One Malaysian company, Sabertrio, has turned this vision into a global phenomenon. Established in 2016 by “Star Wars” lovers with a flair for tech and business, Sabertrio creates state-of-the-art custom lightsabers.

What started as a bedroom hobby has grown into a global operation, with Sabertrio now shipping approximately 5,000 lightsabers each year.

FMT Lifestyle visited their headquarters in Shah Alam and spoke to the founders to uncover how they’re wielding the Force and turning “Star Wars” fantasies into reality.

Jason Ngiam was introduced to the iconic sci-fi universe at age three. “I grew up watching a lot of western media at home, and ‘Star Wars’ was one of the first things I watched with my father,” he recalled.

His love for the saga led him to play “Star Wars” video games growing up, and he soon developed a deep appreciation for the glowing blade. “There’s arguably no other sci-fi weapon as iconic as the lightsaber.”

The idea for Sabertrio came to him after he bought a US$1,600 lightsaber – only for it to break within days. Frustrated yet inspired, this computer-science graduate decided to rebuild it on his own.

He sourced higher-quality parts, assembled them himself, and quickly realised he was on to something much bigger.

Enter Dane Khoo, fellow “Star Wars” enthusiast and IT expert. “When I watched my first ‘Star Wars’ movie in high school, it wasn’t the characters or the storyline that grabbed my attention – it was the lightsaber,” he shared.

So when Ngiam casually pitched his idea, Khoo immediately jumped at the opportunity.

“We realised we could do lightsabers at a better price, with better quality, faster delivery, and superior technology. That’s why we took the plunge into entrepreneurship in 2016,” Khoo said.

In the early days, it was just the two of them. “Our bedrooms became our office. After work, we’d continue our hobby – building sabers,” Ngiam explained.

That hobby has since grown into a business that employs around 50 people today.

One of their proudest moments took place at the “Star Wars: Acolyte” TV series screening at 1 Utama Shopping Centre this May.

“We noticed that around 80% of the lightsabers held by fans were Sabertrio’s,” Ngiam said with a smile. “The ‘Star Wars’ scene in Malaysia is relatively small; to see our reach locally was a very special moment.”

That said, more than 90% of Sabertrio’s growth has been fuelled by international demand, with most of their lightsabers lighting up American homes. It’s why their website lists US prices, even though the founders shared that a Malaysian site will be up and running very soon.

Sabertrio’s lightsabers aren’t just collector’s items – they’re fully functional, duel-ready weapons built with polycarbonate tubes, making them highly impact-resistant.

“What’s the point of having a lightsaber if you can’t hit it around?” Ngiam asked rhetorically.

And when Sabertrio promised premium, they weren’t kidding: even the hilts of their sabers are made from aircraft-grade aluminium!

These laser swords also come equipped with advanced technology, including sensors similar to those in smartphones. These detect movement, adjusting the iconic sound effects based on how fast or slow the saber moves.

And, of course, it’s fitted with over 300 LED lights, ensuring it can illuminate an entire dark room. FMT Lifestyle tested it out, and trust us, these lightsabers can bring out the Jedi in anyone, no matter your age!

One of the reasons for Sabertrio’s success is their dedication to customisation. “Since each saber hilt is not mass-produced, but rather hand-finished with meticulous attention to detail, no two sabers alike,” Ngiam explained.

From the artistic design of the handle to the programming of custom sounds – some of their sabers even play Christmas jingles! – Sabertrio’s offerings go beyond mere aesthetics.

“I always tell people: be yourself in the galaxy far, far away. Your lightsaber represents you,” Ngiam added.

So, whether you’re a “Star Wars” fan looking to engage in an epic lightsaber duel, or simply someone who wishes to hold a piece of cinematic history in your hands, Sabertrio is here to bring the galaxy to you. May the Force – and your saber – be with you!

To find out more, visit Sabertrio’s website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.