Over the years an active community of Star War fans aimed to recreate the perfect light saber. What started out as a recreation of the movie prop, grow into a real form of art thanks to new technologies (led, 3d printing, …). It evolved from recreating the look of a light saber to including light and sound effects. These are some of the finest and most expensive light sabers.



Original movie prop

John Stears created the original film prop hilts with different pieces of hardware, including parts from an old Graflex press camera flash. Being low budget and with limited post production possibilities the glowing effect was created by covering the blade with retroreflector array and positioning a lamp to the side of the taking camera. This made the sword appear to glow. Some post production resulted in the final epic light saber battles. Read more on Wikipedia

Evolution

Over the years hobbyist aimed to recreate the original hilts, even resulting in a price upsurge for old Graflex camera’s. Mostly these were bladeless hilts looking pretty in a display case. Thanks to new technologies, like led, 3d printing, reactive sound boards, the light sabers have evolved to near screen-accurate master pieces including light-up blade and interactive effects. Even the famous crystal chamber (the real heart of a Light Saber) is exposed in the near-perfect replica’s of today. This article on Verge is a nice piece on the evolution.

Etsy

The maker platform for craftsmanship sells some fine examples of full option working light sabers

MKSabers builds custom light sabers based on your own specifications (color range, soundboards, movie, type of crystal, …)

Incredibly detailed and with high quality materials.

Etsy lists one preconfigured at $1,200 as placeholder for a commission build

Ahsoka Tano (Star Wars Rebels) Lightsaber Set at $ 1,700 from RedDragonSabers

Both have Darth Ryo chassis

Both have RGB crystals (crystal reveal)

Ebay

Master replicas

Master replicas (also known as MR) produced high end movie prop replicas including Star Wars light sabers called Force FX. Production of the light sabers stopped, so eBay lists some high priced ones, especially the signature collection.

With prices ranging around $3000 for a most expensive light sabers, also some prototypes are for sale as well.

See Master replicas listed on eBay

Solos Hold

Solos hold makes customized light sabers including sound effects.

Like this RGB Spec Prizmv 5 Luke Obiwan, listed on eBay for $2,000

Base: Prizm v 5 soundboard by plecter labs.

Chassis: G.O.T.H 3D designs padawan chassis.

Battery: 16650 3.7v li cell.

LED: Tri cree xpe 2 led RGrB

Switch: White illuminated 12 mm switch.

Speaker: 28 mm veco bass speaker.

Charging method: 2.1 mm recharge port.

check it out on eBay

FX Sabers

FX sabers was an online forum for modded custom light sabers.

Mike Murphy made his first steps on the site and eventually took it over.

He has created some real masterpieces himself, by building each lightsaber from scratch, using vintage materials that aren’t cheap.

They are branded FX Sabers

Read more about him

His most expensive light saber was sold for $15,000 on eBay.

see this listing on Ebay

Real Movie prop

Luke Skywalker’s Episode IV lightsaber ($240,000)

Lightsabers are the iconic props connected with Star Wars, and Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber is perhaps the most memorable of the lot. The lightsaber, sold from the collection of movie producer Gary Kurtz in 2008, gained bids up to $240,000. No images found.