Fun for all the order, I mean family
 Oct 17th, 2003
(Oct 31st, 2003)
Advantages:
Better than using invisible ones
Disadvantages:
You can look silly (especially adults),
Recommendable:
Yes
  sirmitchalot
About me:
Hello, I know I haven't been around much for a while, but I am doing my HND and it takes up quite a ...
Member since:08.11.2002
Reviews:66
Members who trust:44
Review rated by 32 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
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Manufacturers-Hasbro (www.hasbro.co.uk)
Colours-green, blue, red, purple (Only at Toysrus)
Price-Varies
£19.99
£7.99
Age: 4 years and over
Batteries: 2 x LR14 not included (£19.99)
2 x AA batteries (£7.99)
Length-Varies
3ft (80cm)
Durability
Now the £19.99 version is said to be quite durable, and can take a few hours of battering, but I am unsure, because if it's plastic, with batteries, it usually gets broken. Recently I saw the larger lightsabre on a market store for only £10, so look around before you make a purchase, you could find a bargain.
The £7.99 is of poorer quality, and can't take as much of a beating though.
First introduced to us in Star Wars Episode IV-A New Hope, when Luke Skywalker linked up with Obi Wan (Ben) Kenobi. It was also the first time we were introduced to the concept of a Jedi.
The lightsabre is more elegant than blaster, and is more for defensive purposes rather than to out-right attack some one.
The lightsabre always plays a big part in the films, especially in the lightsabre duels, the best of which in most recent years was that between Yoda and Count Dooku. It was so funny as he took his little sabre out and was jumping through the air.
Now
there aren't many Star Wars fans who haven't had a mock sabre fight. Even people who don't really like Star Wars have done it. Even in Teachers (Channel 4) at the end of last weeks episode they did. Handles vary according to which Jedi (or Sith) they are based on, e.g around the release of Episode 1, you could get hold of Darth Maul's double bladed sabre, and around Episode 2's release you could get Count Dooku's curved handled sabre.
There are of course cheap imitations, ranging from £1 to £8. One of the best I've seen is in Index priced at £7.99. It is quite similar to the £7.99 offical Hasbro version, but like most cheaper clones, it has no colour. I have to say though, I do prefer the handle to the large Hasbro version.
Colours
Ever wondered why lightsabres come in so many different colours (no, it's not because of the mood they are in).
Why lightsabres are blue- Blue lightsabres are blue, because they only have one Jedi crystal inside. Jedi crystals are what a lightsabre's power comes from, besides the force. Usually trainee/Padawans wield blue lightsabres.
Why lightsabres are green-Green lightsabres have 3 crystals in them, which means the lightsabre beam can be adjusted to thinner, longer, shorter or fatter.
Why lightsabres are red-Now only bad guys/siths are supposed to wield red lightsabres(which you've probably guessed already), as their Jedi crystals are formed with hatred, which is why they are red (I wonder if your really bad, can they go black?)
Why lightsabres are orange/yellow-To be honest I don't really know. Some Jedi Masters wield these blades.
Why lightsabres are purple- Now this was new for Episode 2. Why did Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) have a purple one? Well actually he asked George Lucas. It's a bit 'showy offy' really, as he was the different one. The reason they came up with why it was purple is because it does not use crystals, it uses electro something. Double ended lightsabre- Darth Maul had a double ended sabre, but he was not the first. Double ended sabres go back 1000's of years in the Jedi history, when Jedis and Siths numbered in their thousands.. They are primarily used now in Jedi Training.
Light whip- Many people won't know that Darth Vader has an apprentice, a woman. She did not use a lightsabre, but a light whip. I don't suppose they would make that into a toy, basically because it would be too dangerous, kids whipping each other. To be honest I would have thought that due to the size of them (which is supposed to be the exact same size as a real one, even though it looks twice as big to me), that you wouldn't be able to use them exactly the same as the actors.
I must warn parents though, even though they are plastic, the kids are still going to want to hit each other with them like in the films, and you may end up with someone getting hurt, and maybe end up with them actually wacking each other with them. This is based on personal experience, as my sister is heavy handed when it comes to play fighting.
It would be nice if they had perhaps a sponge alternative, like those you get in anger management sessions, so then they could hit each other with them as hard as the like, and not get hurt., plus it would also save you crying if your child eventually broke it after hours of rough use. One of the things I liked doing with them (in the games) was throwing them, but I guess you shouldn't really do that for reasons above.
If any one saw Casualty on BBC1 the other night you may have seen a child in the hospital with one of the £19.99 ones. He had ADD, and was doing all the things that you should not be doing with one of these, he even swallowed the button.
You may think that adults look stupid with these, but really they are the only safe person to be using them, because most will know their limits. Of course their are also those who are worse than kids. At the moment Hasbro.co.uk only have two different kinds in stock, perhaps because it's a slow period for Star Wars toys between the last and next film.
Other items taking on the form of the lightsabre
Master Replicas- These are limited edition, specially made replicas. They are not really toys, just for ornaments really, and I would treat them as such, as they cost upwards of £350.
I would not buy your child one of these, but it's a suitable present for a 'big kid' really.
Fully authorized and endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. Constructed from durable machined and die-cast metal, each replica is polished and assembled by hand.
If you wish to know more go to StarWars.com, or search in the yahoo search engine.
Star Wars Anakin Light Saber Duel - The Anakin Lightsaber Duel allows children to play as Anakin Skywalker and take part in a lightsaber duel. Not really along the same lines, but
Price-£24.99
Age: 5 years and over
Batteries: 4 x AA
Key rings- I have seen small key ring lightsabres that even light up, but I have no information on how to get them, sorry.
Cheap imitations- Which I've already mentioned. Your own alternatives
Well I can think of a few things people also use as lightsabres;
Rolled up paper
Bottles
Torches-this is one of my favourite things to use as there is a button and it's the right size for a lightsabre handle
Aerosol cans-long ones
Sticks
Broom handle- That's only if you want to be Darth Maul
K'NeX- It was too flimsy and not strong enough to hit anything with.
If you can think of other things you've used, could you leave me a comment and I will add them (as long as their sensible).
Now your probably thinking I'm a dork or nerd or something for writing about this and knowing so much, but there is no point in writing a good opinion without being thorough. Besides it's only my second opinion of toys, so I'm still getting used to how they are supposed to written.
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04.11.2003 21:31
Good op, with plenty of info. sam :)
01.11.2003 15:37
Used-up cling film or foil rolls with a torch inside. MAY TEH FORCE BE WITH YOU! Fab op!
27.10.2003 14:42
I will stick with the invisible ones... they are cheaper and don't hurt :oP