Return of the Saber Doodles

[Darth Logos]

keep in mind it does have a basket guard so theres plenty of room. Many rapiers have loops or ergonomic crossguards to allow this for greater blade control and tip precision

I would have thought that the elaborate hand guards were a practical way of increasing the mass of the handle. The closer you get the center of mass of the sword in the actual grip, the more control you have.

When I look at this sketch, I see the guard as being narrowly conical; with a base of maybe 5" diameter, anf a strip roughly 2" wide for the finger guard.

[PsychoSith]

I would have thought that the elaborate hand guards were a practical way of increasing the mass of the handle. The closer you get the center of mass of the sword in the actual grip, the more control you have.

When I look at this sketch, I see the guard as being narrowly conical; with a base of maybe 5" diameter, anf a strip roughly 2" wide for the finger guard.

Nobles got small hands, yo,
/joke

Widening some of that area up for ergonomic reasons on the final drawing. Still trying to get the "speedy" feeling though

[TheDutchman]

As mentioned earlier, I have a small project I've been working on before i get to remaking the old stuff. Specifically, Logos and I had a small discussion on the Ultrasabers idea thread regarding the feasibility of lightsabers designed around Rapiers.

Well during my research it turns out the EU had already touched on this. Theyre called "lightfoils" and were a Sith / Noble light-sword based on lightsabers, but not exactly. Opting for an energy blade that doesnt appear to be powered by a crystal (due to the name being specifically distinguished away from "lightsaber"). They seemed to be parimarily used to settle personal duels, similar to the IRL Rapier/Foil they are based on.

Of course my brain immediately went to making it a full fledged lightsaber, and maybe even touching upon a flat blade design since TCW/Rebels opened up that can o worms with the Darksaber.



So which design do you guys feel is the most practical / would work best with a flat blade? Obviously it would be centered around Makashi form.

While I like your drawings of the lightfoils (as always, plus they look incredibly graceful), I think I prefer the "heavier" sabers instead (although I think that the provenance behind "nobles wielding lightfoils" fits perfectly for the narrative).  That said, I'd love to see what you come up with for your own Darksaber analogue 

[PsychoSith]

While I like your drawings of the lightfoils (as always, plus they look incredibly graceful), I think I prefer the "heavier" sabers instead (although I think that the provenance behind "nobles wielding lightfoils" fits perfectly for the narrative).  That said, I'd love to see what you come up with for your own Darksaber analogue 

Much as the flat blade designs still irks me from a lore perspective, I can't hate on the design itself, yet another project to add to the list! Meanwhile;

[PsychoSith]

Aaaand todays second project:

[Darth Logos]

Much as the flat blade designs still irks me from a lore perspective, I can't hate on the design itself, yet another project to add to the list! Meanwhile;

POINTS! ALL THE POINTS!

The flat blade idea irks me to hell and back. The idea of a lightsaber is literally a 360° cutting edge. What purpose does making it flat serve? I fear I'm going to get backlash for saying this, but I've never had an issue with the notion of a black blade. I've even worked out how it could theoretically be achieved within the fictional science of SW.

As far as the hilt of the Dark Saber, I still don't like it. The corners of the rectangular grip would destroy your hands on impact. Now if they had done it more like Ahsoka's SWR sabers, then yes. Much more ergonomic design.

[Karmack]

POINTS! ALL THE POINTS!

The flat blade idea irks me to hell and back. The idea of a lightsaber is literally a 360° cutting edge. What purpose does making it flat serve? I fear I'm going to get backlash for saying this, but I've never had an issue with the notion of a black blade. I've even worked out how it could theoretically be achieved within the fictional science of SW.

As far as the hilt of the Dark Saber, I still don't like it. The corners of the rectangular grip would destroy your hands on impact. Now if they had done it more like Ahsoka's SWR sabers, then yes. Much more ergonomic design.

100% agreement.   But that foil design...   It is SPOT ON.
Killer, PS.   Killer hilt.   :-)

[PsychoSith]

100% agreement.   But that foil design...   It is SPOT ON.
Killer, PS.   Killer hilt.   :-)

Thanks Karmack! I was a little nervous as the popular vote between the three rapiers was probably my least favorite so I was real careful to make sure it lived up to expectations!

POINTS! ALL THE POINTS!

The flat blade idea irks me to hell and back. The idea of a lightsaber is literally a 360° cutting edge. What purpose does making it flat serve? I fear I'm going to get backlash for saying this, but I've never had an issue with the notion of a black blade. I've even worked out how it could theoretically be achieved within the fictional science of SW.

As far as the hilt of the Dark Saber, I still don't like it. The corners of the rectangular grip would destroy your hands on impact. Now if they had done it more like Ahsoka's SWR sabers, then yes. Much more ergonomic design.

And y'know I'm a guy who is willing to waive some small amount of function for form, so im caught between those awkward two voices in my head of "A flat blade makes no sense!" and "Yeah but its really cool!". Ultimately its a little silly, but it would be interesting to see the visual applications beyond "glowy sword"

[Karmack]

And y'know I'm a guy who is willing to waive some small amount of function for form, so im caught between those awkward two voices in my head of "A flat blade makes no sense!" and "Yeah but its really cool!". Ultimately its a little silly, but it would be interesting to see the visual applications beyond "glowy sword"

I am reminded of the weapons the Imperial Guard used in "The Last Jedi" against Rey and Kylo.   I'm not sure what they were actually supposed to be, but what if it was something like that?   A very light, thin frame holding some kind of energy blade?  It could be two-edged, or even very light and x-shaped with FOUR edges for cutting, allowing functional 360-degree usage but not a true plasma-blade like the ones "real" light sabers use.  It would also negate the need for the force-user connection to the weapon that is infused into canon.

