Graflex: The Real Lightsaber

[Red Five]

A Graflex 3-Cell flashgun was the actual prop used by George Lucas
for Luke's lightsabers in A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

The Graflex flashgun held the flash bulbs for a vintage
 "Speed Graphic" camera from the 1940's.




*Note: No modifications or changes beyond the flash pan being removed
have been made to the flashgun in this pic.


There are different versions of the flashgun, but it's a 3-cell flashgun
with patent #2310165 stamped onto the bottom that was used for the film.


The 3 pieces of a disassembled graflex flashgun


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Graflex flashgun conversion to Luke's ANH Lightsaber Hilt
-Seven 3 5/8" long black hand grips
- LED calculator 7 bubble display lens slid into the Graflex's mounting clamp
Only two 7 bubble models are known,
Texas Instruments Exactra 19 and Exactra 20 from 1974.
(pic of an Exactra 20 interior)

-D-ring attached with single screw for the belt clip
-Chrome tape -  1/2" wide chrome mylar tape for covering
the word "Graflex" that is stamped into the clamp.

Graflex flashgun conversion to Luke's ESB Lightsaber Hilt
-Six 3 5/8" long black rubber hand grips notched and fasteners added
-A second red button replaced the test light lens

-HP-44 bus type computer card edge connector cut down to 2" long with
13 gold connectors was slid into the Graflex's mounting clamp

-D-ring attached with screws or rivets (multiple versions)

-Chrome tape -  1/2" wide chrome mylar tape for covering
the word "Graflex" that is stamped into the clamp.

For more detailed info on Luke's ANH & ESB hilts click on the following links:
ANH http://www.partsofsw.com/skysab.htm
ESB http://www.partsofsw.com/esbsksab.htm

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Graflex ANH Luke built by Yoda of FX-Sabers.com


Graflex ESB Luke built by Yoda of FX-Sabers.com


ANH & ESB side-by-side


Yoda's Complete Saber Kit, with interchangeable bottoms ANH & ESB 
All the parts needed to put together both lightsabers.




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Yoda's Graflex ANH and ESB lightsabers feature:

Blue 3watt Luxeon LED
  -Luxeon is evenly lit along the shaft and is brighter at the base
(just like in the original trilogy movie posters) because it's a single
light that is placed into the hilt. The placement of the LED allows for
a removable blade making a Luxeon the best choice for dueling.


TCSS Aluminum Blade Holder
  -The Custom Saber Shop...http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/
The blade is held in place by a solid aluminum holder.

Corbin Components Blade & Film
-The Corbin film is a diffuser that gives the saber a white core
 in the center of the blade (just like in the original trilogy movie posters).


Blast Tech Rubber Grips
ANH version has 7.  ESB version 6.

Including Sound and Battery module w/protective sleeve.
A plastic sleeve is used to center and protect the battery cartridge also allowing the sound to travel back up the saber and out of the holes of the Graflex clamp as well as in conjunction with the multiple holes hidden under the D-Ring. The placement of these holes give you a loud saber without sacrificing the movie accurateness of the hilt. The sound is chambered and resonates through the body giving a slightly different (a more metallic resonance) and deeper tone  from the typical Anakin sounds even though it's the same module. It also does not have the direct harshness of the MR sound at the bottom of the hilt. Do not worry it's not at all muffled sounding...it is Loud guaranteed.

 
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On/ Off
The red push button is the activator for the blade.
Since it's not a switch this reduces accidental turn offs during dueling, spinning, or handling of the saber.

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Weight
The Graflex's combined weight of hilt and blade is lighter than the MR Anakin ROTS which uses a heavier cast metal. The Graflex has a lighter blade because it's hollow (no LEDs inside) which makes the hilt feel heavier giving the Graflex a better feel than a MR. Also with an aluminum adapter in the top and batteries in the bottom the Graflex's hilt by itself is better balanced than a stock MR.

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*Note: All Graflex's have a degree of natural weathering from being around for 60 years which is actually more movie prop realistic being that
Luke's sabers were used and weathered from training. So the Graflex looks the part of being a real lightsaber that's served its master well.

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"I can use either an Original Vintage Graflex Flashguns and/or Parks Graflex Replicas. The Vintages usually cost about $50 more
because of their higher cost to obtain as well as the extra labor involved because they need to be throughly cleaned as well as
gutting the parts is more difficult than a Parks Hilt because a Vintage is not necessarily designed to be taken apart."  -Yoda

To order or talk with Yoda simply PM him using this link:
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=75

For more info on Yoda's Graflex's click on the following link:
http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?board=47.0




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If this post has helped in buying a Graflex from Yoda please mention my name and the post to him.
It is his Graflex that was my inspiration for writing. Thank You. -Red Five

[darthmaddy]

That is an extremely informative thread, well done. ;)

[Knuckle01]

outstanding knowledge!!! good job

[Kyp Durron]

A great plug for Yoda's Graflex sabers.  8)

One of my New Year's resolutions is to get another to replace the one I was forced to sell earlier this year.

