Darth Maul, a Sith assassin trained by Sidious, wielded a deadly double-bladed lightsaber. He mastered Form VII (Juyo), fought Jedi like Qui-Gon Jinn, and sought revenge beyond death. His saber, iconic in The Phantom Menace, symbolized his rage and adaptability, evolving through Clone Wars and Rebels until his final duel with Obi-Wan.
Darth Maul’s original lightsaber was a weapon of his own design, reflecting both his lethal skill and unrelenting dedication to the Sith. Guided by instructions hidden in a Sith holocron belonging to Darth Sidious, Maul forged the double-bladed weapon by connecting two lightsaber hilts end-to-end.
This innovation allowed him to wield the weapon as either a single- or dual-bladed saber, giving him versatility in combat. Maul’s craftsmanship, combined with his mastery of the dark side, resulted in a weapon that was as fearsome as the Sith apprentice himself.
Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber was born out of both necessity and ambition.
Trained extensively in combat techniques requiring dual blades, Maul sought a weapon that would channel his ferocity and hatred into devastating attacks. This design allowed him to engage multiple opponents simultaneously or to alternate between single- and dual-bladed combat, a flexibility that proved invaluable against Jedi foes.
In Legends, the dual-bladed saber first came into existence when Maul, outmatched by a Jedi, returned to his ship and ingeniously combined two lightsabers to secure a decisive victory.
While Darth Maul's weapon does not have an official name in canon, it is often referred to as a saberstaff due to its unique design and extended hilt.
In Legends, Darth Sidious suggested Maul name the weapon to emphasize its significance as a legendary Sith artifact. However, Maul rejected the notion, regarding the lightsaber as nothing more than a tool for destruction—an extension of his own identity as a weapon of the dark side.
The journey of Darth Maul’s first lightsaber is as intriguing as the Sith apprentice himself. Its iconic debut in The Phantom Menace set the stage for its role as a symbol of Maul's power and the Sith's resurgence.
Though destroyed during the Battle of Naboo, a portion of the saber was later recovered and modified, signaling Maul's survival and evolution.
Over time, Maul's mastery of lightsaber construction led to new iterations of his double-bladed weapon, ensuring his deadly presence endured through his pursuit of vengeance.
The original hilt of Darth Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber was an elegant yet pragmatic design.
Forged from alloy metals, it featured a cylindrical shape with black accents and red activation buttons. Its simplicity masked the deadly functionality within—two kyber crystals powering the dual blades, which could ignite individually or simultaneously.
This utilitarian design reflected Maul’s lethal focus and Sith training under Darth Sidious. The craftsmanship not only symbolized the dark side’s corruption but also allowed the saber to function seamlessly in both single- and dual-blade configurations, as previously noted.
The kyber crystal is the heart of the lightsaber and Darth Maul's weapon harnesses its power from multiple crystals, likely claimed from the weapons of defeated Jedi. These crystals undergo a Sith ritual known as "bleeding," during which the wielder pours their hatred, anger, and dark side energy into the crystal.
This corruptive process turns the crystals crimson, resulting in the signature red blades of Sith lightsabers.
The incorporation of multiple kyber crystals enables Maul’s weapon to function as a double-bladed lightsaber, with two vibrant blades extending from either end of its elongated hilt.
Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic battles and duels involving Darth Maul and his one-of-a-kind saber.
One of Darth Maul's most famous battles occurred during the Battle of Naboo in The Phantom Menace.
Maul faced Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, demonstrating the full potential of his double-bladed lightsaber. While Maul succeeded in striking down Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan ultimately defeated him by severing the weapon—and Maul himself—in two.
Both Maul and his saber plummeted down a reactor shaft, marking what seemed to be the Sith’s end.
Despite his apparent death, Maul survived through sheer willpower and the dark side of the Force.
Rescued by his brother, Savage Opress, Maul regained his strength and reclaimed half of his original lightsaber. This remnant of his former weapon symbolized his rebirth, as Maul sought vengeance against both Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Sidious while carving out a place for himself in the galaxy.
Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber returned in a modified form during the Siege of Mandalore, where he wielded a reconstructed version of his original weapon.
Though its design evolved, the weapon maintained its dual-bladed functionality, a hallmark of Maul’s fighting style. The saber ultimately fell from his grasp during his final battle with Ahsoka Tano, disappearing into the depths of Mandalore’s capital.
After the Clone Wars, Maul constructed a new double-bladed lightsaber.
his weapon, distinct from his original, featured a hooked grip-guard resembling the Inquisitor lightsabers. Built from scavenged parts, it reflected Maul's resourcefulness and his descent into the shadows as the leader of the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate.
The second iteration of Maul’s lightsaber displayed a more rugged and improvised aesthetic.
With its crimson blades and wood-accented hilt disguised as a walking stick, this weapon symbolized Maul’s dual identity as a feeble wanderer and a deadly adversary. It retained the dual-blade capability that defined his fighting style.
Darth Maul’s final confrontation with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine marked the end of his tragic journey.
Though Maul’s second lightsaber was destroyed in the duel, it represented his relentless obsession with revenge. In defeat, Maul recognized his own failure to escape the cycle of hatred, meeting his demise at the hands of his old nemesis.
Darth Maul mastered Form VII: Juyo, an aggressive and chaotic lightsaber combat style emphasizing unpredictability and raw power.
Additionally, he incorporated the dual-blade techniques of Jar’Kai and elements of unarmed combat, showcasing his versatility as a warrior. Maul’s fighting style relied on a combination of speed, precision, and relentless ferocity.
Maul’s original lightsaber hilt measured 49.5 cm and was constructed from alloy metals.
Powered by synthetic kyber crystals, its crimson blades could be activated independently. The hilt’s simplicity and practicality made it a reflection of Maul’s lethal efficiency.
Maul’s fighting style evolved through countless battles, from his first encounter with Qui-Gon Jinn to his duels against Ahsoka Tano and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
His mastery of Juyo and Jar’Kai allowed him to adapt to any opponent, ensuring his reputation as one of the galaxy’s most fearsome combatants.
The dual-bladed lightsaber’s modular design allowed each blade to be activated independently, providing unmatched versatility in combat.
The weapon’s extended hilt enhanced reach, while its ability to split into two single blades made it adaptable to any fighting style.
Darth Maul used his double-bladed lightsaber to defeat several formidable foes, including Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and numerous Jedi Knights during his reign of terror.
His weapon played a pivotal role in his rise to power and remains one of the most iconic tools of the Sith.
Darth Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber has been prominently featured in The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars, Rebels, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Its iconic design and functionality have made it one of the most memorable weapons in Star Wars history.
Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber was a revolutionary addition to the Star Wars universe, making its unforgettable debut in The Phantom Menace. Its striking design, unlike anything seen before, instantly captured audiences' imaginations. The concept for a dual-bladed saber originated from Tom Veitch's Tales of the Jedi comics and was adapted into the film by George Lucas.
Portraying Maul required intense physical preparation, with actor Ray Park dedicating 3-4 hours daily to training, even while managing a hip injury.
The lightsaber itself was a marvel of craftsmanship, equipped with multiple buttons and switches that allowed for independent control of each blade.
Interestingly, the design process for both Maul and his weapon was marked by bold creative choices. Early concepts for Maul's appearance, sketched by artist Iain McCaig, were so terrifying that Lucas requested a less frightening iteration, famously asking for "your second worst nightmare."
The final design of Maul and his lightsaber became iconic, with the weapon’s unique functionality adding depth to the film’s exhilarating fight choreography, challenging actors and stunt performers alike to bring its dynamic potential to life on screen.
