Dead blade

Dead blade was a term used by Jedi Knights for any non-energized non-powered melee weapon, typically taking the form of a sharp blade made of such substances as metal, ceramic, transparisteel and carbonite; examples included simple knives and axes. This was in direct contrast to weapons such as lightsabers, which were in essence entirely energized, and vibroblades, which were characterized by their energized vibration, which made them more effective at cutting through various substances.

Jedi Master Mace Windu was familiar with the appearance of wounds inflicted by dead blades. In 22 BBY, while reviewing a hologram from the planet Haruun Kal with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Grand Master Yoda and a Republic Intelligence agent, Windu identified several such marks on a corpse seen in the image. Palpatine expressed distaste at the idea of a dead blade, considering it a crude device with a painful application. Windu noted that cuts made with such a weapon did not always hurt.

Text and facts from the “Dead blade” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.