Vibroweapon Vibroweapons were a family of weapons that utilized high - speed sonic vibrations to make the weapons more deadly ; most commonly found on swords . Though this was the case , almost anything with a blade actually had the potential to be turned into a vibroweapon with the use of cortosis and a vibro - generator . Method of operation . Vibro - generators , most often found in the hilt or handle of the weapon , sent out high - frequency sonic pulses that could cause anything attached to the generator to be sent into an extremely quick vibration . When the vibroblade contacted something , notably organic tissue , the vibrations rippled across the material , destroying a giant portion of the victim ' s body and damaging the target more devastatingly than a blade without a generator . This caused even the slightest glancing blow to potentially become a gaping wound . When put up against heavier armor types , a vibroweapon could be upgraded with a focused vibrator cell in order to focus the stabbing point of the weapon and penetrate even through the strongest armors . Contraband status . As per the vibroweapon ' s devastating efficiency in crime and murder , it has a subsequent usage by many criminals . Due to this problem , vibroweapons were outlawed in almost all of the civilized systems , but they retained their presence in crime through the lesser - governed worlds . Some vibroweapons had a cortosis weave , therefore weakening its overall strength as an alloy , but giving it the capability to block lightsaber blows . Types of vibroweapons . Vibroblade . Vibroblades were usually ordinary blades or similar weapons that were fitted with a vibro - generator . They tended to be a smaller and lighter alternative to the larger , more powerful vibroswords and were at least 30 centimeters in length . Despite the clear disadvantage , some individuals preferred to use a vibroblade rather than a vibrosword because it allowed for more agility and cleaner strikes due to its slim form . Vibroblades are single bladed , and can therefore be dual - wielded . Vibrocutter . A vibrocutter was a type of spear that was normally used for carving asteroid rock , such as could be found at the Peragus Mining Facility . If needed , the vibrocutter was capable of doubling as a . It was believed that Meetra Surik used this type of weapon at the Skirmish at Peragus II . Vibro double - blade . The Vibro double - blade was a variation of the common vibroblade . This twin blade variation often used Echani cortosis - weave technology , and it was heavier , less precise , yet more powerful than its single - bladed cousin . Again , they were not as long as the sword version ( vibro double - swords ) , but were very effective in combat with the right training . Vibrosword . Vibroswords were larger and heavier versions of vibroblades which therefore allowed more powerful strikes at the cost of often requiring two hands to wield . Those who look to brute force instead of elegance tended to favor the vibroswords , and although they could be wielded in dual forms , it was very difficult to balance them out and make attacks effective due to their size and weight . Many people using vibroswords in the dual form used a vibroblade in the off - hand . This allowed them to make quick counterattacks , parries , or glance blows before coming in for the kill / disabling maneuver with the heavier vibrosword . It could cut someone in half with ease . Vibrorapier . A vibrorapier was a type of melee weapon , similar in principle to a vibroblade , but with a longer and thinner blade . It was well - balanced and completely silent due to a special design that diminished the ultrasonic pitch the other vibroweapons had . Many professional fighters considered it an excellent weapon and preferred it over standard vibroblade or blaster for its stealth . Reddjak was known to have wielded one such weapon . A notable model was the LaserHone Duelist vibrorapier . Vibro double - sword . Like the Vibro double - blade was a variation on the more common Vibroblade , the vibro double - sword was a variation on its more common cousin , the vibrosword . They were difficult weapons to wield due to their sheer bulk , but with the right training one could overcome the obstacles it presents and make it a truly deadly weapon . They were more heavy duty weapons than the vibro double - blades , required greater strength , but delivered more powerful strikes . On the other hand , they greatly reduce agility , forcing the wielder to focus almost entirely on the movement of their blade for defense ; as opposed to dodging strikes . Jagged vibroblade . The Jagged vibroblade was a variation on the standard vibroblade , but it worked on the same principles . The only difference was that it had a jagged / serrated edge to it , therefore resulting in a less clean cut . The jagged lines may also be found on the flat side of the blade ; again , to cause more damage when it rips through flesh . Jan Dodonna once handed one of these weapons to a new Rebel Alliance recruit . Vibrodagger . Vibrodaggers were blades equipped with focused vibro cells used by Phase I dark troopers of the Galactic Empire . They paralyzed and eventually killed the victims of the dark trooper . Vibro - shiv . vibroshiv is a small family of knives approximately 5 centimeters long that is similar to a switchblade , but with a mounted vibrogenerator in the hilt allowing it to vibrate at a tremendous rate , while an enhanged focused vibro cell gave the weapon ' s tip cutting power on par with a lightsaber . Kiro Celsius was known to employ a switchblade version of this weapon . The vibration of such weapons was so fast that even a slight touch could produce a large gash , while a slash could sever a limb . A non - vibration blade of comparable size was nowhere near as deadly . Vibroshivs