Double-bladed lightsabers are rare and deadly lightsaber variants in theStar Warsfranchise, with numerous Jedi and Sith using them in both the originalLegends and modern canonStar Warscontinuities. The iconic standard lightsaber is the ancient signature weapon of the Jedi, and while their ancient enemies – the Sith – are a separate faction, the first Sith Lords were former Jedi who fell to the dark side. The Sith have their own distinct culture from the Jedi and, fittingly, use their own lightsabers, which typically use red blades.
There are many differentlightsaber types, ranging from the curved lightsaber used by Count Dooku to the lightwhip, recently brought into live-action inThe Acolyte.The double-bladed lightsaber (also known as a saberstaff) is simply a lightsaber that produces blades from both ends.These weapons are used by a multitude of Jedi and Sith in both the canon and Legends timelines.
Different types of double-bladed lightsaber
Standard double-bladed lightsaber
A simple double-bladed lightsaber, like the one used by Darth Maul inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Splitsaber
A double-bladed lightsaber with a hilt that can be pulled apart, turning it into two blades
Switchblade
A double-bladed lightsaber with a hinge, meaning the two blades can be held parallel - like the one used by Dark Rey inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Inquisitors' lightsaber
An unusual variant of the double-bladed lightsaber, which can even be used as a sort of helicopter blade
31Darth Maul
Canon & Legends
The most famous user of adouble-bladed lightsaber is Darth Maul, who gave the weapon its live-action debut in 1999’sStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.The Legends continuity revealed the origin of Maul’s weapon during his ascension to Sith Lordship; he came across ancient records of the Sith, and was inspired to follow their design.
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The modern canon –which saw Maul survive his bisection– would arm him with a new saberstaff which could be disguised as a cane, as seen inStar Wars Rebels.
30Exar Kun
Legends
Exar Kun is an ancient Sith Lord who debuted in Legends-exclusive comics.Kun is the earliest known user of the double-bladed lightsaber in theStar Warsfranchise, having constructed his weapon using an ancient Sith design. Kun’s weapon is atypical, with a standard-length hilt and two blue blades instead of the traditional Sith red. Exar Kun – and his saberstaff – exist in the modern canon as well, with few known details about him.
29Satele Shan
Introduced inStar Wars: The Old Republic, Jedi Grandmaster Satele Shan is shown using five different lightsabers throughout her appearances in theStar WarsLegends continuity.
While Shan is primarily a saberstaff user, she has been known to use a standard lightsaber and a single-bladed sparring lightsaber.
Four of the five weapons are double-bladed lightsabers, and two of the four were destroyed in combat with the Sith.While Shan is primarily a saberstaff user, she has been known to use a standard lightsaber and a single-bladed sparring lightsaber.
28Bastila Shan
Bastila Shanis a Jedi Master, a main character inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and an ancestor of Jedi Grandmaster Satele Shan. Like Darth Maul,Bastila Shan initially used a standard single-bladed lightsaber but eventually modified the weapon into a saberstaff. During her brief turn to the dark side, Shan switched her weapon’s yellow lightsaber crystals for red ones but restored the weapon’s original gems upon purging herself of the dark side’s corruption.
27Komari Vosa
Once the padawan of Count Dooku, Komari Vosa fell to the dark side after being captured and tortured by the cult known as the Bando Gora. After her mind snapped, Vosa became the new leader of the Bando Gora and used a pair of curved-hilt lightsabers with red blades. While Vosa is never shown using this feature,the lightsabers could be connected at the pommels, turning them into a saberstaff.
26Asajj Ventress
Asajj Ventressappears in both the original Legends continuity and the modern canon, with each timeline giving her a different background and history. One thing that both iterations have in common, however, is that she uses two red-bladed lightsabers; in Legends, they once belonged to Komari Vosa. Unlike Vosa,Ventress is occasionally shown using her two lightsabers as a double-bladed lightsaber.
25Jaro Tapal
Canon
Jedi Master Jaro Tapal’s lightsaber is a blue-bladed saberstaff, as shown in the modern canon’sJedi: Fallen Order.DuringOrder 66, Tapal’s weapon would be blasted in half by a high-powered blaster bolt. Cal Kestis would carry the bisected weapon for years and eventually repair its other half, restoring it to a double-bladed lightsaber.
24Cal Kestis
Even after Cal Kestis repaired his master’s weapon, it would later be destroyed again, forcing Kal to travel to Ilum to find a new Kyber crystal. Kal not only bonded with one gem, turning it blue, but he also constructed a new lightsaber, combining pieces of Jaro Tapal’s weapon with that of Cere Junda’s. As shown in bothJedi: Fallen OrderandJedi: Survivor, Cal Kestis’s new weapon was highly customizable, and could function as a saberstaff or other lightsaber variants.
23Pong Krell
The traitorous and loathsome Jedi Master Pong Krell was a short-lived yet impactful antagonist in the modern canon’sStar Wars: The Clone Wars.Taking advantage of his size, strength, and four arms, Krell wielded two hinged double-bladed lightsabers with lethal skill. Tragically, he would most famously use his weapons to murder clone troopers during the Battle of Umbara.
22Imperial Inquisitors
WhileImperial Inquisitorsexist in both the Legends and modern canon timelines, the latter continuity gives them a far more prominent role, along with more uniform armor and weapons.The standard weapon of the modern canon’s Imperial Inquisitors are distinctive red-bladed double-sided lightsabers, whose blades can spin. While not the most practical feature, the spinning blades gave Inquisitors a highly intimidating presence.
