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Discussion: Most Realistic Replica Lightsaber - Recommendations?

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I am looking for an Anakin (III)/Luke Skywalker (IV, V) replica lightsaber to eventually be placed in a nice glass case used as a decoration/conversation piece among my other Star Wars memorabilia. I know there have been many different manufacturers of some nice realistic ones.  For people who have them, which would you recommend: ICONS, MASTER REPLICAS, or HASBRO?

Thanks!!

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I'm sorry but I don't know much about Hasbro's. Of the other two, I would say Master Replicas, Luke Skywalker Episode V.

Icons' is a mix of the ANH and ESB props, while MR's is a version of Luke's lightsaber that we see in the Wampa's cave in ESB.

There are some good pictures of them in Rebel Scum's photo archive:

http://www.rebelscum.com/iconslukesaber.asp

http://www.rebelscum.com/mrlukeesbsaber.asp

Master Replicas also made a FX version of Luke's lightsaber:

http://www.rebelscum.com/mrlukeesbfxsaber.asp

Master Replicas'  replicas of the Anakin's lightsaber in ROTS are good replicas of those props used in that film... but those were in turn a bit different in detail from the props used in the filming of ANH and ESB.

Don't confuse any of these sabers with Anakin's from AOTC, which is completely different.

Disclaimer, though: I don't own any of these replicas, but I have seen and held them in person. My own lightsaber replica consists of a vintage Graflex flash gun and custom-made parts.

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The lightsaber you mention is actually 3 different sabers, each with its own unique features:

  • Anakin Episode III (has gold highlights)
  • Luke Episode IV (has a bubble strip on the activator)
  • Luke Episode V (has a circuit board connector on the activator)

 

I'm pretty sure Master Replicas made each of these. So I would suggest you do some research and see which one you like.

I myself prefer Luke's Episode IV saber. I have the Icons version. It's a reasonable replica, but if you want it to be as accurate as possible, you need to build one yourself using a real Graflex flash gun.

You know of the rebellion against the Empire?

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I saw a Black Series, Force FX Lightsaber on sale from Hasbro. It has a blue blade, but I’m not sure whether it is from IV or V. I say this because I currently have no unedited copies, and I can’t figure out which lightsaber I’m looking at when I watch my 97 tapes or my Blu-Rays. The lightsaber runs about $150, but depending on where and when you get it, the price may change. Also, there are many reviews that the lightsaber is not very loud, so don’t be surprised when you get it.

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I have the Hasbro Force FX Luke lightsaber from a couple of years ago. If this is the same as the one they’re currently selling, it’s pretty nice. It’s a replica of the ANH saber hilt with the bubble switch and no rivets in the rubber grips. As far as I can tell it’s quite accurate to the original prop. It also has the really neat feature of the fx blade being removable. It comes with an insert to put in where the blade comes out so it looks totally screen accurate when “off”. The blade is nice and vibrant and the sound effects are good. The motion control and impact activation of the sound effects works well. I also have an older Master Replicas Vader ANH force fx lightsaber. Comparing the two, the master replicas sound IS louder, but not so much so that it makes much difference, IMO. The master replicas also seems to have more individual lights in the blade so that the power up extension and power down retraction of the blade looks a bit smoother or more natural. But again, it’s a minor difference.

But with the awesome removable blade feature, I actually kinda prefer the Hasbro saber. I wish they were still in the $100-$120 range but even at $150 it’s really hard to go wrong. The removable blade Hasbro sabers are really fun to play with and they make wonderful display pieces with or without the blade.

JEDIT

Here’s a little illustration that might help you figure out the differences between the props. It doesn’t show how both OT sabers hung from the belt via a “D” shaped ring bolted to the bottom, whereas the ROTS hilt has the standard prequel style attachment where a black plastic circle on the side of the hilt snapped into a clip on the belt.

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There’s a new(ish) guy in Texas who is making exact Graflex flashgun replicas (the camera part the original prop was made of). www.romanprops.com. They’re beautiful. Then I’d recommend SlothFurnace for the circuit card, and a guy named WannaWanga has good kits to convert the flashgun to a lightsaber. Google/bing them and you should find their stores. If I were doing it, that’s what I’d do. Not that I’ve thought about it much or anything… ☺ May the Force be with you!

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I have an Icons Episode IV, which came without the blade. It’s quite nice and totally fits the bill as a conversation piece.

That said, if you really want something realistic, the best thing is to find an actual Graflex and convert it yourself.

