Warning. Beware. Danger!

[ApolloSZ]

Jester - Basically you can duel with them at full speed, and not have them break/shatter/snap on first impact. Or hit other objects. As in, my SCA group has a couple and we use them for a little bit of fun.
I'd equate them to Shenii (Bamboo swords used in Kendo). If you go to the site Amanita linked you'll see what they look like.

[Jester]

I went to the site. It looks like a light saber hilt that emits light, with a detachable metal pole that goes in to the light emitter. Would that about sum it up?

And while I know they are nowhere near the technology for a light saber as depicted in the Star Wars movies, I wonder when they're going to come out with one that at least gives the illusion of one, i.e., a hilt that emits light in the same shape as the saber, giving the illusion of the saber, even if not the ability to hit anything with it.

By contrast, the sabers on the site linked seemed to emit light that only really took shape with the detachable pole attached--and either way, only seemed to be visible as such in dark environments. I am hoping for one that will give the same illusion, but in any type of lighting. Is that too much too hope for?

[ApolloSZ]

The pole is a polycarbonate tube. They do show in light aswell as dark (but obviously more in dark), and you can get stronger 'blades' or ones that show the colours better instead.

I think for the ones your hoping for, the only option would be lasers. The beam would stay focused enough to keep the shape (regular light would scatter and fan too easily) the only problem would be getting the beam to stop/go invisible at a certain length.

[Mishi]

Basically you can duel with them at full speed, and not have them break/shatter/snap on first impact.

That's exactly why I'm looking at these for birthday/Christmas presents. The last ones we had were shattered in a matter of hours and Jazzy was only almost 3!

[Jester]

I think for the ones your hoping for, the only option would be lasers. The beam would stay focused enough to keep the shape (regular light would scatter and fan too easily) the only problem would be getting the beam to stop/go invisible at a certain length.

Which means that lasers are not, in fact, an option, as they are infinite and would just continue to go. Also, even if you had a laser that was thick enough to replicate the thickness of the light saber, it would not have the same shape. It would just a straight beam of light, without the roundness that the sabers have.

What I am hoping for has not yet been invented, but I would not be surprised if someone figured out a way to pull it off. If they did, think of the cool possibilities: compact saber hilt that you could store anywhere and hang from your belt, but when you turned it on, it actually looked light a light saber come to life. Also, you could "slice" right through another person, making reenactments and general goofiness very impressive. The down side, of course, would be that you couldn't actually fight another person with a saber.

But I think right now this illusion saber of mine is probably more feasible than anything approaching what the sabers are supposed to do in the movies. Don't ya think?

[ApolloSZ]

Also, even if you had a laser that was thick enough to replicate the thickness of the light saber, it would not have the same shape. It would just a straight beam of light, without the roundness that the sabers have.

You can 'shape' a laser beam almost anyway you want cross section wise.
So yes, you could have a solid cylinder, or probably even a cube if you so desired.

[Squeaksmyalias]

That's exactly why I'm looking at these for birthday/Christmas presents. The last ones we had were shattered in a matter of hours and Jazzy was only almost 3!

You are the coolest Mum EVER!
Word of warning, watch out for ceiling fans as they get taller..learn from my mistakes.

[Jester]

You can 'shape' a laser beam almost anyway you want cross section wise.
So yes, you could have a solid cylinder, or probably even a cube if you so desired.

Yes, you could shape them in the sense of how wide they are and what their shape is cross-sectionally, but you couldn't get the rounded shape of the Star Wars sabers in the sense that they seem to "curve" externally from the hilt to the end of the saber. Perhaps curve is not the right word....they seem thicker in the middle than on the end or at the hilt. They are not, in other words, a uniform thickness from one end to the other, as lasers would be.

Hope that makes sense.

[Mishi]

Thanks Squeaks! They'll probably be outside toys, mostly because of all the out of reach but very breakable items (ie. TV, some ornaments, low light fixtures and ceiling fans w/lights).

Speaking of which, how badly did you damage it?

[Amanita]

They make kid-sized sabers too- the initiate style. Although adults also like them as sidearms, and dual-wield weapons.

[Squeaksmyalias]

Well Mishi it was a good thing my parents were planning on replacing it anyway lets just put it that way....
My Dad still doesn't get how I could have hit it THAT hard and how the light saber was still in one piece and I remained uninjured.

[Mytical]

Jester, the only hope I see is Hologram technology. Since we are already capable of 3D, it may only be a matter of time before we get true hologram technology (if it doesn't already exist but is too cost prohibitive for now). As I experienced virtual reality more then 13 years ago (but the machine was bulky, etc) who knows what is coming around the bend.

PS the virtual reality machine cost $5 for 15 minutes of play..yeah that wouldn't go for the most part.

Anyhow, as soon as hologram technology is either cost effective or mass produced..we would be able to have non lethal light sabers (ie pass through without harm)

[Jester]

My Dad still doesn't get how I could have hit it THAT hard and how the light saber was still in one piece and I remained uninjured.

Answer: your Jedi trainging, of course!

Jester, the only hope I see is Hologram technology.

Anyhow, as soon as hologram technology is either cost effective or mass produced..we would be able to have non lethal light sabers (ie pass through without harm)

That actually makes a lot of sense. My only question there is whether a holographic image would be able to keep up with the movement of the saber. If it could be made to work like that, it would be awesome!

[Squeaksmyalias]

Answer: your Jedi trainging, of course!

I've always said that the only reason I'm still alive is because my Mom never knew how to do the force choke.

[Amanita]

Here's the one I just ordered this weekend:
http://www.ultrasabers.com/product_p/stunt-bane.htm
Scroll down a bit, or click on the tiny pics, I got the RGB version of this saber, with the massive 15" hilt. My moocher Jedi friend is gonna piss herself when I whip this out in a sparring match!