Summary
- The Darksaber's unusual design and color make it stand out from other lightsabers in Star Wars, and its origin dates back to the first Mandalorian Jedi, Tarre Vizsla.
- The Darksaber's unique blade is a result of lightsaber modifications, specifically the use of specialized lenses and emitters to produce a broad and flattened blade, which resembles traditional metal swords.
- While the broadsaber design explains the Darksaber's appearance, it doesn't clarify its heavier weight, which makes it difficult to wield.
The famed Darksaber of the Mandalorians has always stood out from other lightsabers in Star Wars because of its unusual design, and of course its color. First seen in the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series with Pre Vizsla, the Darksaber has a long legacy that stretches back all the way to the first Mandalorian Jedi, Tarre Vizsla. Ever since House Vizsla took the lightsaber from the Jedi Temple, the weapon has changed hands many times, with Mandalorians and non-Mandalorians earning the chance to wield it until its ultimate destruction in The Mandalorian season 3 finale.
Why the Darksaber differs so much from other lightsabers has always been a mystery. With a Mandalorian behind its crafting, it seemed reasonable that this cultural difference was the only explanation needed, especially given the blade's closer similarity to the flat blade of a sword that Mandalorians likely would have wielded in the ancient part of their history. As it turns out, there's another explanation for it, and it comes from deep Star Wars lore.
Your browser does not support the video tag. The Darksaber's Unusual Blade Is A Result Of Lightsaber Modifications Close The Star Wars: Forces and Destiny sourcebook Knights of Fate describes a type of lightsaber called a broadsaber, which matches up perfectly to the design of the Darksaber. It mentions this type of blade can only be created with custom modifications, such as "specialized focusing lenses and emitters," all of which help to emit the broad and flattened blade. This type of lightsaber was uncommon in the Jedi Order because they found it to be "less elegant" than the traditional cylindrical blade, which makes it only more perfect for a Mandalorian Jedi. Not only would it help them to stand out, but it also perfectly adopted Mandalorian culture into lightsaber fighting, creating a blade that resembled traditional metal swords as well as longer versions of their vibroblades.
