Why Did Inquisitor Lightsabers Spin?

If you've watched Rebels, Obi-Wan Kenobi, or Jedi: Fallen Order, you’ve probably seen the Inquisitor lightsaber—a unique double-bladed weapon that spins like a deadly propeller. But why did it spin?

The answer lies in who the Inquisitors were.

Trained by Darth Vader and operating under Emperor Palpatine, the Inquisitors were former Jedi turned dark side hunters. But unlike the Sith, they weren’t elite Force users. Most Inquisitors were only on par with mid-level Jedi Knights, lacking the refined skill of masters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, or even their own master, Vader.

To compensate, the spinning lightsaber was designed as both a weapon and a fear tactic. Its rapid rotation made it appear far more dangerous than it was—intimidating, overwhelming, and difficult to predict. This psychological edge often gave Inquisitors the upper hand in battle, allowing them to disorient opponents and deflect attacks from multiple directions.

However, the spinning mechanism had a fatal flaw. Against a powerful or precise Jedi—such as Cal Kestis or Ahsoka—the blades could be cut through, rendering the weapon useless.

Still, the Inquisitor lightsaber had one more function: flight. By spinning the blades fast enough, Inquisitors could lift off and glide short distances like a helicopter, often escaping defeat by flying to safety.

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Wield the Blade of Fear

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Want to fly into battle—or at least look like you could? The dark side has never spun this fast.