Saber Forum

Before the dark times (the global pandemic), I would occasionally spar with a staff held vertically in my off hand (nothing too serious).  It would essentially act as a light, tall shield to parry and deflect my opponent's attacks while I strike with a more traditional sword in my dominant hand.  I've never actually applied this with a lightsaber staff before, but I am curious to see if anyone has, and if so, what their results were.

Very interesting. I have not done this, but if you have done it with a level of proficiency using non-lightsaber weapons, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with lightsabers. I guess the only thing is buying a saberstaff and another saber could be a little bit pricey.

That said, if you’re planning on using it purely for defensive purposes, like a staff (not sure if you meant an actual staff or a bladed staff of some sort), then maybe, depending on who you’re sparring and what their rules are, you could use some sort of non-lightsaber staff in one hand and a normal lightsaber in the other. We’ve seen in-universe a Beskar Spear repeatedly block lightsaber blows for example. You’d just want to make sure it’s made out of something that isn’t going to damage any blades in comes in contact with. I’m making a “Beskar” spear now from a bendable 3D printed spearhead attached to 5’ of 1” PVC pipe with metallic steel spray paint and some clear coat. I’ll test to make sure it doesn’t chip paint on things, but I’d imagine high grade lightsaber blades shouldn’t have an issue sparring with PVC pipe? But don’t quote me on that. I’ll have to test it myself.

My only lightsaber is a saberstaff that can split into 2 sabers, but once the spear is finished, I could see trying to use it in one hand and a single blade in the other.

Sorry I can’t give you actual experience with it though.

There is a resident master, or one of the ones who used to frequent the forum who specialized in/developed a fighting style of exactly this. It's an adaptation of Jar Kai, and I thought it was also listed in Master Ulios Discourse or at least referenced... (If I'm somehow mistaken then that's a shame.) I'll have to do a little digging and see what I can find and get back to you. This is something of great interest to me because it's a style I would love to become proficient in! I also already have the requisite number of blades to do so, thus would be excited to start working on this. My current saberstaff is not ideal for this application (at least by my own reasoning since it's 6' 3" or so) as it's a bit too much to easily wield one handed and have the mobility I'd desire using this form... but I'm willing to try anyway and probably increase that arm's strength/stamina severely in the process. Until I can acquire a shorter saberstaff anyway.

References as follows: Page 15 of the topic, about half way down is the link to view the Discourse.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=2131.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=2131.0)
...I'll keep digging to see if I can find out exactly who developed/practiced this style within the forum community. I meant to for my own knowledge/training at some point anyway so this gives me some motivation to follow through now VS later. Also I just figured someone of your seeming interest in these topics would potentially enjoy some relatively related light reading anyway.

Thanks for the input and links!  This will make for some fun reading.  I too haven't tried it for finance-related reasons, although here's hoping the opportunity to borrow someone's will arise in the future.  I'm guessing though that such styles are only for informal play though, correct?  From what I've seen of tournaments, all of them seem standardized to use single, normal-type lightsabers.

Checking the rules for Rogue Saber and Saber Legion. Rogue Saber first

"Either Duelist may be armed with one saber, two sabers, sabers with hand guards, saber-staffs containing two blades, or sabers with abnormally long hilts."

So it sounds like you could have anywhere from one normal saber to two full on saberstaffs or saberpikes if that's what you want and have in your posession.

https://www.roguesaber.com/files/Sparring%20and%20Dueling%20Rules.pdf (https://www.roguesaber.com/files/Sparring%20and%20Dueling%20Rules.pdf)

Saber Legion:

"Homemade hilts or parts cannot be used without approval of the gear inspection staff as they have not been tested and may place Members in danger."

https://www.saberlegion.org/assets/resources/TSL-Official-Event-Rules-and-Guidelines.pdf (https://www.saberlegion.org/assets/resources/TSL-Official-Event-Rules-and-Guidelines.pdf)

So as long as it's two direct from manufactured weapons, or three blades, you should be good to go.

