Custom or Replica?

[nassik]

Here is an interesting topic... I wonder which type of lightsaber hilt is more popular, a custom design or a prop replica.
For the sake of Star Wars believability a custom design is more fitting. After all, no two lightsabers were exactly the same between Jedi. The lightsabers of Masters and Padawans may have had similarities but they were not identical. The only exception that I can imagine to this would be the training lightsabers of younglings, whose powered-down ligtsabers were, most likely, semi-mass produced for use by the Jedi Temple.
A prop replica has its place because it is more recognizable and easier to come by. This is particularly useful when a Jedi costumer is specificly replicating an existing character.
In this light it seems as if circumstance is the primary factor in determining which type of lightsaber is most appropriate. There is overlap, though. After all, there are numerous Jedi costumers with unique garb that use replica sabers. And thus the question remains... which type of lightsaber hilt is more popular, a custom design or a prop replica?

[Jeffrek]

Yes ideally we would all have our own custom sabre. Unfortunately not everyone has the time/tools to make their own or the funds to have one made for them so of course they end up with one of the more common replicas.

Oh and several jedi in the films ended up with identical sabre designs. Wether down to poor continuity or just what was around at the time. So its not something to be worried about too much.
Unless of course you are trying to do a specific character, then you should have the proper sabre as its part of the costume you are trying to do.

Personally I love custom sabres which is why I have a few and will end up making more as time goes by.

[Olos Nay]

I myself have both.

Making a very good replica saber is a good challenge. I have a vintage graflex gun converted to Luke EPIV saber. One of my most precious piece of collection.
On another hand, I love the customized look of my own saber. IT compares nicely to the MRFX sabers and is very unique. I never do any outtings without people asking about it, even if there's a lot of MRFX sabers out there... and most of the time I have the only custom saber.

But I do agree, not everyone can achieve one or afford to have one made... so I guess the most common is the MRFX replica style among collectors and costumers.

[Starkindler (The Naked Jedi)]

I have a custom saber that I designed and had RandomSabers machine for me (since I do not own a lathe). I have built two hardware sabers and plan on building a few more as well as an LED hilt for myself....all will be custom (though likely influenced by one or other of the movie sabers).

I would love to own a replice Windu, Luke ANH, and Obi1 ANH, but funds are easier to come by in smaller amounts and building a custom can be done that way (in bits and pieces).....

As far as costuming: since I am assembling my own costume I would only use a custom saber with it.

[Ky-Wan Zann]

I started out with soem custom sabers and then was fortuante to get a nice Obi-Wan TPM replica for a x-mas gift. I also have a aprks saber. I love both but lately have found wanting to have a custom professionally made hilt.

All depends on the prefernce

[Larwi B'nu]

I'm going w/ a replica. I saw the myriad custom sabers out there on randomsabers.com, and, boy, they do look good, no doubt, but the way they make it sound, I would have to come up w/ my own design for them to build. I think it would be easier for just to pick from the 50 quazillion sabers they have already made and have them re-create it, but, then, it might not be fair to the original customer.
I'm looking @ a Mace Windu replica for my costume from ultrasabers.com.

[Leda EmBorr]

That's a tough one! Myself, I have both. But if I could only have one or the other, I would say I'd choose a replica, just because there's just something ultra-special about having a replica prop from a movie. It's the collector in me, maybe.

I have an on-going project--- a custom saber, made from found parts. I just have to find all the parts!

[Seda Navilli]

I have pretty much exclusively replica sabers. Its the design of those props that made me fall in love with lightsabers, and its replicas that I get the most joy out of owning.

[nassik]

I've never owned a replica saber. I did have a custom for a while, though. My fantasy was always to be a Jedi, not a Jedi clone, and so replica sabers never appealed to me. I have studied the actual lightsabers from the films and even a wide variety of custom lightsabers. It is all of those elements fused together that helped me to create the design for the custom I'm having built.
The lens assembly of the Episode IV Obi-Wan Kenobi ligtsaber, the emitter shroud of Vader's lightsaber, the foregrip of Dooku's, etc... there are undoubted elements of the film lightsabers that capture my attention and inspire my imagination. If I so desired those exact parts of a lightsaber I would end up owning a broad and expansive collection of replica lightsabers (and I would half-magine that I must have killed a number of prominent Jedi to garner such a collection). That's an unsettling thought.
Owning a custom lightsaber is a way in which to complete a truly unique custom Jedi character. This includes custom robes, belt, etc... Part of the fantasy is to dress as a Jedi and to be that character, if only for a while. In owning a replica lightsaber I would feel a sort of compulsion to complete that character as well, wearing the appropriate robes and such. And while it would be quite a feat to own a wardrobe filled with complete Jedi character ensembles I know that I have neither the funds or the inclination to attempt such an endeavor.
Instead, I am both pleased and content to own a custom ligtsaber, or two, and to play out a character of my own imagination.

[Ma'Kata So-gan]

Interesting topic. I started with a replica of Obi-wan, Ep III-IV. Looks cool. I'm having a custom saber machined for those occassions I want something a tad different. Plus it looks funny when I show up in costume at an event with the replica saber and there is another Jedi in costume with the same model. The kids notice.

[nassik]

And here you have made my point! Thank you. The greatest drawback to replica sabers is the fact that there are multiple copies out there and people notice the fact that different jedi costumers are wearing identical sabers.
And while the sabers are undoubtedly beautiful, they are the same. People truly notice custom sabers and are drawn towards them. Perhaps it's a product of our society, but people value individuality and uniqueness. For that reason custom sabers really stand out.
Even if your robes are Episode II Obi-Wan Kenobi inspired the average person, non-hardcore Star Wars fanatic, probably won't register the similarities. They will recognize the Jedi character, though. With the Jedi wardrobe being a bit uniform the lightsaber is the one truly distinguishing trait of the Jedi.
The weapon has captured the imagination of thousands of people and everyone, both fans and the average Joe, notices the lightsaber. A replica is very cool, but it's been seen countless times before. As a saber enthusiast I'm not complaining, of course. After thirty years of Star Wars people recognize the lightsaber, no matter what form or style it may be presented in. And because people recognize the lightsaber they are willing to see new interpretations on its design and they may even expect it. After all, how many Jedi were running around in the Prequel Trilogy bearing Episode VI Luke Skywalker lightsabers? And why didn't Luke find an Episode I Obi Wan Kenobi lightsaber?
These things didn't happen because each Jedi had a unique lightsaber. And thus it is simply logical that we, as Jedi costumers, adopt a similar policy and wear custom sabers of our own. Replica sabers are wonderful additions to a collection of sabers and they work well if a costumer has an exact replication of a Jedi character. For the most part, though, the public would like to see more custom sabers among our ranks.
For those interested, here is a picture of the custom lightsaber that I currently own...



I am having my own design built by the same artisan who crafted this saber. Until my design is complete this is the saber that I wear on my belt. As you can see, Advanced Light Weaponry does astonishing work.

[Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi]

i wo wanna find a custom sabre sight that can machine curved hilts like the dooku one in level of similarity. i would love to make my own custom curveds but the problem is that noone can do it as well as i would want.

[tailonkae]

hey monkey try randomsabers.com

[Ldi-Ovef Te_Azi]

im actually asking ultrasabers and see what they can do and if they cannot do what i want then ill go to random and tell him to set up the hilt so that i can have a luxeon led and blade from ultrasabers.

[Xorren Hedrasii]

Every now and again Rob over at www.rlsasabers.com will do customs if you ask really nice. Cheaper, Better Quality, and Quicker than Random.