10 Most Unique Lightsaber Hilt Designs in Jedi & Sith History

It’s “an elegant weapon for a more civilized time," Obi-Wan Kenobi remarks on Luke Skywalker's blue lightsaber, the first saber to appear in the Star Wars film. 

Since then, the franchise has introduced nearly 17 different types of lightsabers, each featuring unique hilt designs, blade colors, and outstanding characteristics. 

From the beginning, Jedi and Sith symbols have been shown in green, blue, and red, each with different designs, such as standard, double blades, and curved hilts. These sabers have continually impressed us with their innovation and craftsmanship. 

On the other hand, the Darksaber and cross guards are some extraordinary types that have profoundly highlighted their distinctiveness and significance while showcasing undeniable beauty. 

But which among these truly stands out regarding the best lightsaber hilt designs and unmatched functionality?

Let’s find the answer!

1. Darksaber 

Type: Single Blade Hit Shape: Straight, rectangular with guard.

Among all the lightsabers in the Star Wars canon, few have played as significant a role as the Darksaber. Created by Tarre Vizsla and wielded by notable characters, including Pre Vizsla, Darth Maul, Sabine Wren, Bo-Katan Kryze, Moff Gideon, and Din Djarin, the Darksaber first appeared in ‘The Clone Wars.’

The Darksaber is unique due to its rectangular design. It features a black-energy blade with a crackling white edge resembling a traditional sword. This ancient blade serves as a powerful symbol of leadership among the Mandalorians.

The Darksaber has been passed down through generations with the tradition that its wielder would rule Mandalore. However, by the end of ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 3, this legendary blade is ultimately destroyed, marking a significant turning point in the series.

2. Count Dooku’s Curved-Hilt Lightsaber

Type: Single Bladed Hit Shape: Cylindrical, Curved

Dooku stands out among warriors who wield curved-hilt blades, showcasing exceptional finesse with his elegantly crafted lightsaber design. His mastery of the curved blade is witnessed in Star Wars: Episode II—Attack of the Clones, where he quickly captured fans' attention.

The curved hilt design allowed Dooku to slash and lunge at the opponent with enhanced precision. There were other curved-hilt saber wielders, such as Asajj Ventress, Darth Vader, and Barriss Offee, but Count Dooku's weapon exudes eloquence through its refined design.

3. Grand Inquisitor’s Spinning Lightsaber

Type: Double-bladed spinning (disc mode) & Single-bladed (crescent mode) Hit Shape: Cylindrical, Straight

The most eccentric Grand Inquisitor lightsaber debuted in Star Wars Rebels and then in live-action shows such as Ahsoka and  Obi-wan Kenobi. 

Consisting of a ringed emitter and a detachable hilt, this saber appears similar to Darth Maul’s but with a surprising twist. It’s a spinning lightsaber forged for immense destruction, and the central handle of the hilt allowed both the blades to spin around very quickly like a helicopter. 

Another intriguing fact about this deadly blade that has captivated fans and set it apart is its modes. This feature allowed the blade to switch between single and double-blade using modes: crescent and disc. In crescent mode, it has a single red blade, whereas in disc mode, a second blade appears with a spinning feature that turns it into a super-fast killing tool. 

4. Ezra Bridger’s Lightsaber-Blaster 

Type: Single-blade Hit Shape: Double-bar design

In Star Wars Rebels, Ezra Bridger forged a bespoke saber unparalleled in its hilt design and functionality. His remarkable lightsaber-blaster hybrid is constructed using the spare parts fellow Ghost crew members offered. 

The lightweight and swift saber blade matched Bridger’s agility, which enabled him to engage effectively in combat and firefights. When Darth Vader destroyed it during the mission to Malachor, Ezra replaced his weapon with a standard, single-bladed green lightsaber. 

5. Darth Maul’s Double-Bladed Lightsaber

Type: Double-blade Hit Shape: Cylindrical, Straight

What makes Darth Maul's double-blade stand out is its extra-long hilt, which incorporates multiple kyber crystals, and the fact that he is the first to wield this type of saber in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. 

Maul's demonstration of the blade’s potential by handling multiple opponents simultaneously propels the weapon into the mainstream spotlight. Despite its careful detailing and intimidating appearance with a red hue, the lightsaber displays a significant drawback in Star Wars Rebels Season 3, when Obi-Wan Kenobi slices it in half.

6. Ahsoka Tano’s White Lightsaber

Type: 1 single-blade and 1 shoto  Hit Shape: Curved, Rectangular

Ahsoka's white lightsaber is widely regarded as one of the premier hilt designs in Star Wars, and for good reason. There’s no wielder in the Star Wars galaxy with a blade slightly similar to Ahsoka’s, making it the most unusual saber. 

Prominently featured in the live-action Ahsoka series, she crafts one of the most impressive sabers with a curved hilt. The weapon was presented this way to show Ahsoka’s affinity for the Jedi. 

She wields her unique weapon off-hand, which reflects her fierce combatant nature. The standard single and shoto lightsaber featured a sleek silver hilt with a white hue. 

7. Kylo Ren’s Crossguard Lightsaber

Type: Crossguard (Three blades: a primary blade and two vents just below it)  Hit Shape: Curved, Straight

Kylo Ren’s crossguard lightsaber first appeared in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. The saber's hilt differs from the traditional design, offering a unique and unmatchable configuration.

They were comparable in size to standard single-blades but distinguished by two small vents positioned opposite each other on the hilt, known as quillons. The crossguard is due to a damaged kyber crystal venting excess energy, making it one of the coolest lightsaber hilt designs.

A variant of crossguard has been witnessed in Stellan Gios’s hands in the High Republic Era. During this Era, this blade gained immense popularity when the Jedi were at their peak power. 

8. Gungi’s Wooden Lightsaber

Type: Single-blade  Hit Shape: Cylindrical, Straight

Although it’s a simple single-bladed lightsaber, the material used to construct this saber makes a big difference. Wookiee Jedi Padawan Gungi constructs this blade out of wood from a Brylark tree, which emits a green hue. 

9. Mace Windu Purple Lightsaber

Type: Single-blade  Hit Shape: Cylindrical, Straight

The lightsaber concept took a bold turn when actor Samuel L. Jackson opted for a purple blade, moving away from the traditional blue and green colors typically associated with Jedi. This unconventional choice made Mace Windu's saber distinctly admired among fans for its unique color and hilt design.

In an interview, Samuel L. Jackson revealed that he had the Star Wars prop team engrave Mace Windu’s lightsaber handle with the initials "BMF," a playful nod to the "Bad Motherf**ker" wallet he used in one of his movies.

Alongside its specially crafted handgrip and the striking blade color that served as a warning to adversaries, the weapon’s electrum finish symbolized Windu’s prestigious status as a senior member of the Jedi Order.

10. Dark Rey's Switchblade 

Type: Hinged double-blade Hit Shape: Collapsible hilts

Dark Rey’s switchblade appeared in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Rise of Skywalker. Jedi General Pong Krell is the first to wield a hinged double-blade in The Clone Wars, and Dark Rey’s Switchblade is the improved version of the intimidating design.

The blade's dual function as both a staff and a dual blade enables effective long-range attacks and robust short-range defense.

If you're inspired to own one of these iconic sabers, ARTSABERS offers a collection that promises to satisfy your passion for these legendary weapons. Take your collection to a new height with a genuinely distinctive lightsaber that captures the essence of this beloved saga. Go ahead and check out ARTSABERS's latest collection now!

May the Force be with you!