Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber: Facts & History
Since Darth Vader was a Sith lord and Luke Skywalker was “not a Jedi yet,” the first Jedi ever shown on screen was the formidable Obi-Wan Kenobi. Lightsaber duels with these Jedi and Sith weapons might not have been quite as common in the original trilogy as in the prequels or sequels, but they were always iconic. As Obi-Wan says, the lightsaber is “an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.”
Perhaps the most iconic duel of all is when “Old Ben” Kenobi squares off against his former Padawan, Darth Vader, giving us a look at the classic Obi-Wan lightsaber. But as the prequels revealed, it was not his only one. Whether played by Sir Alec Guinness or Ewan McGregor, Obi-Wan is one of the most important Jedi in Star Wars lore. Join us as we explain Obi-Wan’s lightsaber history, including facts about the Obi-Wan lightsaber hilt, color and more.
What Color Is Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Lightsaber?
Obi-Wan is a prominent character who has a blue lightsaber in Star Wars. Unlike other characters who may have used different colors, blue is the only color ever associated with the Obi-Wan Kenobi lightsaber. Color has different meanings for the various lightsabers in the greater Star Wars universe, although the movies don’t address it directly. Indeed, the blue lightsaber’s meaning is associated with Jedi Guardians.
Why Didn’t Obi-Wan Have a Green Lightsaber?
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber is blue, which, according to the lore and history behind the blue lightsaber, associates him with the Jedi Guardians — those who prioritize peace, hope and physical prowess. This contrasts with the Jedi Consulars who usually wield green lightsabers and focus on mental acuity, diplomacy and wisdom — the more spiritual aspects of the Force. That doesn’t mean they can’t have traits of both styles (after all, few are as wise as Obi-Wan Kenobi). Lightsaber color is just an indication of the wielder’s general outlook, an expression of their character. Those who use a blue saber tend to be warriors rather than sage masters.
How Many Lightsabers Did Obi-Wan Have?
Across the Star Wars saga, Obi-Wan had three lightsabers. We’ll detail each of them below.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s First Lightsaber (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace)
In Episode 1, we see Padawan Obi-Wan wielding a blue lightsaber that is almost identical to that of Qui-Gon Jinn, his master (although Qui-Gon’s is green). In the film, Obi-Wan’s lightsaber is lost during the clash with Darth Maul on Naboo, falling down a shaft as John Williams’ incredible “Duel of the Fates” plays over the epic scenes.
- First Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber Hilt: With a simple black and gray design, red actuator button and knobbed pommel, Obi-Wan’s original hilt exemplifies simplicity over flair, and its similarity to Qui-Gon’s exemplifies that the young Padawan is in the early stages of becoming a Jedi.
Obi-Wan’s Second Lightsaber (Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones)
After the death of Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan makes his second lightsaber (seen in Episode 2) almost an exact replica of his first. Despite being promoted and taking on Anakin Skywalker as his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber design stays the same as a tribute to his fallen master. This second saber is apprehended by Count Dooku and never returned to Obi-Wan, forcing him to pick up a replacement for the first battle of the Clone Wars (although that one never technically belongs to him).
- Second Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber Hilt: This saber features the same basic hilt design as his original, showing deference to Qui-Gon Jinn as part of Obi-Wan’s journey.
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Third Lightsaber (Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, The Clone Wars, Episode IV – A New Hope)
Now a Jedi Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s third lightsaber (the final one he wields) is an entirely different design from the previous two — an indication of his progress, individuality and confidence in battle. We see this lightsaber throughout The Clone Wars series and in Episode 3, where he uses it in his devastating clash with Anakin Skywalker who has turned to the Dark Side and become Darth Vader. Finally, in one of Star Wars’ most exciting scenes, Obi-Wan wields it once more in Episode 4 during his final confrontation with Vader, when he lets Vader strike him down so that Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa can escape the Death Star.
- Third Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber Hilt: The unique design of this hilt is a bit bulkier than his previous two, with a tapered neck that flows into a bowl-style emitter. There is a black grip with silver flourishes and a long, gold ignition switch. Notably, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s third lightsaber hilt inspired the one Jedi Luke Skywalker built for himself, as seen in Return of the Jedi.
What Lightsaber Form Does Obi-Wan Use?
Obi-Wan uses Form III: Soresu and is a master of the form. This means that Obi-Wan has a more defensive style for lightsaber dueling. Soresu prioritizes protection and defensive movement over active aggression, making it a more pacifist style. However, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber skills ensure that he can win duels through economical motion and minimized risk, balancing combat and Force awareness. It just means that Obi-Wan may want to protect others instead of attacking an enemy. Think counter-attacks, parries and the kind of level-headed combat that made Obi-Wan one of the greatest generals of the Clone Wars.
What Happened to the Obi-Wan Kenobi Lightsaber After A New Hope?
The current Star Wars canon does not specify what happened to Obi-Wan’s lightsaber after his duel with Darth Vader in A New Hope. In the Expanded Universe Legends lore, Vader took it from the Death Star as a trophy. This may present an opportunity for a future storyline in the new canon. However, we know we haven’t seen the last of Obi-Wan’s lightsaber — the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series premiering on Disney+ in 2022 will show precisely what he did with it leading up to Episode 4, and fans are already speculating that early promotional material might show the Jedi carrying another famous lightsaber from the Star Wars saga.
Be Like Obi-Wan Kenobi With Lightsaber Products From UltraSabers
You might want an Obi-Wan Kenobi lightsaber replica, but you also might prefer to build your own custom lightsaber that shows off your true Jedi (or Sith Lord) prowess. UltraSabers is your master — with removable blade options and a variety of colors and hilt styles to choose from, you’re sure to get the right saber for you. Use the Force and find yourself an elegant weapon for a more civilized age!