Saberstaffs are allowed there, with a hilt no longer than 36 inches, blades no shorter than 22" each, and an overall length no longer than 82" total.

They do however have dual wield guidelines as well, and no single hilt for dual wielding can be longer than 16", which means a typical staff with a 18-24" hilt would not be allowed to be used with even a single shoto blade in the offhand. The total blade length can also not exceed 84", with no blade shorter than 8", or longer than 39".

So if you wanted to push those rules as far as you can, a 16" hilt for a saberstaff with two 24" blades would give you a 5'-4" staff, maybe a bit shorter due to the blades resting into the staff a bit (so let's say 5' to 5'-4" length), and then a typical 8-12" hilt in the other hand would allow you to have a 36" blade on that one.

So you can have 3 blades between two sabers, but it looks like Zoro from One Piece may not be allowed to hold a third full sword in his mouth here.

I suppose if you made some crazy mouth-guard, or helmet attachment that is basically a hilt with a blade extending from it and it was "approved" as acceptable... then even that could work. Wow, just wow. (Although the impracticality and likely lack of safety of such a device/weapon setup would be in serious question IMO.) It'd be really cool to see, and the concept makes me laugh, but I wouldn't want to risk whiplash or develop the neck muscles required to do such a thing! So cool but SO impractical, thank you anime for insane ideas.

Anime does know how to take things up to eleven for sure. It looks like to be approved for sparring, the blades have to be illuminated and strong enough not to shatter or bend or dent on impact. So being able to hold something that heavy in your mouth would be a Herculean feat. Even as a helmet attachment as you said, to have any level of mobility with it would be insanely impressive, and the longer it is, the more of a torque or moment it will put on your neck muscles with a longer and heavier lever arm of sorts. Not to mention every time the head blade makes contact with another weapon or body part, or anything really, instead of that force being absorbed into the hands and arms, it's going into the head and neck, which does not sound like much fun. As you said, super fun and cool in concept, super insane in our reality at least.

On a related note of abnormal lightsaber weapons, some lightsaber wolverine claws could be cool. Sort of have a forearm mounted gauntlet of sorts that would illuminate multiple "claw" blades coming out from the top of your hands. Although that sort of shape from an illuminated tube wouldn't be as durable as a traditional round blade I'd wager, so for full contact sparring, that would likely be an issue. Perhaps thinner tubes would be durable enough? Or even just a single "claw" instead of threee like  "Deadpool" (if you can call him that) had in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. the only thing with that would be that the gauntlet or whatever that secures it to your forearm would have to be pretty well fitting to prevent it from falling off or moving around when making contact. Just random silly thoughts of crazy weapons that are almost assuredly more fun and cool than practical or functional.

Yep, that's in line with the mental math I'd done personally upon debating the idea myself. Highly risky to the point of ridiculous with no real strategic gains anywhere worth relevance. Especially since those guidelines dictated blade length. Now in a more informal setting where a shoto style blade could be used instead, it becomes vaguely more possible... but again only by someone with an insanely muscled neck. We're talking professional grade body builders with the highest tier of musculature or some unreal Incredible Hulk IRL guy. Even then, (for the reasons you outlined) the forces applied on striking, if the blade is parried, or even continually holding the thing up; all of it remains unreasonable as it gets. Better for a Halloween costume than actual application, for sure. But I'd laugh hard just seeing someone just gear up to fight like that! Less so at their inevitable injury (SO please no one attempt it, I don't suggest this lunacy even slightly) it's just an odd concept for a style of 3 blade fighting.


Yes to a Wolverine claw, I suppose it could even fall within rules somehow.

As to that thing which shall never be spoken of... NO, just no, didn't happen. He went back with the time device and fixed the timeline, so as far as I'm concerned THAT is canon and we all never need reminding of such nameless horrors. Instead lets say your idea is a great example of Baraka from MK! That'd be interesting to see for sure, but surely a design challenge.

