Anakin Skywalker's first lightsaber
The initial lightsaber that Anakin Skywalker possessed was both the first one he owned and the first one he personally constructed. This weapon featured a blue plasma blade, along with somewhat clunky controls and pronounced ridges along its hilt. During a battle within Poggle the Lesser's battle droid foundries on Geonosis, Skywalker's lightsaber met its end when it was severed by a mechanical cutting arm. Soon after this event, the First Battle of Geonosis commenced, which is largely considered the start of the Clone Wars. Sometime before the Battle of Christophsis, Skywalker fashioned a new lightsaber for himself.
History
Construction
In approximately 29 BBY, the Padawan Anakin Skywalker journeyed to Ilum. It was there that he located his [kyber crystal](/article/kyber_crystal], the essential component he then used to assemble his very first lightsaber.
Usage
Training sessions
After completing the construction of his lightsaber, Skywalker went back to Coruscant and regularly participated in lightsaber training exercises. During one notable session, Skywalker modified a Jedi training droid to resemble Darth Maul and his distinctive double-bladed lightsaber. Skillfully applying his abilities, Skywalker achieved victory by cutting the droid in two using his lightsaber.
Mission to Carnelian IV
Skywalker was equipped with his lightsaber when he and his master were investigating a distress signal.
Inquiring about lightsabers
Sometime after his and his master's mission to Carnelian IV, Skywalker and Kenobi were preparing to spar in the Jedi Temple training grounds when Anakin inquired of his master why the Jedi preferred lightsabers over other weapons powered by kyber crystals. Upon hearing this question, Kenobi relayed the same sentiment that Qui-Gon Jinn had once shared with him: that wielding a lightsaber demonstrates intention and thoughtful consideration before its use, underscoring the Jedi's role as protectors rather than destroyers.
Rescuing Yoda
When Grand Master Yoda was taken from Glee Anselm, Kenobi and Skywalker initiated a rescue mission, unaware that it was actually a trial designed for them.
A memorable training session
During a training session between Skywalker and Kenobi, they engaged in a lightsaber duel within the Jedi Temple.
Separatist crisis & destruction
While pursuing the bounty hunter Zam Wesell, who had attempted to assassinate Padmé Amidala through the aerial routes of Coruscant, Skywalker latched onto Wesell's airspeeder. He activated his lightsaber within the speeder's cockpit, aiming to disrupt the controls, but the weapon was dislodged from his grasp. Fortunately, Obi-Wan Kenobi, closely following in the speeder Skywalker had initially used for the pursuit, managed to catch it. After Skywalker forced Wesell to crash near the Outlander Club, Kenobi returned the lightsaber, urging him to be more careful, and stating the weapon was his "life".
After Skywalker's mother was abducted by Tusken Raiders, he tracked her to their encampment. Upon finding Shmi, she passed away in his arms, triggering a murderous rage in the Padawan. Brandishing his lightsaber, he massacred the entire tribe, sparing no one, including the men, women, and children.
After Count Dooku captured Obi-Wan Kenobi on Geonosis, Skywalker and Padmé Amidala launched a rescue attempt, infiltrating one of the Geonosian droid foundries. During a fight within the facility, Skywalker was knocked down and trapped under machinery. He managed to free himself, but not before a descending mechanical blade sliced his lightsaber in half. Skywalker only realized the weapon was destroyed when he tried to activate it, lamenting that Kenobi would be furious at his carelessness.
Legacy
At some point between his experience on Geonosis and the mission to Benglor, Anakin Skywalker created a new lightsaber for himself. He would use this lightsaber throughout the Clone Wars until his Duel on Mustafar. Despite losing this lightsaber, Skywalker, now the Sith Lord Darth Vader, constructed his third and final lightsaber, drawing inspiration from his first.
When Verla inquired about Skywalker's identity, Ferren Barr instructed his droid Endee to display files 430 through 459. The droid then projected a hologram showing several Aurebesh characters including Skywalker, along with a video of Anakin battling B1-series battle droids using his initial lightsaber.
Decades later, while reflecting on memories of the First Battle of Geonosis at the Petranaki Arena, Vader envisioned himself fighting in the arena with his first lightsaber to defend Padmé from battle droids.
After recruiting Sabé, Vader collaborated with her to overcome Governor Tauntaza's security forces. During one of their engagements, Vader recalled using his first lightsaber to kill the Tusken Raiders.
Behind the scenes
Anakin Skywalker's original lightsaber made its debut in the 2002 canon Star Wars film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.
Sources provide conflicting information regarding the exact time when Skywalker first built his lightsaber. He wielded his first lightsaber throughout the Marvel comic mini-series Star Wars: Obi-Wan and Anakin, when he was twelve years old. However, both Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know and its updated edition indicate that he constructed the lightsaber on Ilum at the age of fourteen.