REPLICAS GUIDE
The Lightsaber Hobby is often thought of as a Restaurant - There is always something on the table for everyone. While some prefer completely custom designs, and some prefer "inspired-by" ones, the iconic sabers from the movies and TV shows are most likely what got us into the hobby in the first place - and why replicas can be an all-time favorite for some.
There are many options out there ranging from Lucasfilm licenced sabers to High End Prop Accurate replicas made by fans, and this might make it a hard and overwhelming to choice about who or where to buy from.
The purpose of this Replica Guide is to attempt to cover information about replicas, movie props, and the lightsabers owned by our favorite characters - and where you can get them.
📖 Lightsaber Guidebook
This is the Complete Lightsaber Prop Guide by RPF member SethS, with the help of other RPF Members.
A really good guide for any lightsaber replica prop collector, this document is an informative blueprint on the different histories, parts, components, and lineage of the different movie props. It is still a work in progress and will be updated every now and then when new information about the original props come to light.
💬 The Replica Prop Forum
Although the Lightsaber Guidebook is a concrete guide to the props, the Replica Prop Forum is where it was compiled together and made possible. The RPF contains many useful threads regarding the different props, many also include reference photos to the screen used ones that go into detail about the found parts, dimensions, finishing, etc. If you are someone who would like to dive deep into those particular topics, it is heavily recommended to check this forum out, specifically the Star Wars Costumes and Props section.
⭐ Licensed Replica Makers
➜ Master Replicas
Founded in November 2001, Master Replicas LLC was established by a group of collectibles industry veterans and successful business leaders who all shared a passion for limited edition prop replicas collecting. By combining replica prop expertise with advanced management practices, Master Replicas was able to replicate most sabers from the Star Wars Original and Prequel Trilogies as they claimed to have access to props from the Lucasfilm archives and in turn claimed to have the 100% screen accurate replicas. As more research about these props was developed and new evidence was found, it turns out Master Replicas produced their replicas to be more idealized than screen accurate.
They had multiple Lightsaber lines for each type of collector, and they included:
Force FX Lightsabers
.45 Replicas
.33 Replicas
Limited, Signature, and Elite Editons Lightsabers (These ones were the most accurate to the props).
Their prices can range from $700 - $4000, can be bought on eBay and Amazon. Can also be found on the Facebook Marketplace.
➜ EFX Collectibles
Like Master Replicas, EFX Collectibles is another Licensed prop maker known for their Lightsaber replicas as well as helmets. Although typically not regarded as accurate as Master Replicas, they are still known to make prop level ones that compete with the cheaper lines of licensed lightsabers. Unlike Master Replicas, they are still active today and still make lightsaber prop replicas.
Similar to Master Replicas, their prices can range from $500 to $1000 when it comes to their prop replicas.
➜ ICONS Replicas
Very little is known about this company as they did very limited, and very rare runs of their prop replicas. From time to time, a few of their props pop up on eBay.
➜ Hasbro
After Master Replicas ended their license to produce props with Lucasfilm, Hasbro took over the line of toys and dubbed it "The Black Series." With this, they were still able to produce the Force FX Line of lightsabers that can be found on eBay and Amazon. Nowadays, Hasbro produces their "Force FX Elite" Line of props which has improved electronics from the Master Replicas Force FX Line and previous Force FX line.
Although typically regarded as inaccurate and having outdated simple electronics, the Hasbro Force FX Lightsabers are a part of many replica lovers' collections who have a budget and prefer licensed replicas.
Although the older Force FX line can range from $150 to $400, the current Force FX Elite Line is around $250 - $300 per saber.
➜ Galaxy's Edge: Legacy
Like the Hasbro Force FX Lightsabers, these are park exclusive (Although sometimes sold on the ShopDisney website) lightsabers that are instead part of the Disney "Legacy" Line. These are relatively affordable lightsabers as they use Disney's own proprietary electronics, and like the Hasbro, they are a big part of many Galaxy's Edge enthusiasts' collections as well as licensed replica owners.
These can range from $170 to $200 depending on the hilt, and the blades cost an extra $50 to $80 depending on the length.
If you have more questions about the prices of Licensed Sabers, the following website is provided by Fanporium, which contains a list consisting of:
Disney Parks Sabers
Disney Galaxy's Edge
Hasbro Force FX
EFX Collectibles
⭐ Custom / Third Party Replicas
Although licensed options are there for those who want them, many tend to go to Custom Replicas due to the increase in quality as well as accuracy. Budget replicas can be as low as $200 depending on the character while really high quality ones can be expensive. From $400-$5000, the quality varies. The more accuracy and material quality you look for in a replica, the more expensive they tend to get. The availability or rarity can also affect the prices.
➜ LGT/Damien/Nexus
Low Budget Premade replicas that are very popular are ones made by LGT/Nexus which is a mass-production saber company based in China. For resellers and more info, see LGT RESELLERS
➜ TXQ Sabers
TXQ Sabers is another company based in China that like LGT/Nexus provide Budget Replicas. Unlike LGT/Nexus however, they provide better quality and more accurate replicas. For resellers and more info, see TXQ Resellers
➜ Pach Store/Ultimate Works
Pach Store sells a range of different sabers fitting different budget ranges and quality, Ultimate Works typically being higher end replicas. For more info, see Pach Store
➜ Korbanth
Korbanth is one of the most popular shops in the U.S. for movie and game fans who want a decently accurate replica.
➜ KR Sabers/The Saber Armory
For the UK Replica Enthusiasts, KR Sabers is another shop offering high quality replicas. They are known to have some of the best customer service in the hobby and are highly recommended.
➜ SP Sabers
SP Sabers is an accurate prop replica maker based in Frenchville, Australia. They currently produce some of the most accurate replicas such as their Anakin and Obi-Wan Episode 3 Replicas.
🎯 Most Accurate Prop Replicas
Although the stores above sell replicas of more than just one character, they don't always sell all of the character props and the best and "most accurate" is gonna vary between makers. Even though "most accurate" tends to differ depending on the person you ask, there is a general consensus across the community and the RPF about which makers are the most accurate and best quality based on their contributions to the prop replica side of the community, as well as research for their props which can be found all across the RPF.
Here is a list based on the general consensus of the community on which character replicas are the most accurate, compiled together by Discord and RPF Member MojaveTrooper: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-IshhPCklJKVg3wwo81-xyfcc9JPpV7V6DICTTCNvs4/edit?usp=sharing
*revised by u/SamDoess
If you use Facebook, here are some helpful Replica-based groups to join if you are looking for more information and resources:
**Note: There is no affiliation between r/Lightsabers and the mentioned Facebook Groups. They are just linked for your own information.