At any rate thanks for the research, good to know that if the sabers are "custom built" within specifications it appears that using a saberstaff in one hand and a single lightsaber in the other looks to be conventionally acceptable within some of the guidelines. It would be awesome to try and/or see video of it if (and I wouldn't be surprised if) it does exist already. I still really enjoy this idea of a fighting style. I'll have to retain those dimensions for my overall setup once I arm myself to practice this extensively.

Ah, yes, Bakara is a much better example. I assume that if the "hilts" are really just forearm-mounted bracers, then there's no real hilt, so it would just be a blade length limitation? They would of course have to approve it for safety and durability purposes, since it's insanely unconventional.

I'm not even aware of any saberstaff hilts that are 16" or less though. The shorter paired ones are like 18.75", and the Dominicide is 17" from emitter to emitter. Even specialty shoto hilts are at least 8.25" each, which would be 16.5" total, or still longer than 16". Another staff I see has a ~17.7" hilt. Seems you'd need something custom made, and probably a tight fit on the internals I'd imagine?

Ok Dark menace is 10.375" hilt and 2.8 is emitter. So remove those and you have 7.575 smallest couplers are 1.75 which is the issue! If you could make a purely internal one that threads into both ends to be perfectly flush, bringing both hilts flush together... then it's 15.15 with no emitters. So you basically need to buy or make an MHS compatible emitter at under/roughly .5" for each side and hope they let it slide if it's minorly over 16"? But the Dominicide looks like one of the smallest options, If you cut off and sand down the claws on both sides. I have to look again since they don't list pure emitter length but it might be close enough if modified like this?

And the V2 connector looks low profile as heck, so I'll guess it's .5"-.25" between threading till told otherwise... Dark initiate V2 is 8.75, so if you can grind/cut down the emitters on a pair of them (without compromising the firm hold of a locked in blade) removing ideally an 1" from each OR create a purely internal connector (like I mentioned above, to make them come together purely flush to each other) then probably only .75" could be taken away from each. Like I said it all depends on how well it can hold it's blades on each end after modification. But once you sand down and re finish the emitter ends, it could be a legit saberstaff within regulations. And the real ability to make a custom coupler from one of those double sided opposingly threaded "Connector screws" of the right size could possibly work. I think it might be feasible to get a 16" hilt one of these two ways...

Do emitters not count as hilt length? Saber Legion says hilt length is measured from the end of the pommel to the tip of the emitter." Under the "Exotic Saber" section, they also say "Any saber measuring over 59” in total length, measured from the end of the hilt to the opposite blade, must be handled with 2 hands at all times." It's on a different page than the staff and pike pages, so I'm not 100% sure what it's saying, and the "dual wield" page shows two standard sabers, although as we discussed, if the "exotic saber" format rules aren't applicable (which may or may not be the case, I do not know), you can fit a staff and a single blade in those rules. At worst that means that a saberstaff is inherently a single-weapon-only option, and must be used with two hands.

Rogue Saber, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have the same stringent rules, so maybe this is all a non-issue for them? I suppose it may be wise to actually contact the various associations to check before spending hundreds of dollars on an exact configuration that may not be necessary, or still may not even be allowed.

Dominicide still says 17" emitter to emitter (20.5" claw to claw).

The standard coupler is flush, in that the two hilts touch each other and it provides essentially no additional length to the combined hilt, but I suppose it then comes down what they consider the emitter. Based on their drawings, it looks like the blade is measured from the tip to where it visibly meets the hilt, so if a 24" blade loses some length sitting in the hilt, then I'd imagine that length has to be considered part of the hilt? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I suppose cutting down on the emitter to change some of the hilt length to blade length could work, assuming it still holds in place well enough. That's a creative way to do things that no one would even notice unless they had an identical saber with the standard emitter next to it.

