Sword / Legends The sword was a bladed melee weapon widely used throughout the galaxy - even in the day of blasters and lightsabers . History . The origin of the sword had been lost to antiquity . The concept of a bladed weapon with a basic hilt had been found in a huge variety of cultures , and existed in a multitude of forms . Uses included military , religious and ceremonial applications . Over the millennia , this basic weapon type had been improved and altered due to changing technologies , alloys , and even fighting styles . The result being numerous incarnations of short sword s , heavy broad swords , agile rapiers , double - bladed sword s , and even vibrosword s of many types which utilized an ultrasonic - vibration technology to improve cutting efficiency . The sword was doubtlessly the conceptual precursor to the lightsaber , yet both have continued to exist contemporaneously as the unique characteristics of the lightsaber preclude universal use or construction . Material and use . Sword variations utilized a wide range of materials , alloys , crystals , minerals , even bone , the goal being to produce sharper or harder blades , therefore able to do more damage and maintain their cutting edge . Powered swords , implementing vibration technology , decreased the coefficient of friction of their blades and thus were more dangerous . Many swords , particularly after the creation of the lightsaber , were designed laced with or composed of exotic materials such as cortosis , phrik , or obsidian enabling the wielder to engage and block a lightsaber blade . Regular swords were made out of metal ( such as aurodium , durasteel , or others ) , plasteel , or highly bonded poly - layered ceramics . The ubiquitous existence of the sword resulted in their use by many Sith and Jedi alike , even after the creation of the lightsaber . Ludo Kressh was one such Dark Jedi who used a sword as opposed to a lightsaber . Kressh ' s war sword was double - bladed , and , like a double - bladed lightsaber , was very dangerous to use . Naga Sadow used a Sith sword . In the battles in and around Iziz on Onderon during the Freedon Nadd Uprising , swords were used as melee weapons by members of both sides of the conflict . In fact , an ancient Sith battle droid severed Cay Qel - Droma ' s cybernetic arm , using a sword ; towards the conclusion of the same conflict the spirit of Freedon Nadd presented Satal and Aleema Keto with two ancient Sith sword s . In more modern times it has generally been the Sith or Dark Jedi who have used swords . The modern Jedi considered Swords to be " barbaric " in comparison to their signature weapon , yet some Sith are known to have preferred the more visceral feel of metal cutting flesh as contrasted to a blade of energy cleanly cutting and cauterizing . Sith blades were often a cortosis alloy to protect them against lightsaber sparring damage . A pure cortosis blade , made of pure cortosis ore , also had the ability to cause lightsabers to short out for a small period of time on contact . The unique properties of this material in its pure and alloyed forms made it sought after , yet pure cortosis ore was a poor choice for standard swords as the blade was not very durable . Although an ancient weapon type by the time the Galactic Empire rose to power , swords still saw use . Despite the proliferation of blaster technology the Sanyassan s were known to use swords during the Galactic Civil War . Mustafar bandit sword s were another more modern variation , and other swords were used by cultures , species , assorted martial arts and combat forms , and military organizations throughout the galaxy . For instance , after the fall of the Galactic Empire , Kiro , a Chuhkyvi who served the Alliance of Free Planets during the Nagai crisis , used a sword from his homeworld during the Skirmish on Kinooine to dispose of several Nagai soldiers .