The Lightsaber
The traditional weapon of the Jedi is the lightsaber which, in the
hands of a skilled wielder, could be more than a match for most
opponents, even those that are armed with ranged weapons. A skilled
lightsaber practitioner can deflect shots from blasters and even target
the attacker. In addition they offer moderate protection from lightning.
A typical lightsaber consists of a 30 cm-long metallic rod base that
emits a blade-shaped field of energy. To be able to use a lightsaber is
an example of incredible skill and confidence, dexterity and attunement
to The Force. Lightsaber colors include green, blue, yellow, orange,
red, silver, and purple. But by the rise of the Galactic Empire, most
lightsaber crystal caves that gave the colors other than blue and green
were destroyed. A common task for the Jedi is to construct their own
lightsaber, after collecting
 special crystals which form the core of the lightsaber. The construction of a lightsaber is considered a milestone
on the path to Jedi Knighthood, and takes on a heavily symbolic meaning.
While many lightsabers appear similar at first glance, closer inspection
reveals many differences. Because each Jedi personally constructs his or
her own weapon, no two lightsabers are the same. However, some Padawan
learners build their lightsabers to resemble those of their Masters as a
sign of respect.
The lightsaber beam is made of pure energy which can cut through
almost anything, except the beam of another lightsaber or some rare
materials, the most notable of which is Cortosis, a force-resistant ore
found deep within asteroid belts along the Outer Rim. Cortosis, once
refined, could be bonded with other metals when both were melted,
creating an alloy that couldn't be cut by a lightsaber. Cortosis was
readily available during the era of the Old Republic, as evidenced in
the multitude of weapons and armor that have been imbued by a Cortosis
weave. The secret to refining Cortosis, however, was lost during the
Great Jedi Purge. It should be noted that a lightsaber does not depend
on the Force to function.
The lightsaber is not just a single-bladed weapon, and not only
wielded by Jedi. Some Jedi have used two single-bladed lightsabers, and
some use double-bladed lightsabers as well. Though not as well known as
the other forms of lightsabers there is also a light whip that is a
combination of lightsaber and a cat-of-nine tails. Considered
extremely difficult to construct, lightsabers with multi-length blades
are known to have been created by a student in the Jedi Academy.
One important note about lightsaber wounds is that they rarely bleed
profusely, even when a limb has been severed. The energy blade
cauterizes the wound as it passes, and thus even a severe wound does not
tend to bleed heavily. An exception to this was when Obi-Wan Kenobi cut
off the arm of an alien in a cantina, and the arm was shown with blood
on the ground; though the nature of the alien species' biological
processes is not known and could provide for the discrepancy in the
incident.
Younglings' training lightsabers cause much less damage on contact in
case they make a mistake. While the blade won't cut through things
nearly as easily as a typical lightsaber would, the injuries it inflicts
can still be fatal.
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