Editing New Jedi Order (section)

==='''Lightsaber construction'''===

''"Dual-phase blades seem to be something of a fad among Jedi at certain points."''<br />'''―Luke Skywalker'''

The construction of lightsabers in the new Order differed from that of the old in many ways. Luke Skywalker discovered records in Obi-Wan Kenobi's hut on Tatooine on how to construct lightsabers that he used himself, and would later introduce to his students. Some other techniques were also recovered by the Jedi, sometimes in less than desirable ways. The malevolent spirit of Exar Kun guided Gantoris in making a dual-phase lightsaber, capable of extending dramatically in length when secondary crystals aligned. Skywalker discovered this, almost at the cost of his life, when the rogue student challenged him to a lightsaber duel. Corran Horn constructed a similar lightsaber independently, using a process obtained from his (step)-grandfather, Rostek Horn. Occasionally, exceptional students, such as Jaden Korr, were able to construct lightsabers on their own, without formal instruction. Luke Skywalker also constructed a shorter lightsaber, known as a shoto, to fight Lumiya during the Nagai-Tof War. This was designed to counteract the dual nature of her weapon, known as a lightwhip. Skywalker kept this weapon for many years, and taught other Jedi Masters, such as his wife Mara, how to construct them.

One problem faced by the new Jedi Order was a shortage of high quality crystals, such as was available to the old Jedi Order. Sacred sites such as Ilum or the Adega system were lost to the Jedi and so other sources had to be sought out, with accompanying danger. Imperial Advisor Bregius Golthan once tried to lure Skywalker into a trap on the planet Canyon, claiming a source of adequate crystals had been found. However, Luke sent NRI agents in his stead, who managed to escape the trap. On another occasion, Skywalker traveled to the planet Halm to recover some adegan crystals from its famous mines. There, he was forced to fight off Imperial opposition who were also after the crystals. The lack of a single substantial source of lightsaber crystals resulted in a greater variety types used, and consequently, greater blade coloration. Some of the unusual sources included a shard of the Kaiburr crystal used in Luke Skywalker's saber, a jewel from a Hapan crown in Tenel Ka's saber, Corusca gems from the gas giant Yavin used in those of Gantoris and Jacen Solo, and a synthetically manufactured crystal used in Jaina Solo's saber—making use of a process once considered to be a Sith technique.

Furthermore, Jedi were encouraged to make their handles more personal, reflecting both their personalities and their upbringing. Examples of this included Cilghal's, which was silvery and smooth, with subtle indentations common among Mon Calamari technology, Tionne's, that used a spiral mist-horn, and that of Tenel Ka, which was fashioned from a rancor tooth. An odd example of this diversity was Corran Horn's first saber, constructed in haste from the throttle of a speeder bike.