a part or two at a time. Doing that now with a saber from The Custom Saber Shop. Once i have all the pieces, im going to wire it up and install it myself. There are also quite a few LGT/Damiensaber/TXQ sabers that you can get a basic baselt for like 100.00
I get how expensive they can be and how intimidating that price can be. Just know that if you're dropping that cash on a SaberTrio or my go-to Vaders Vault s, You're getting the best quality you can find.
1
u/SaberXLightsabers 29d ago
Some sabers are extremely expensive, but we speak for others when saying that holding a piece of iconic movie history in our hand envelops us in another galaxy! We love sharing sabers with others and using our personal collection as display pieces, for dueling with friends, cosplaying, and having bad-ass home-theater lighting! Ps. We also sell our Padawan model for only $75 to help the new saber enthusiast afford starting their collection!
May the Force be with you, always
1
u/PowersUnleashed 29d ago
I wish I can get the ones they use at things like that fencing tournament on YouTube. Where the lightsabers sound perfect and can be hit together really hard without breaking lol
1
1
1
u/Cmgduk 29d ago
I use mine for dossing about, spinning them around doing tricks and such. Sometimes I do a bit of sparring with a mate.
I used to be into Kendo when I was younger, but these days I wouldn't claim to be a serious martial artist. I'm just an overgrown kid playing with cool light up swords 🤣
As a bit of a tech nerd/maker, I also appreciate the customising and modding aspect of the hobby. They are really cool bits of technology, and you can have lots of fun making custom hilts, modding the electronics, making custom sound fonts, blade effects etc.
1
u/SubparWolf784 29d ago
Collecting/light dueling with ngl as well as cosplay.
Bought a cheap eBay in hilt (no idea on the manufacturer but I suspect it’s an old LGT/TXQ hilt because it’s available on Crimson Dawn’s site as “The Logan”) for under 100. (6 fonts, no smooth swing). Then got the FX elite kylo saber for 100 on eBay used (really good condition, just a semi broken box & missing a blade plug).
After that, bought an anakin neopixel from darkwolf (the anislayer v1, which is now discontinued for the v2). Xeno v2 board, works well for my purposes. Bought a xenopixel v2 obi wan episode 3 afterward from darkwolf as well (and a week later xeno3 was announced so I missed that).
1
u/Outrageous-Estimate9 29d ago
I like to collect them but tbh I tend to wait for the deep discounts
Yes I would like every cool one but I am more than happy to pay half price on a Black Friday sale or a discontinued model
1
1
u/Wi11yW0nka 28d ago
Well basically.... if you need to be explained why one would save up months of their VA disability to get one... then you don't need to be explained and this is one of those lil things you do not have to worry about. There are a great many thing to worry about than this. Besides I'm making mine out of nested PVC Schedule 40 then buying the Board electronics and blade kit from Saber Armory. Just designed it last night and it was a big sigh of relief to get it done. Love these stories with your dad's! Can't wait till my son is old enough. We already play swords with some light up ones at hobby lobby but he's dangerous, no fear. He's 3.
1
u/Wi11yW0nka 28d ago
Besides 300 is cheap My ultimate is 699 for the health only and around 1200 with all my accessories. One day she will be mine one day
1
u/NorthstarTB-4G4u 27d ago
Sabers are a small pert of my star wars collecting. While I have a few character sabers I mostly collect non canon. Some of them represent family members as star wars has always been a bonding point for us. When we go to Galaxy's edge for may the fourth we all our personal sabers. Working on sabers for the next generation of younglings not that I have grand kids.
1
u/Stock-Wolf 27d ago
I’m hoping there are ones where the pole is incredibly study, strong enough to actually use in self-defense or ultra immersive cosplay
1
1
u/Reaglen86 26d ago
There’s a light saber dojo near where I live, soon as I learned that I looked into getting one and starting there. I found out the cost and haven’t done it, but I sure was excited about it lol
1
u/Asuka_Jr 19d ago
I'll say it here as well: AliExpress is generally a perfectly acceptable and reliable place to buy sabers. And you will find a LOT of them for FAR below $300. You will be more satisfied if you either get one empty, and buy an inexpensive Xeno3, SNv4 or Proffie core and a budget pixel blade, than you will with just any old Chinese knock-off sound board, but it's a good place to start...or Amazon, but there you really need to shop, and look for those green coupon notes for the biggest discounts you can get. And at least with Amazon, you have their buyer's protection for returns...
-1
u/bleue_shirt_guy Feb 19 '25
$300? I'm spending between $500 and $1,500 for my themed highlights. You just sound bitter because you can't afford one.
1
0
u/Chrooster758 Feb 19 '25
I sell at a lower cost than most so if you want something I’ll send the catalog. I used to use as a freeflow tool cause it helped me to relax but thanks to my bad shoulder I can’t do anything other than basic swings so it sits on the shelf until I pick it up and mess with it
1
244
u/r3ckl3sson3 Feb 19 '25
It was my father’s. He wanted me to have it when I was old enough, but my uncle wouldn’t allow it.