It's an interesting idea, to be sure, and fun to consider exactly how far the rules can be pushed. But I think I'd either stick with a single saberstaff, or even a single saberpike.

I'd think you would be accurate in "visible blade length" being ruled as blade length. Since it seems odd to calculate the part internalized within the emitter itself.

Just under 5' @ 4.916' is equivalent to 59" so subtracting 18" as hilt leaves 41" for blades SO since you are not allowed to cut blades down to 20" a piece (no under 22" rule) then it's unallowable under those rules to use single handed saberstaffs basically... Within outlined SL rules? So it would seem Saberlegion just wouldn't allow the use of this concept at first glance... I'll need to read through their rules personally to double check, since I'm pretty good at translating documents seemingly in "legalese" or similar variants. No matter what if the emitter is shortened I'd torture test the ability to retain the blade after repetitive impacts or if stress to the emitter starts cracking/splitting it somehow after enough use/force. I live to find a masterful way to stay "within the rules" creatively but seek adaptation and growth of concepts, technique, whatever.

I'd be inclined to try it with Rogue Saber instead then. Since if they don't have such stringent guidelines on precisely measured saber specs seemingly it's the better bet. I have to read their rules now.


Well using a single saberstaff just goes against the goal TheCharlax and myself are pursuing sadly... I really want to use this style, so whatever adaptations are needed within reason to comply seem worthwhile to me. But I agree, contacting an organization you'd desire competing in prior to ordering/construction in order to outline your intentions and request approval would be the wise path. But the reactions to using it effectively in sparring would make it worth it if allowed as legal, and if you fight proficiently. Single hand saberstaff spinning, maneuvering, and dexterity would be of paramount importance IMO.

I would strongly advise you read the rules yourself and come to your own conclusions instead of trusting what I say of course. And if there's still any level of ambiguity, I'm sure there is a way to reach out to them to ask via Facebook, email, phone, etc. before going and buying or permanently modifying anything to fit rules and requirements you're not absolutely sure of.

And agreed, the goal of this topic is the staff and a single blade, which would be quite impressive, and quite intimidating to see someone proficient in. Good luck with it to the both of you, whatever route you decide to go. Keep me updated!

But heck, you're used to a shorter saberstaff overall than I deal with, so given your experience I bet you'd become proficient in this faster than I likely would. I wouldn't count yourself out yet unless you really don't find it interesting enough to pursue. You've got mad skills after all.

Holy cow!  The different links were nice enough, but both of you went above and beyond in your analysis of parts measurements and interpretations of league rules.  Kudos!

For what it's worth, if I were to try the proposed style, the Phantasm Initiate V2 would probably be my first choice so as to minimize the weight and concentrate the center of rotation of the lightsaber.


Funny that you brought this up.  I've been scouring the internet for that design since at least 2014, and I've only found one example of someone building such a custom. 

Thanks. I suppose I could try to get used to it, particularly since I'd be using one of the two more defensively than trying a hyper-offensive style with both where I'd have to be moving them both at insane speeds at the same time. I do find it very interesting, but I don't have two sabers. Maybe I just use one saberpike (6' length) and one standard saber? That wouldn't fly with Saber Legion, although it may with Rogue Saber? That could pretty fun.

I just had a thought with regards to fulfilling the "Less than 16 inches" hilt rule:

In saberstaffs, hilts are normally coupled in a linear fashion (pommel to pommel).  What if instead, they are joined in a parallel arrangement (emitter to pommel on both ends)?

I like the train of thought, that would be different to see/wield indeed, and it might fit under those guidelines... I'm wracking my brain trying to think if I've seen something quite like that before either. I can't imagine it being ergonomic in the slightest but with hands gripping opposing sides I could see it possibly working. There are also some with more ergonomic grips or styles that I could see being welded together or something to suit this design. Necessity being the mother of invention definitely pushed you toward creating a rather Frankensaber idea there for sure.

