Mee_n_Mac":pf96seqf said:
I'll opine that a variable sword is more feasible than a light saber and serves the same purpose.
Is that the same as a "molecular knife" or a sword that is composed of a blade one atom in diameter? (Sci-Fi weapons)
A sword made from properly arranged nanotubes might do the trick. The pommel holds the nanotubes and the powersource. When activated, a field is generated and the tubes spring to life, arranging appropriately (end-to-end/whatever) and comprising the blade. The blade is strengthened by a electromagnetic field holding the now highly charged nanotubes in place. The raw power required to make a sturdy blade spring to life may also ionize surrounding air or vaporize it, maybe making it glow or even a giving it a characteristic "hum." A nano-sword.
Luckily for Luke, his mom wasn't around to tell him "NO! You'll put your eye out!" when he first came home with his new lightsaber..