Just a thought....

[PsychoSith]

I am reminded of the weapons the Imperial Guard used in "The Last Jedi" against Rey and Kylo.   I'm not sure what they were actually supposed to be, but what if it was something like that?   A very light, thin frame holding some kind of energy blade?  It could be two-edged, or even very light and x-shaped with FOUR edges for cutting, allowing functional 360-degree usage but not a true plasma-blade like the ones "real" light sabers use.  It would also negate the need for the force-user connection to the weapon that is infused into canon.

Just a thought....

Recently re-watched. The appear to be normal vibroweapons with some kind of plasma torch or energy vent on the leading edge of the blade, allowing it to clash with sabers. Thats all based on appearances though so if someone has more elaborate canon content feel free to correct me.

[Darth Logos]

And y'know I'm a guy who is willing to waive some small amount of function for form, so im caught between those awkward two voices in my head of "A flat blade makes no sense!" and "Yeah but its really cool!". Ultimately its a little silly, but it would be interesting to see the visual applications beyond "glowy sword"

I have reached a reasonable compromise on the physics of a flat blade, and especially for the lower power output of a foil, it makes sense.

The emitted containment field could be flat if the emitter matrix were a narrow rectangular configuration. By the nature of the blade, it would still be able to cut at any angle, but its appearance would be flat. But here's the kicker: the blade would have to be symmetric along the long axis, like a rapier blade.

I could have gotten behind the Dark Saber if a) it followed this guideline, b) didn't extend beyond the emitter width, and c) wasn't SHAPED. More akin to a gladius

I am reminded of the weapons the Imperial Guard used in "The Last Jedi" against Rey and Kylo.

BOOOO! Those suck.

Recently re-watched. The appear to be normal vibroweapons with some kind of plasma torch or energy vent on the leading edge of the blade, allowing it to clash with sabers. Thats all based on appearances though so if someone has more elaborate canon content feel free to correct me.

BOOOOO! Canon content sucks.

[PsychoSith]

I have reached a reasonable compromise on the physics of a flat blade, and especially for the lower power output of a foil, it makes sense.

The emitted containment field could be flat if the emitter matrix were a narrow rectangular configuration. By the nature of the blade, it would still be able to cut at any angle, but its appearance would be flat. But here's the kicker: the blade would have to be symmetric along the long axis, like a rapier blade.

I could have gotten behind the Dark Saber if a) it followed this guideline, b) didn't extend beyond the emitter width, and c) wasn't SHAPED. More akin to a gladius

I can get behind that. Especially if getting struck by the flat of the blade wouldn't fully cut due to it being less power over a wider area but still caused a nasty burn

[Darth Logos]

I can get behind that. Especially if getting struck by the flat of the blade wouldn't fully cut due to it being less power over a wider area but still caused a nasty burn

WRONG! It is still a light blade. If it has the power to cut, then it has the ability to cut all the way around. Now I do know the initiate sabers used by younglings to train were underpowered so that any sustained strikes would burn and not dismember.

[PsychoSith]

WRONG! It is still a light blade. If it has the power to cut, then it has the ability to cut all the way around. Now I do know the initiate sabers used by younglings to train were underpowered so that any sustained strikes would burn and not dismember.

What I'm saying is if the energy is dispersed over a wider area like a flat blade (especially if we're talking lightfoils) a small strike would likely burn. Not saying that it couldnt dismember, it would just require more "force" heh.

[TheDutchman]

Much as the flat blade designs still irks me from a lore perspective, I can't hate on the design itself, yet another project to add to the list! Meanwhile;

OK, not only do I like this design but the name for it--"Makashi Master"--just...brilliant, simply brilliant 

Aaaand todays second project:

Allow me to reiterate: these are beautiful!  Something about them elicits me of my own childhood ideas of Jedi sabers whenever my friends and I would play "Us-the Star Wars People" (how's that for cringe-worthy  ).  Anyhow--and like any smart kid  --I WANTED to have a lightsaber, often times stealing my dad's flashlight while attaching a colored PVC pipe to it, happily smacking anything that came within proximity (...and getting me into trouble, naturally  ).  LONG STORY SHORT: these awesome pics remind me of that time 

I have reached a reasonable compromise on the physics of a flat blade, and especially for the lower power output of a foil, it makes sense.

The emitted containment field could be flat if the emitter matrix were a narrow rectangular configuration. By the nature of the blade, it would still be able to cut at any angle, but its appearance would be flat. But here's the kicker: the blade would have to be symmetric along the long axis, like a rapier blade.

I could have gotten behind the Dark Saber if a) it followed this guideline, b) didn't extend beyond the emitter width, and c) wasn't SHAPED. More akin to a gladius


BOOOO! Those suck.
BOOOOO! Canon content sucks.

As an avid sword collector, I really like the gladius you included.  However, I really enjoyed your explanation for the flatblade saber.

Points gentlemen