I wonder if this can be pulled off using the simpler Initiate designs and some PVC pipe joints.  If I didn't already have a custom project planned, I would give it a shot, lol.  Ah well, maybe if I get to buy another pair in the future.

Hmm. I'd imagine it would be rather difficult to properly hold firmly, yet alone spin or maneuver well. But I suppose if you securely adhered them together that way, perhaps it could work, particularly if you wrapped them together as to appear more like a single thick hilt, with blades coming out either end that are just a little bit offset from the center.
I'd imagine that the two hilts would have to be in contact with each other for this to be even considered a single-hilt, not just two sabers. So I don't think you'd be able to use some sort of fitting to put a gap between them and have them parallel but not in contact with each other, although that would potentially be more ergonomic than a super fat single hilt consisting of two hilts in direct contact with each other. Almost like the folded version of Rey's saberstaff, where the hilts were parallel but separated, except in this instance, the blades would face in opposite directions instead of the same, which means it wouldn't extend/unfold to form a staff, since it would already be a staff of sorts as is.

I'm tempted to draw up some designs of how I think it could work in a few different styles. But the way I see it, it wouldn't really be able to spin like a true staff. And the wielder would have to keep both hands on it to manipulate it well, unless it does have a central gap space with finger fitting grooves of a sort. Then you could take one hand away and wield it with relative proficiency. Or if the joining point between the hilts simply leaves enough of a depression to grasp firmly with a hard claw grip type of hold... it's a fun concept, and in my mind's eye it looks supremely Sith. But of course that's just because that's the software my brain runs on, it could as easily look like an Echani or High Republic looking hilt too.

Yeah, when I envisioned this design, I was thinking of a gap between the parallel hilts for fingers.  It wouldn't make for the most spinny weapon, but then, when I was using a staff in this matter, it was roughly 90% defensive and 10% offensive anyway, so that would still be ok for me, lol.

Alternatively, I just realized from watching Galef's new video that on MHS compatible sabers, an detachable emitter (like The Fallen's emitter) can be attached in place of the pommel, so if there was a way to affix LEDs to both ends of those hilts, that may be a solution as well.

I don't get how you could duel with 3 lightsabers at once.

Honestly at this point I'd be interested in seeing any prior practice video you could scrounge up using that style of combat. Or if you were ultimately comfortable with re-creating/posting new footage even using a non lightsaber staff in this style. I just find it intriguing and would enjoy such a thing for reference/as a learning tool personally. If not it's more than ok, I just love visual aids. So far you're also the only individual I can find with legitimate experience doing so as well. Just food for thought, and my own humble request if at all possible.

Understandable issue to have or be confused about. It's been discussed on the first page of this topic... the originating idea is using a Jar' Kai (dual wielding) adaptation. In one hand the user has a saberstaff (double bladed lightsaber) and in the other hand a single bladed lightsaber. Thus giving 3 blades to attack and defend with simultaneously. Not some General Grievous or 4 armed species type of fighting style. Also I suppose an adept Force user could mentally manipulate a 3rd blade (as has been seen in lore) but we're not going to those extremes.

Like this, but instead of a staff and a sword it's a double-bladed lightsaber (saberstaff) and a normal lightsaber:
(https://wallpapercave.com/wp/w1GmHIS.jpg)

Or instead of a spear and a sword, a saberstaff and a saber:
(https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-d65c5a8a72042d5891323b456af880b3)

Shown here in a light sparring video (not mine) with a shorter staff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wuJi2_3b5-g# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wuJi2_3b5-g#)

YES! Great find, THAT is exactly the idea of what we are talking about here, well done. Excellent find in that video, I now have to dive headlong into watching the videos in this series... Thank you for that Sir, points on the way.

Not to mention a hilarious yet accurate addition of Gandalf.

Indeed.  Even if I did have vids or pics, that video is a lot more coherent than any of my matches, lol.

