Since the 1990s, double-bladed lightsabers have been part of the Star Wars franchise, dazzling viewers and readers across various mediums. The double-bladed lightsaber, also known as a saberstaff, has a fascinating in-universe history and is the weapon of choice of several notable Star Wars characters in its two continuities: canon and Legends. Some double-bladed lightsabers have a particularly notable impact on the Star Wars franchise in-universe and pop culture writ large, however.
As established by Legends-era lore, the double-bladed lightsaber was invented by the Sith Order as a more aggressive and intimidating variant of the Jedi lightsaber. Just as the Sith co-opted the single-bladed lightsaber (powering theirs with dark side-corrupted crystals), Jedi soon built their own saberstaffs, replacing red Sith gems with Jedi lightsaber crystals. After making their live-action debut in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, double-bladed lightsabers gained a more prominent role throughout Star Wars canon and Legends material. Here are the 11 best saberstaffs in the franchise.
