Searching for lightsabers online can be a bit of a minefield, there are so many sellers out there and so many more types of lightsabers; it is easy to be overwhelmed by the possibilities. So we have set up to give you some information that may help you navigate the plethora of lightsaber vendors and types out there with this handy guide. Read on to find out about the different types of sabers available and where best to buy from (and where to avoid purchasing from!).
Where to buy from?
At SCA, we have been lucky enough to test many different brands of lightsabers and have settled on Three trusted sellers of good, robust lightsabers.
Saber Trio – High end products with immaculate manufacturing and customer service. The sabers are strong, well made and boast an industry leading internal chassis system that improves longevity and shock absorption ideal for duelling and prolonged combat. They are incredibly expensive however, with a basic model coming in around £300, plus shipping from their factory in Malaysia. Customer Service, parts and replacements are difficult to engage with due to the international nature of the company. They also have a limited range of custom designed sabers, with zero character sabers.
ES Sabers – UK based sellers of great budget friendly lightsabers, with models starting from £80. They provide a wide range of sabers that can be customised and etched by their in-house team. The range includes iconic character sabers and custom designs to suit a wide range of styles. The internals on offer are robust and well made, with a decent range of in-hilt and pixel options. Excellent customer service support their amazing products. Being in the UK, parts and sabers are cheap to ship and receive as an added bonus.
Padawan Outpost – UK based sellers of ‘LGT’ brand lightsabers made in China. The products are very well made and there is a wide range of styles available, including character themed hilts. Designs are repetitive, with the majority of stock being the same hilt in a variety of different colours. Customer service is good and the repair/replacement system is very easy to use. The blades are often very flexible, so be aware of their build quality.
Be Wary of Buying From – Based on our own research and testing we cannot recommend buying sabers from other vendors due to a variety of issues with electronics, customer service, ethics and the quality of items delivered. It is always best to reviews and to do your own research in this regard, and this is only the opinon of the team at SCA. Avoid Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, Temu/Wish and AliExpress for lightsabers. Remember that this is a product that lives up to the idea of ‘You get what you pay for’.
In-Hilt or Pixel?
In-Hilt – In-Hilt (sometimes called RGB or Standard) lightsabers are the basic type of lightsaber available on the market. Often the most cost effective, these lightsabers are defined by the placement of the light device. The LED that provide the blade illumination and colour is set inside the hilt (handle) of the lightsaber, below the blade and provide basic light effects via flashes or colour changes. These are budget friendly and very robust for training as they can withstand heavy duelling for the most part. The blades are hollow tubes with a rounded tip that thread into the handle, because they contain no technology internally, blades for In-Hilt sabers are relatively cheap to replace which improves their use as a training item.
For reference, all SCA class sabers are In-Hilt sabers.
Pixel – Pixel (sometimes called XenoPixel or NeoPixel) lightsabers are the best user experience for a real lightsaber, or as close as we can achieve safely. Pixel sabers differ from In-Hilt sabers in two major ways. Firstly, the lights are provided by the blade itself, with with addition of led strings inside the blades which light up individually to provide superior effects and patterns. Secondly, Pixel sabers often have a more intricate internal system that allows them to have programmable effects and customisation of colours, sounds and more. They are the most expensive type of lightsaber and are recommended for mid-level duelling.
Pixel blades are expensive to replace as they contain internal lights and technology, making them less ideal for training items but they do excel as show pieces or as part of a costume. Recent upgrades in blade design and materials have allowed Pixel blades to last much longer in duelling conditions, but the price tag remains high because of this.
When considering an In-Hilt or Pixel saber, from our own personal testing we recommend In-Hilt sabers as training items, where you are going to use the saber regularly and in constant combat situations; while pixel sabers are better for costume and performance. Both can withstand training and duelling, but with the price differences between the two, In-Hilt is more budget friendly and easier to replace parts for in our opinion.
Sound & Light Boards/Cores
Sound and Light Boards (sometimes called ‘Cores’) are the control circuits for lightsabers, there are several different brands available that all do very much the same thing, just some are better than others (equally there are price differences due to this).
Crystal Focus X – (CFX) These boards are one of the most popular on the market and provide superior sound design and light effect customisation options through the use of easy-to-learn coding and support via the CFX website and editor system.
Proffie – These boards are extremely popular as they provide a superior light effect system and decent sound customising options. While the coding a little different to CFX, Proffie are user friendly and provide top-tier effect systems. They are often the most expensive lightsaber board option.
Xeno/Eco – Chinese made and designed effects boards that provide decent light effects and moderate sound design. They are limited on customisation but are relatively user friendly. They are also the most economical option, though do suffer when directly compared to Proffie and CFX.
Golden Harvest – (GH) These boards are robust and hard wearing with good light and sound design. They provide a good experience and are a good product for a budget friendly price. They provide a better experience than Xeno/Eco and are priced better than CFX and Proffie.
Boards/Cores have no effect to your ability to use in combat, but as they are mostly linked to Pixel setups, they may not withstand heavy duelling for prolonged periods due to sensitive connections and extra technology.
Blade Length
Blades come in a multitube of sizes and tip types, they are nearly always made of polycarbonate or at least a polycarbonate blend which gives them robust shock absorpsion and they don’t discolour when left in uv light. Blade length is an individual choice and can affect which SCA lightsaber forms will be effective for you.
As a general rule for SCA, a lightsaber and it’s blade should not be taller than the student’s sternum when placed vertically tip down on the floor.
36″ – The long blade provide extra reach and range at the cost of additional weight and flex at full extension. Used by taller students primarily, the 36″ blade may suit students who want additional range while remaining out of reach. This length is not stuitable for children.
32″ – The average blage length the gives good reach and range while being less flexible and easier to control during flourishes and combat due to the more equal balance and weight distribution. Perfect for most of SCA forms due to the balanced nature of the blade length.
28″ – The shoto or kids blade length are perfect for smaller or younger students to accomodate height differences. The blades are far less flexible and stay true in motion, but due to this loss of flex, they can hit harder than intended due to the firm nature of the blade. The blade is balanced closer to the handle, making them ideal for use by taller students in one handed combat.
Custom lengths are permissable and can be easily tailored to the student. Be aware that while it is possible to cut down an empty RGB/In-Hilt blade, it is not possible to customise a Pixel blade after purchase. If you want a custom length blade, it is best to talk to the manufacturer before purchase.
Blade Tips – Tips or end-caps are the solid end pieces on blades. They provide a safe finish to the blade with no sharp points or edges, while also trapping the light inside the blade. SCA ask that all tips be Rounded or Bullet, with no sharp points/tips. The blade tip type has little effect on how the blade is used, it is purely for safety.
Additional Notes
Outside of the above options, lightsabers are all very much the same. The design of the handle and the shape of the lightsaber are entirely up to you and your personal preferences. There are a few small caveats in that however, such as no sharp prongs, points or blades on the emitters or pommels (tops/bottoms). Etching, weathering and other cosmetic options are aesthetic only and do not effect lightsaber use or handling.
Covertec Wheels are a method for attaching the lightsaber to a belt for costume purposes, some sabers to include these options but they are possible to remove via a small screw. They can affect hand placement when using the lightsaber, so be aware of their inclusion in the lightsaber description.
Saber Combat Academy Ltd. 