Yep, leave it to SirLiftaLot to come through in the end with a clutch move like this, he's the go to guy IMO for some next level source material/research into topics that catch his interest. I've come to not only respect his opinion in matters but also his depth of interesting resources. Definitely knows how to unearth legitimate references, videos, and links regarding topics of conversation. Like a rare arms dealer trading in ideas, a great asset in a quest for knowledge/understanding.

Thank you for the kinds words.
(https://memegenerator.net/img/instances/66083849/i-know-google-fu.jpg)

Ok I see what you mean but what I find curious is that it strikes me as this sort of style seems to be more trouble than it is worth as carrying a double saber and a single saber would be carrying two very different weapons. If you really wanted to use such a fighting style wouldn't it be more practical to just use a pike saber instead of a double saber since the second blade of the double saber would not be used as much and might get in the way?

Funnily enough, I can actually do this, as I have two blades and some extensions, so I either use a pike and a standard saber, or even two pikes.

But yes, if we are replicating the Medieval photos I posted earlier, then having a saber pike and a standard saber would more closely replicate what they were doing, although it wouldn't be the three blades that OP was asking about. I will agree that if the staff is going to be used primarily for defending and also for stabbing more than striking, which is again pretty much the "sword and spear" concept demonstrated in the video earlier ITT, then you don't need the second blade on the staff/pike, but if you were for some reason going to do more strikes and one-handed spins with the longer saber, then the staff with two blades could provide you with more offensive capabilities at the expense of it potentially hitting yourself. So long as your hilt is lightsaber-proof in-universe, then a saberpike would provide all the defensive utility that the saberstaff would provide, as it still serves the "spear" role in the "spear and sword" strategy.

Edit: interestingly, Saber Legion has some strict rules on dueling with two sabers:

Max combined length of 84"
Max blade length for each blade: 39"
Min blade length of each blade: 8"
Max hilt lengths: 16"

Which means that a saber pike would not be allowed to be used for dual wielding under their rules, as its hilt is well over 16". But a saberstaff could be used here, if it's a short-hilted single-hand staff like Exar Kun's. You could have 2x 24" blades with a 16" hilt, but then that takes up 64 of your 84 inches, leaving you only 20" total for the other saber between the  blade and hilt. 2x 16" blades with a 16" hilt (so a 4' staff) would leave you with 36" for the single saber, which could work with 10" hilt and a 24" blade.

But finding a 16" hilt for a saberstaff would likely be a challenge, as even shoto hilts I've seen are 8.25" each, so coupled they'd be half an inch too long, although I guess if you trimmed 0.25" off each emitter it would pass. And all the single-piece staff hilts I've seen are at least 17", which means more modifications to make it work than the shoto ideas.

A pike has a greater hilt:blade ratio and would be heavier and more difficult to use with one hand, compared to a saber staff with a short hilt.  When it comes to defensive coverage  (and the occasional offensive swipe), a single-hand saberstaff is more effective than a single-hand pike.

Still seems unnecessary. Just as I learned that drawing a longer sword from a back mounted scabbard is hard. A double saber paired with a single saber seems overkill.

I had not thought of weight. Good catch!

US lists their 15" Yari pike extension at 0.75 pounds, and 0.15 pounds for a coupler, or 0.9 pounds total, or ~14.4 ounces. I read in a different thread here that a heavy grade 36" blade weighs 9 oz (which would be ~0.56 pounds). So running 2x pike extensions would bring you up to 1.8 pounds at 30" length added, while a 36" blade would add less than a third of that, saving over a pound!

What is necessary and what is unique or doable are not inherently the same though. If someone can be proficient with an over-the-top or exotic setup, it can catch people who are not prepared or trained against it off-guard, which can itself be advantageous. In-universe we've even seen Pong Krell use two saberstaffs, or four blades:
(https://i.stack.imgur.com/f9hQm.png)

True dat.  However to my mind Pong Krell's ability makes more sense since he has four arms, he can use both ends of his two lightsabers. It makes for a really cool display though. And a rather terrifying oppenent.

