"Is that a *real* lightsaber?"

[Kryy Jacobi]

So.... how do you answer that question?

Or rather ... how do you answer that question?

At the end of June, I spent 3 days trooping at the WSMI opening in Huntsville and was asked that question umpteen times.... kids mostly (obviously) but surprisingly, others as well.

Our Obi-Wan said he was carrying a "training saber".

A mischievous poster on TCSS suggested this:

Easy.

1) If it doesn't have a blade in, say yes and point it at them. Watch them cower as you ignite it.
_{[Kryy's disclaimer.... don't point an LED at someone's eyes...]}

2) If it DOES have a blade, say that it's to keep people safe from the intense energy WITHOUT the 'sheath' on. But say it gets hot.

Then touch them with it.. watch them flinch

forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?t=11032&page=3 (You can see my new saber there, BTW. ;D)

So, other than talking geek with someone who really wants to know more about our little addiction... I mean hobby....

What do you say to a child or a fan you encounter at a troop?

(And remember, C-V is 5 weeks away, so these ideas may come in handy! LOL)

[Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar]

I usually just say that the Jedi Council says we are not to use it on such a primitive planet as Earth (that usually gets a smile) OR that it does not work on Earth because of the atmosphere (which gets me a strange look)

[Olos Nay]

I don't hear that question often. I guess we have more collectors around here, people ask about the model of my master replicas... I go about how I built it myself. lol.

[Orion Knight-Star]

I usually tell children that I have removed the crystal so that no one will get hurt, when I show it to people.

[Ky-Wan Zann]

Depends, if it's just the hilt I say that the Council forbids that I turn it on unless needed. If it's a MR or my Torrent saber I say that I had a special tube that a sber can't cut through put over the blade so it's safe and if it's older kids they just ask where I got it made and such

[acalsohei]

MNForce Jedi usually say that we carry training sabers, since "real" ones might be too dangerous in a large crowd. If I get a bit of extra interaction time with a youngling, I'll ask them if they think it is real. Then I tell them it's a training saber, and I ask them if they think the blade is hot or cold, then I let them hold the blade to find out. I bet the "real" Jedi would have to deal with the same question from time to time!

[JediKai]

I get that question all the time, from both children and adults.

With adults I'm tempted to give them a look and say, "what do YOU think?". However, there can be other meanings to the question. They might mean real vs cheap toy. I usually answer with, yes and I made it myself (if it IS one I made). That usually gets the adults interested. Or I say yes, in that it is not a toy but a finely crafted prop.

I've not found a good answer for small children. I really don't want to say "yes" and lead them on. On the other hand, I feel I could enter into their fantasy world and play into the idea of a real lightsaber. On that account, then I say something like "yes, but it can only be used in defense". That's true, eh? Part of the Jedi code.

[Kryy Jacobi]

So apparently this is a pretty common question!! LOL

Yes, I'm pretty flabbergasted by adults, when it's obvious it's not the toy vs. prop question.

Otherwise, I'll talk to them about the saber and how it's made. We sounded like a bunch of nerds in Huntsville, I have a so-and-so running a 3 w Lux so-and-so with a so-and-so sound card and powered by this kind of battery. It was kind of funny.

And we can always wave our hand and say, "Of course this is a real lightsaber".

And with the kids, you're right... it depends. I had a little girl ask me once if Star Wars was real.... she was kind of scared/overwhelmed by all of the big guys in buckets. So I said, "no honey, it's pretend, and we came today to pretend with you and help with this ___(charity event)___."

Thanks everyone... these are all excellent and creative answers! Any more??

_{Mercy, I just hit my 1200th post...}

[Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar]

OT to Kryy: Welcome to the dark side of TJA

[Kryy Jacobi]

OT?

Original Trilogy? Old Testament?

Sorry, some of us *old* Jedi aren't "with it".... LOL

[Olos Nay]

Aug 1, 2010 18:51:02 GMT -5 Kryy Jacobi said:

OT?

Original Trilogy? Old Testament?

Aren't they both the same?

[Kryy Jacobi]

No!

(but I understand to some people they are.... just not me.

[JediKai]

"Yes, I'm pretty flabbergasted by adults, when it's obvious it's not the toy vs. prop question." Yes. I want to ask them whether they actually know whether lasers of this power and functionality exist. NO they don't!


"And we can always wave our hand and say, "Of course this is a real lightsaber"" I LIKE that answer. It's just the right amount of facetious. That's going to be my answer to adults from now on!

[Nova Darklighter]

If it's a prop I will say that I removed the power crystal for safety, and with the FX I have also used the training sabre line, if it's a photo op thing, I'll usually let the child hold it for the pic, they usually get a huge kick out of powering up and down. So do the adults for that matter!
My answer to an adult varies depending on whether there are young present, or what they're really asking.

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

I usually tell people that the insurance company won't covery me turning on my lightsaber if they ask.