Obi-wan is known for his mastery of the lightsaber and the Force. Throughout his career, he has had 3 different lightsabers.
Obi-Wan’s 3 lightsabers are built on the same fundamentals. They have an energy blade emitted from a kyber crystal contained in the handle. However, each of these swords has its own particularities.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first lightsaber
In the first Star Wars episode, The Phantom Menace, Obi-Wan has a lightsaber similar to that of his mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn. He chose to replicate his master’s handle as a sign of respect during his Padawan training, following the Jedi tradition.
With his first sword, Obi-Wan mastered the Ataru IV form of combat, considered one of the most important forms that emphasizes speed and aggression. This technique emphasizes the repetition of movements to deliver offensive blows.
Unfortunately, this sword has been damaged… During the Naboo Blockade, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn were sent on a mission and encountered unexpected difficulties. Obi-Wan was forced to hide in the water to escape the battle droids. And the water damaged his sword. Later, he will try to find a solution to make his sword waterproof.
Obi-Wan’s last fight with this lightsaber was against Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. During this duel, Qui-Gon Jinn dies under the blows of Maul. His sword then falls into the void. But through the power of the force, Obi-Wan managed to retrieve his master’s lightsaber and eventually defeated Darth Maul and his mythical dual lightsaber.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s second lightsaber
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s second sword is also similar to his master’s to honor his memory. This is a testament to the loyalty Obi-Wan has always shown to his mentor. Some have even speculated that this lightsaber was in fact the one Obi-Wan retrieved from Naboo.
In the Obi-Wan & Anakin comic book, we learn that this lightsaber was first used in combat during the mission to Carnelon IV, three years after the loss of his first lightsaber.
In Star Wars Episode II, Attack of the Clones, Obi-Wan has become a Jedi Knight and has Anakin Skywalker as his apprentice. And that’s when his second lightsaber is introduced.
His second lightsaber is built to be waterproof, as his first lightsaber was damaged by water. This characteristic is highlighted in the fight against Jango Fett on Kamino, where Obi-Wan uses his lightsaber without any problems despite the driving rain and puddles.
Obi-Wan uses a different form of combat, Form III Soresu, which focuses on defense and parrying, to protect others. He uses it in particular to defend Anakin, who is reckless and impulsive. Obi-Wan chose this form to prevent his Padawan from suffering the same fate as Qui-Gon Jinn, who had been killed by Darth Maul.
Unfortunately, Obi-Wan loses this lightsaber when he is captured by Count Dooku, just before the battle of Geonosis.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s third lightsaber
His third and final lightsaber was featured in Star Wars III Revenge of the Sith.
Obi-Wan’s first iconic duel with this weapon was against General Grievous. But his most memorable duel was with his former apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, on Mustafar. The offensive blows were violent and the burning lava added an incredible visual intensity to this intense battle. At that moment, Anakin’s lightsaber was still blue.
Then Obi-Wan used this lightsaber carefully during his years of exile on Tatooine. He sought to avoid any conflict and to blend into the ordinary life of the inhabitants of this desert planet.
However, in his final confrontation with Darth Vader, Obi-Wan had to pull out his sword one last time. Vader eventually proved to be more powerful, defeating Obi-Wan and taking his sword as a war trophy. The fact that Vader kept the sword in his castle in Bast for many years is a testament to how important this victory was to him.
The heritage of the sword
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber has an important heritage, having first belonged to his own Jedi master, Qui-Gon Jinn. In Episode I of the saga, Qui-Gon Jinn’s lightsaber was itself a unique weapon, reflecting its owner’s combative and determined personality.
When Qui-Gon Jinn was killed by Darth Maul during the duel on Naboo, Obi-Wan Kenobi inherited his lightsaber, as well as the responsibility of training Anakin Skywalker. In doing so, Obi-Wan became a guardian of Qui-Gon Jinn’s legacy and continued his work in training the next generation of Jedi.
In addition to its personal significance to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon’s sword also played an important role in the formation of Luke Skywalker.
When Luke Skywalker found Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber, he was able to use it to become a full-fledged Jedi. Luke was able to follow in his mentor’s footsteps and continue the legacy of the Jedi tradition.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber characteristics
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s real lightsaber is atypical and unlike other lightsabers. It is simpler and more elegant, with softer contours and a thinner center section.
The handle: it has a silver handle that consists of several distinct parts, such as:
- an emitter: which projects the light beam,
- a collar: which connects the transmitter to the main section.
It is surrounded by black rubber bands. The latter is equipped with several grooves and offers a firm and secure grip for the wearer.
The guard: it is small and simple, especially if you compare it to Vader’s lightsaber or Kylo Ren’s saber.
Length: It is longer than most other Jedi swords. It is about 1.2 meters long, which gives it extra reach in battle.
Blade: it is thinner than average, which improves speed and accuracy.
Obi-Wan’s Saber Kyber Crystals
In Episode I – The Phantom Menace, it is revealed that its original crystal was extracted from the crystal cave on the planet Ilum. Each crystal has a unique color and energy, which influences the power and properties of the lightsaber.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s saber, like all Jedi lightsabers, is powered by a Kyber crystal. However, what sets it apart from other swords is that it contains two. Why? This is a choice by Obi-Wan to increase the power and stability of his weapon. This decision made Obi-Wan’s sword one of the most formidable and impressive in the saga.
After his sword was taken by Count Dooku in Episode II, Kenobi had to build a new sword. He used the Kyber crystals from his old sword to build a new one, very similar to his previous model.
Obi-Wan’s lightsaber battles
The Phantom Menace
Kenobi’s first major battle was in Episode I – The Phantom Menace, when he faced the Sith Darth Maul. During this intense and acrobatic battle, Kenobi lost his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, but ultimately defeated Maul by cutting him in half with his lightsaber.
The attack of the Clones
In Episode II – Attack of the Clones, Kenobi battles the bounty hunter Jango Fett on the planet Kamino. Although Fett managed to escape Kenobi, the Jedi was able to gather important information. Also, he placed a tracker on Fett’s ship before he left to find and question him.
Revenge of the Sith
Kenobi’s most iconic battle is probably the one he fought against his former apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, in Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. The two Jedi clashed on the planet Mustafar, and the battle ended with Kenobi’s victory, cutting off Skywalker’s limbs and leaving him to burn in the lava.
A New Hope
Finally, after his transformation into Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker fought Kenobi again on the Death Star in Episode IV. The fight ended with Vader winning and cutting Kenobi in half.
Why is his lightsaber blue?
The color of a lightsaber reflects the values and personality traits of its owner. In the case of Obi-Wan Kenobi, blue is associated with peace of mind and self-confidence, two qualities that are important to a Jedi. Obi-Wan has often been confronted with difficult situations throughout his life, and he has often been called upon to make difficult decisions. The color blue reflects his mental strength and resilience. For similar reasons, Cal Kestis’ lightsaber is also blue. Ditto for Aayla Secura.