And like others have said, bear in mind that the sabers from III, IV, and V are all different, so you’ll need to decide which one you want. Sabers from IV and V can be converted from a Graflex, whereas with Episode III you’re stuck buying a licensed replica because of the differences.

You know of the rebellion against the Empire?

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Anyone know the best UK manufacturers?

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UKMets said:

Anyone know the best UK manufacturers?

A bit late to the thread, yet it may be of interest to others…

https://krsabers.com/

https://www.jqsabers.com/

https://www.dcsabers.co.uk/home

https://www.forcesabers.uk/
 

It’s also worth checking out etsy.com/uk for lightsabers too - some decent offers on there, and not too bad on the postage - even coming from the US or Far East.

This site also has a decent list of stores (across the world - including the UK) for sabers - or for parts / replacements etc - https://sabersourcing.com/list-of-lightsaber-companies/

It depends mainly on your requirements - budget (as always!) or if you’d like something with a blade - or just a saber hilt on a stand, something to ‘duel’ with (or withstand a few knocks and scrapes), or a saber that resembles those used in the films or EU etc - or not…

 

A couple of months ago I ordered a ‘Kyojin’ lightsaber from The Pach Store in Singapore (I am in the UK) as a present. Only took 2/3 weeks to arrive - packaged very well & securely, and the quality for the price was outstanding at $59 (£47), plus p&p.

It’s a ‘light-mid’ dualing saber, has a 7/8 of an inch thick blade (many sabers have 1 inch blades), and has sounds - clashes, hums, movement sounds, blaster blocking sounds, and turn off & on sounds too. Available with black, silver or gold hilts - with blades in red, green, blue, amber, pink and aquamarine…

Superb value for money in my humble opinion - though obviously it doesn’t resemble anything that appears in the films. Have seen a few people ‘weather’ or ‘battle damage’ theirs, adding customisations such as leather straps - or painting some of the recesses a differing colour etc.

https://www.thepachstore.com/collections/custom-sabers/products/kyojin
 

There’s some decent reviews on it on here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGUmlZMojoE & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pKTahCV5Tw & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NUiVORqDVQ

The same saber can be bought in the UK from https://thesaberarmory.com/product-category/hilts/complete-lightsabers/ - called an ‘ECO Saber’ on their site - for £59 plus p&p.
 

Though it’s probably best to look around on the some of the various lightsaber forums, youtube reviews and videos before making your mind up whatever you may opt for.

PS - it’s also worth having a look around for a decent quality stand or mount for the saber too.
 

A little patience goes a long way on this old-school Rebel base. If you are having issues finding what you are looking for, these will be of some help…

Welcome to the OriginalTrilogy.com | Introduce yourself in here | Useful info within : About : Help : Site Rules : Fan Project Rules : Announcements
How do I do this?’ on the OriginalTrilogy.com; some info & answers + FAQs - includes info on how to search for projects and threads on the OT•com

A Project Index for Star Wars Preservations (Harmy’s Despecialized & 4K77/80/83 etc) : A Project Index for Star Wars Fan Edits (adywan & Hal 9000 etc)

… and take your time to look around this site before posting - to get a feel for this place. Don’t just lazily make yet another thread asking for projects.

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The Legacy sabers from Galaxy’s Egde are a nice option in my opinion. If you can’t make it to the park, you can find some of them for sale on the Disney website. They’re adding Dooku’s saber soon.

Imgur

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Im late to the party here, but as other have mentioned, the “official” sabers aren’t good enough for me. Romans Props, 89 Sabers, KR Sabers, Korbanth… All great options. If you’re looking for Lukes from RotJ then 7Chambers MoM hilt is the closest one available to screen accuracy, and my current favorite of all I own is the Dennis Lukanov Creepy Uncle. SO many amazing saber options out there, but beware… 1, it’s expensive and you have to have a lot of patience for the long wait times, and 2, It’s addicting!

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Im looking for the Luke Skywalker TESB version that’s my favourite one some with or without blades and or with sound boards kits also some that are replicas or inspired ones. Some people say DO NOT go to “Saberforce” they cheat you an have very bad customer service. So where can I go to to buy the I want for not so high price. Anyone oyt here know?

I Am The Way, The Light, and The Force.

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Well I would recommended that look on ETSY.com yes I know it sounds cheesy however they have a few vey good sellers who make credible replicas of the sabers you want I’m buying one off of there along some 3d vehicles and structures and some are made to specifications. So May The Force With You. P.S. SW:TESB premiered 42 yrs ago on this Sunday. So have fun watching.

I Am The Way, The Light, and The Force.