Being a patron of the arts, Darth Sidious designed his original weapon with a high level of craftsmanship, clearly influenced by the Sith Lord’s love of antiquity. The body of the lightsaber was fashioned from nigh-indestructible phrik alloy while the flat emitter was composed of aurodium. The whole of the weapon possessed a refined and elegant electrum finish. The weapon utilized a synth-crystal as the focusing crystal.
Ever the pragmatist, Sidious already had prepared a backup lightsaber. This weapon was initially identical to his first lightsaber with the electrum and phrik finish of his original weapon, but it was later retrofitted with an unknown black alloy.
In truth, the Sith normally wielded enough powers to fight without a lightsaber, but every apprentice still learned to use one as part of his or her training. Sidious himself felt that he and his peers had outgrown the use of lightsabers, and only continued carrying them to mock the Jedi. He ultimately viewed his own lightsabers as little more than an affectation, and rarely wielded them in combat.
Why Was Palpatine’s Lightsaber So Offensive to the Jedi Order?
In an attempt to quietly insult the Jedi Order, Palpatine sought to create the most finely crafted and elegant lightsaber possible. In the construction of the saber under his Master Darth Plagueis, Palpatine used a mix of the extremely expensive material called electrum and the nearly indestructible alloy known as Phrik, hoping to flaunt his wealth at the Jedi when they eventually discovered his saber. The use of electrum was meant to deeply offend the Jedi Order, as only true masters of combat like Mace Windu were allowed to use it.
In addition, Palpatine used intricate designs and detailing on his sabers to show off his vast wealth and mock the Jedi Order for not being able to sense him in the force. Despite believing that lightsaber combat was weak compared to the dark side of the force, Palpatine knew that one day he would have to use it, and wanted to embarrass the Order.