-Joclad

[snaggletooth]

Interesting to note that (according to the Parts Of Star Wars website) Yoda's ESB version is not an exact copy of any of the known sabers but more of a conglomeration of the most famous/popular features.
I kind of like that.
It is a thing of beauty though, that's for sure.
 :o

[levelnext]

great job, i love this thread!

[darthmaddy]

These are great for dueling too.  My Graflex FX is the lightest saber I have.  And its smaller hilt diameter is very comfortable.  I highly recommend this saber!

[Yoda]

Interesting to note that (according to the Parts Of Star Wars website) Yoda's ESB version is not an exact copy of any of the known sabers but more of a conglomeration of the most famous/popular features.
I kind of like that.
It is a thing of beauty though, that's for sure.
 :o

Yes, my ESB version uses the Top end of the Dueling Saber featured in the "failure at the cave" sceen
where the top tab ring is still intact.

And the Bottom is basically the "wampa cave" with a 1/2 band and K-bold Ring and extra grip screws.

And the Shiny silver look of the screws that MR implied with it's LE and EE versions for the lower grip
screws it just adds more visual appeal with everything in place. :)

( owners can then modify as they see fit ;) )

HOWEVER if I do a Vintage ESB I can remove the Tab ring as I did on my Hyperdyne unit.
On the replicas if I remove it, there is a scar left behind from it being assembled by the Manufacturer
due to the way they press it in and it doesn't look right.

So for Vintage ESB units if requested I'll do an exact screen version which can best be seen hanging from
Lukes belt right after Boba Fett takes a few shots at him in the Cloud City hallway ;)
This Saber from that sceen looks Identical to my Hyperdyne unit...

But my Personal ESB I use for dueling and shows etc... is like the ones I sell with the button ring and silver
grip screws...


FYI:
for all those wondering :D
The 1 inch band only appears in the Museum Hilt on Display with Lucas and is never seen in the movie ;)
trust me I've looked for it.
And the band is actually just slightly larger than 1/2 inch in the dagobah scenes but it's not a full inch
by any means like the image over at page top of POSW.

The correct size looks to be aproximately 9/16th to 5/8th depending on flat chrome strip or textured.
and depending on sceen.

I'm really glad those who got the ESB versions like the combined version I do and see it for everything
it's meant to be... 8)

They do take a bit more work than an ANH because of all the grip screws and installing them so, I do charge
more for the ESB's but it's worth it to make them look the best they can ;D

MTFBWY
always
YODA

[Darth Raijlin]

Yoda, with the new Ultra Saber fiber optic blade, are you still using the Corbin film or have you switched over?

Man, I thought your sabers were more expensive.  I just happened to be surfing around, because I've always been amazed by your masterpieces, and I saw they are $365!  Oh man...now more Dark Jedi Mind Tricks to be performed on my wife.

And we have our third little youngling due any day    :o

*Turns to wife*  This IS the saber you are looking for.  This IS the saber you are looking for.

[Knuckle01]

lmao....outstanding DR....you cracked me up bro. hey let us know about your new younging when he/she arrives.

[Yoda]

Yoda, with the new Ultra Saber fiber optic blade, are you still using the Corbin film or have you switched over?

Man, I thought your sabers were more expensive.  I just happened to be surfing around, because I've always been amazed by your masterpieces, and I saw they are $365!  Oh man...now more Dark Jedi Mind Tricks to be performed on my wife.

And we have our third little youngling due any day    :o

*Turns to wife*  This IS the saber you are looking for.  This IS the saber you are looking for.

I like to sell them with the Corbin Filmed Blade because of the Original Trilogy Look to it.
But when I start doing the next Run for 2007 I may give people the chioce of an Ultra or
Corbin Blade or no blade and it would just be the hilt in a case...

Not sure yet because I'm waiting on some things, but I'll let everyone know once I'm ready to start taking orders ;)

[Dark Helmet]

Master Yoda, your sabers are nothing less than awesome.
I'm looking forward to order you one in a month or two.
Can you let me know how much will cost with an international expedition to Italy?

[Yoda]

Master Yoda, your sabers are nothing less than awesome.
I'm looking forward to order you one in a month or two.
Can you let me know how much will cost with an international expedition to Italy?

Hello there Dark Helmet

When your ready just send me a PM message with your prefered model type and I'll help you out.

[Andymac84]

Very informative. Thank u.
I love this thread.

[Firedrops]

Hmm... i don't get it. how do these graphlex things help or enhance a lightsaber? are there differences in the lighting system in the blade if the graphlex things were removed? so in short, the graphlex is the 7 little beady things?