What happened to shiny lightsabers?

[Lt. Col. Thok]

I noticed that, around 2005, Lego stopped using the classic shiny lightsabers that had represented Star Wars for over 5 years. Does anyone know why they were replaced? (I suppose it was because they were prone to flaking...)

[meschepers]

The chroming process is expensive. In order to save money so the sets don't get more expensive they produce the grey ones to compensate for the chrome ones. Personally I like the chromed ones a lot more, but you gotta go with what they give ya.

[simonjedi]

The chroming process is expensive. In order to save money so the sets don't get more expensive they produce the grey ones to compensate for the chrome ones

Basically this ^

some 2006 and 2007 sets had chrome sabers i think, my ISD, jabba's sail barge and x wing had them

[Cyclone Titan]

So did the Sith infiltrator.

[Asuka]

One of my chrome ones split, and I wonder if the grey ones

[Courleciel]

Yes, I prefer the chrome lightsaber. 8-| But you can find them in the aimant sets. ;-)

[Jipay]

that would be "magnets" not "aimants" ;-)

[Doctor Sinister]

They flake? Wow. Never had one flake on me yet.

Dr. S.

[voltio]

They flake? Wow. Never had one flake on me yet.

Dr. S.

Neither did I, until I disassembled a Final Duel set I'd had on display for 3+ years. When I pulled the lightsabers out of Luke and Vader's hands, I was surprised to see an odd milky-gray plastic peeking through the damaged chrome. Like the Castle Greatswords, chrome lightsabers can flake even if used gently. I'd replace them, but they cost $1 each on Bricklink.

For that reason, I think the shift to bley lightsaber hilts is better for the long-term durability of sets, and saves money for both the consumer and TLG.

[Lt. Veers]

Everyone above me has basicly said what happend.

Either that, or it's TLG being cheap-o's. Again.

[Canticleer blues]

It's not a big deal. Shiny lighsader hilts are still around, and are in no danger of dissappearing; it's just that they can't be put into many sets, and no more then one per set, because of the high cost of chrome pieces.

[JimBee]

which is also why theyre not making a chrome-nose N-1 naboo starfighter, but the UCS one was nice...

[Darth_Legois]

They flake? Wow. Never had one flake on me yet.

Dr. S.

Most of my Chrome lightsabres are flaked :-( i need to get more SW sets! *vader*

[Lt. Col. Thok]

They flake? Wow. Never had one flake on me yet.

Dr. S.

I never realized that they flaked until I compared some of my broadswords to me lightsabers - they were in horrible condition... :-/