Lightsabers - Jedi Knight (All descriptions taken from Star Wars.com)
Above :Obi-Wan's lightsaber in Episode 1.
The lightsaber is a distinctive weapon known throughout the Republic as the traditional weapon of the Jedi Knight. Jedi always carry their own lightsabers, which they build themselves as part of their training. A weapon of unusual power and capabilities, the lightsaber can be more dangerous to a novice wielder than to an opponent, and only a highly trained individual can hope to survive with a lightsaber against an onslaught of blaster plasma bolts.
However, for the skilled Jedi, the lightsaber is an amazingly useful weapon which can deflect attacks back at an enemy even as its whirling blade both defends and threatens. The sight of an ignited lightsaber is often enough to end a conflict, since would-be gunmen know that they are likely to find their own deadly shots deflected right back at them.
Above: Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber in Episode 1.
Lightsabers - Sith Lord
Above: Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber in Episode 1.
The lightsaber is intimidating enough, but recent reports describe a variation of this weapon that seems truly formidable. The equivalent of two lightsabers end-to-end, this double-ended energy blade can cut through anything – twice. It can be selectively used like an ordinary lightsaber, with only one of the blades ignited, but with both blades activated it becomes an extraordinary weapon requiring extraordinary skill and training. Only the patience and concentration of one truly attuned to the Force can lead to the mastery of such a dangerous martial art.
If such a weapon is actually in the hands of a rumored Dark Lord of the Sith, then a real threat to the Light Side has emerged.