There Is No Kill Like Overkill. (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill)


I am wondering if there is a way to cut down Initiate v2 pommels to make that possible, before coupling them together. 

Although failing that, I think this would be my go-to solution, lol.

(https://i.imgur.com/x0ZHgut.jpg)

Does Pong ever actually use two hands/arms per saber though? In-universe, when you're blocking blaster bolts, having more blades means the ability to block more incoming fire. Pong blocked a lot of fire with his four blades from the Clones. I watched the first part of that fight in 1/4 speed, and never saw him have two hands on either saber at any time. So he was functionally only really using two arms, like a typical person would. Just a very big, strong, agile, skilled, force-using person.
Great, now I'm going to be stuck in a TV Tropes rabbit hole all night. But that's a cool design. How does it actually handle? I don't know if you could cut down Initiate V2s enough or not. I don't even honestly know the minimum length to house all the internals and still have some area for threads for a pommel. A hollow coupler would perhaps save a tiny bit of length to be saved, as you're not "giving up" any internal space for the coupler, since internals could fit inside of it as well.

These parts are all for my gauntlet, so I can't commit to making this a permanent build, but from some light practice, it works surprisingly well.  When holding it by the upper hilt as one would a normal lightsaber, the downward-facing blade naturally rests further out.  This gives it a slight speed advantage over a normal saberstaff when it comes to blocking low attacks.

Exactly, the initial idea was posed as a "can I manage this, as a technique?" basically. Since the OP had successfully implemented a similar style without lightsabers. And as those great videos Sir found illustrate, similar weapon styles exist without lightsabers involved. So really we're just seeking to further adapt or build upon those principles as a basis for a style of lightsaber combat. I agree wholly with SirLiftaLot's assertion, it's doing it because it can be done. Pursuing something that will confuse, confound, and possibly overwhelm opponents. Giving them something they haven't trained for, and options they are therefore unprepared to face.

In the history of combat, new innovations or adaptations are often odd or confusing at first glance. Someone trained in single sword probably looked confusedly at the first person they saw wielding two simultaneously. But the distinct advantages make it worth it if used properly.


I trust Charlax's experience and assertion. From stamina and mobility standpoints this makes sense. Also as stated I like this, for reasons I first signed on to the idea and had considered it previously myself. I'd rather have more offensive options available than less. You can't transform a pike or spear into a double blade mid combat, and it takes having to worry as much about/reorienting the dangerous end as needed less of an issue. From a Sith perspective in combat, having more damage dealing potential is worth added risks or extra training. Let alone the shock and awe effect of "this is intense, never seen someone do something like that before" if you become rather proficient. It's part intimidation, part hyper offensive options, and really just fundamentally cool. In MA sometimes the less practical weapons seemingly or exotic setups are just amazingly fun to use. The challenge in part being it's own reward, or the process we're collaborating in to design viable weapons types. One could argue it is unnecessary fundamentally to make a plasma blade to use for combat, and inherently dangerous, why not just stick with swords or sticks. It's just a terribly good time, that's my reasoning more often than not, and agreeing that Overkill is favorable more often than not. I suppose I simply want to be hyper offensive one day with an off hand saber staff. It just is a concept that calls to my inner warrior, and the call is irresistible. If you want, call it the call of the Dark Side.


@ TheCharlax  P.S. That is a very cool setup to address the design ideas and issues that had been floated around earlier in topic, I think it just looks wicked too. I could see several advantages from that type of setup already. As you said, that bottom blade (in the way you held it) wound up being further forward. So blocking with the top blade leaves it closer to your opponent. Meaning that if you kept it outside, and sidestep that direction while simultaneously rotating it in you're way past your opponent's guard and weapon already. It'd conceivably (similar to the curve of a curved lightsaber) throw off what someone trained to fight a saberstaff might expect just enough to land some serious blows. I like it, might have to ask exactly how it was done if I want to mess around with a variant.

