Cracking a Kyber Crystal: Darth Vader vs. Kylo Ren
The relationship between Sith and Jedi and their kyber crystals is a fascinating aspect of the Star Wars universe. Often, the act of cracking a kyber crystal is shrouded in controversy, particularly when comparing two iconic figures, Darth Vader and Kylo Ren. Initially, the term cracking a kyber crystal might evoke thoughts of a defensive mechanism or an intentional alteration. However, upon closer inspection, we find that the practice is more complex and less prevalent than one might think.
DEFINING A KYBER CRystal
A kyber crystal, as defined by the lore, is a natural crystal that can be bled to change its color. Sith users often corrupt a kyber crystal to turn it red, while Jedi attempts to purify it to turn it white. Kylo Ren, however, seems to have a different experience with his crystal, leading some to question his methods and intentions.
THE TCODERIN SHAVB FAULLUX (DARKSIDE) AND CRACKING
Both Darth Vader and Kylo Ren use red lightsaber crystals, which are bleeding crystals. This means that they originally were green, blue, or purple, but were corrupted by the dark side to become red. Ahsoka Tano, for instance, demonstrates that a bleeding kyber crystal can be purified from its dark influences and turned white. Darth Vader, with his extensive experience in lightsaber construction, would know how to expertly bleed his crystal with a result somewhat brighter than those of Darth Maul or Emperor Palpatine.
KYLO REN'S LIGHTSABER
When Kylo Ren crafted his lightsaber, he used what many believe to be a cracked kyber crystal. This leads to the question: Why did Kylo Ren crack his crystal, and was Darth Vader ever scared to do the same?
MISTAKES AND DESIGN CHOICES
It's more likely that Kylo Ren cracked his crystal due to overdoing the bleeding process. Darth Vader would never have compromised with a damaged or unstable crystal. He would simply seek out a new, pristine crystal and attempt the bleeding process again. Kylo Ren, on the other hand, did not have this luxury and had to work with the crystal he found, leading to the creation of an inherently unstable and side-vent-equipped lightsaber.
SIDE-VENTS AND THE CRACKED KYBER CRYSTAL
The addition of side-vents in Kylo Ren's lightsaber is not without its downsides. According to a Disney exhibit, Kylo Ren could not find a suitable green kyber crystal to bleed, hence he had to use a pre-cracked crystal. The exploration of the additional vents was likely a desperate move to enhance his weapon's capabilities, though it came at a cost. These vents allow the lightsaber to expel extra power, which is a creative and destructive move, as it could potentially lead to the loss of Kylo's hand.
CRAICKING SO CIERTOM CRYSTALS
Cracking a kyber crystal, as understood in the context of Sith users, is generally considered a bad move. In fact, Darth Vader was so powerful that he could create a synthetic red crystal through Force meditation. Kylo Ren, due to his limited resources, had to work with an already cracked crystal. Thus, he could not replicate the synthetic crystal techniques that Darth Vader possessed.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, while Darth Vader may have had a full embrace of the dark side, he would never have wanted to crack his kyber crystal to begin with. His fear drove him towards commitment and control rather than instability and risk. On the other hand, Kylo Ren's fear and internal conflict led him to a more unstable but more visible manifestation of his struggles. While both Sith and Jedi can bleed their crystals, the act of cracking them is a highly questionable practice with significant downsides.