were commonly used in a Jar ' Kai stance as an offhand weapon . Typical vibro - shiv weapons included knives and daggers , the most common ; vibroknuckler s , which were basically like knuckledusters except with a blade ; and vibro - scalpels and - lancets , which were more commonly used on operating tables . Vibroknife . A vibroknife , or vibro - knife , was a blade that used an internal generator to make the blade vibrate . These vibrations could make even a glancing blow , into a huge gruesome slash , thus making it a far more effective weapon in close combat , or as a tool . These small weapons were openly used by all denizens of the Galactic Republic , from clone commandos to regular citizens . Vibroknuckler . A vibroknuckler was a weapon that a person would wear on their fists , giving extra power to the wielder ' s punches . The weapon had four mini vibro - blades on the front , which gave it extra piercing and slashing power . The wielder could activate the weapon with the squeeze of a fist , for easy concealment . Many mercenaries and pirates used this weapon as a last resort in a hard battle . They presumably were similar to buzz - knuck s . Knuckle plate vibro blade . The knuckle plate vibro blade or vibroknuckler was a retractable weapon that was inside a clone commando ' s armor glove that could be ejected from the gauntlet to be used in melee combat . The weapon was extremely lethal at close range . They were also used by mercenaries and smugglers as a minor defense against police or other enemies . An example of a set of users would be Jabba the Hutt ' s guards , and skiff drivers , because they can ' t afford any other type of weaponry . It was often used against B - 1 battle droids , Geonosians and Trandoshan slavers . This weapon was a Clone Commandos only form of melee defense and was not large enough to be used against a lightsaber or a full sized vibrosword . Vibrostaff . Vibrostaves were one of the deadliest types of vibroweapon ; this melee weapon featured a long staff , with a rounded hilt roughly three feet long that contained a vibrogenerator . The hilt also contained one 2 . 5 foot long blade , sharpened to a razor ' s edge , that could be activated instantly . The blades ' cortosis weaves allowed it to parry the blows of lightsabers , energy sword s , or blaster bolts . The efficiency and combat - effectiveness of vibrostaves came from their double - bladed approach ; with skill , the wielder could create a whirlwind of motion where he utilized the spinning stave to seriously injure and eviscerate opponents . Also , with great skill , two vibrostaves could be wielded , one in each hand ; this effectively gave four blades to attack with , but left him more open to attack . Double - bladed vibrostaves were the predominant weapon of choice for Royal Guard trainees . Taking an idea from his deceased apprentice , Darth Maul , the Emperor had double - bladed vibrostaves crafted to equip his newly formed corps of Imperial Guards . Palpatine employed one of the greatest melee weapons designers in the galaxy , Kolvo Weapons Manufacturing , to produce a limited number of these weapons . Once the order was completed , the manufacturing facilities were the subject of an assault by TIE / sa bombers , effectively destroying all blueprints and machinery capable of producing these unique weapons . A Royal Guardsman trained in the martial art of the Echani could wield these durable , lightweight weapons almost like a third limb in combat ( an excellent example being Kir Kanos ) ; although when they were officially guarding something , they used their usual Force pike . Vibrowhip . Vibrowhips were whips , as the name suggested , powered by a vibro generator motor . The Black Sun Vigo Lord Xist was the only known master of the vibrowhip fighting method , although there is some debate as to whether or not it was actually a lightwhip , due to its resistance to a lightsaber blade and its blue glow . If it was a lightwhip then it would come under another category , even if it used vibro technology at all . Vibro - ax . Vibro - axes were vibroweapon s common in the underworld of the galaxy , and especially among Gamorrean warriors and guards , and Togorian pirates . There were many different types of vibro - ax ranging from smaller ones to larger ones . Some were extremely bulky weapons , but effective even if difficult to wield because they inspired fear in their opponents . Also , because of the weight behind them , it was easier to cut through chunkier objects with a vibro - ax than another vibroweapon . A vibro - ax was simply a standard ax , but handle - fitted with a vibration generator that , when fed by a power cell , caused the ax head to vibrate rapidly , thus causing more damage to a target . Some handles were designed to dampen the vibration effect for the user , though cruder versions , such as those wielded by the Gamorreans , used wooden handles . These weapons were often left deactivated , simply to allow the user to show off their physical strength - therefore defeating the whole point of the vibration cell . Vibro - lance . The Vibro - lance was used by Gamorrean guard Thok in Jabba the Hutt ' s palace on Tatooine . It was a weapon that Gamorrean guards used in addition to the more common Vibro - ax . Vibro mace . Vibro maces were large , heavy maces incorporating vibro - ax technology . They were often used by large Neimoidian brutes , and were the most heavy duty weapons in the vibro family . It required great strength to wield one of these weapons , but when used correctly with the right training they are extremely deadly . To those untrained in their use , they are almost useless . Anakin Skywalker had to battle his way past many Neimoidian Brutes brandishing these fearsome weapons on his way to murder the Separatist High Council and end the Clone Wars .