I personally think that two single sabers, one in each hand is more my speed. Especially since mine are 32" inches long.

Thank you very much!  If you want to try it, I cut a ring of vinyl tubing with a 1.25 inch inner-diameter.  It slides snugly over the pommel end of an Initiate v2, and also fits snugly into the 1.5 inch opening of a PVC Tee-shape coupler.  Once the coupler is attached, I add an additional vinyl ring of the same size to lock it in place, and then repeat the process on a second Initiate before joining them via a piece of PVC.  

Naturally, gluing all of it together would make it secure for hard-core dueling, but for just practicing and getting a feel, I think the vinyl and PVC hold together surprisingly well.  Hope that helps ^_^

(https://i.imgur.com/KJ5ggRm.jpg)

Very cool. Could you glue some spare pommels into the "holder" and then screw the sabers into place for a duel-ready setup?

Awesome! Thanks for sharing the info! It's appreciated and I very likely will cobble something together in the future for fun. I'm sure I'll make some purchases with some Free Initiates eventually that I might be able to work with or possibly a specific order because I love the "older model" initiates in appearance anyway. Now that I know there is a V2 coupler for saberstaff creation as well... It's on the agenda eventually, this makes for a more options to work with. I love so heavily exotic looking or functioning weaponry across the board, but lightsabers just have that extra WOW factor.


I like this idea, I'm not sure how they screw together since I don't own a V2 but possibly? If so I see the utility in doing what you're saying: then they are very firmly joined together and even though the Z or S shaped coupler is more permanent/solid you can still remove the majority of your hilt/lightsaber for single use or a traditional saberstaff. 4 unique weapons setups with 2 different couplers, and all for the price of some additional pommels and some PVC. So possibly less than $50-60 ballpark depending on what you already have on hand.

Anyway, it'll be cool to see your true project upon completion eventually. This is just stupid amounts of fun more often than not.

You're welcome!  Like you, I also enjoy a bit of unorthodox in my arsenal, and although it isn't really touted as such, I think the affordability and design of the Initiate v2s really lend to their potential for personalization!


In all honesty, I do not know simply because I do not have any spare pommels to try it with.  If I am correctly understanding what you are suggesting, I think Galef may have tried something similar when building a tonfa for his kid, and he may be able to give a more informed opinion.

I think I'll stick with two blades. Easier to control. And less oppurtunity to stab yourself with your own weapon.

Only if the user is being overly reliant on offense, in which case they have bigger problems to worry about, lol.

As we've already established however, the saberstaff has a greater emphasis on defense.  Because of its tactical similarity to a sword & shield combination, it is easier to use and more effective than wielding two normal lightsabers.

Hmmm yes. That's right. While I like to be a offensive fighter I understand the importance of defense.

dual saber is pretty bad weapon for defense in the set up you described, due to huge hilt and hand available for snipping, all I need is always go for that hand and double hilt to get points

I don’t understand why hitting the hilt of a staff/pike should count as a point in all honestly. In the real world, a solid wood staff can block a sword strike, just as a lightsaber resistant hilt/spear can block a lightsaber strike. Having a saber-pike/spear made of non-saber resistant material would be silly though, I’ll give you that much.

staff/pike with a steel blade - agree, but our case is different:
- sci fi argument - I believe there were cases where saber was cut in half by another saber, there was no lightsaber resistant material in original movies (quote - In The Last Jedi, during Rey and Kylo Ren's confrontation in Snoke's throne room, Luke's original lightsaber was split in half)
- real world argument - ASL-FFE rules clearly support sci fi version and honor hit to the hilt with 1 point

Even with friendly sparring with custom rules - hand is still there, you can't defend it while using it as defensive "shield" for your body on double-saber hilt