Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Benjamin.
Hi Brandon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
All my life, I have enjoyed Star Wars. It has been a huge impact on my life! As a child, I saw Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace at the theaters. I immediately fell in love with the entire franchise. As I got older, I became a larger collector of Star Wars movie props and replicas. My fascination for lightsabers (The laser swords the Jedi and Sith use in the movies) became a vital object I wanted to collect. I decided to collect every lightsaber replica featured in the movies and television series. But it didn’t stop there. I’m an artist. I love crafting, painting, drawing, photography, and cinematography, to name a few. I became well acquainted with multiple Star Wars social media groups, and from there, I found a new hobby and a new passion: Lightsaber Weathering and Lightsaber Installation. What is lightsaber Weathering? It’s when you take a pristine brand-new lightsaber, rough it up, and make it look dirty or accurate to the films, live-action, and animated television shows. One might ask, “Why would I want my brand-new lightsaber to look beat up”? Well, that’s a simple answer: IT JUST LOOKS COOLER.
And in some cases, you can weather particular lightsabers to resemble ones from the films. I, for one, love a weathered saber. That’s when I crossed paths with my mentor and now good friend, Russell Mitchem of Wade Sabers LLC, in Sikeston, Missouri. Russ has been a mentor of mine for roughly 3 years now and an excellent friend. He has shown me so in the saber communities, from Installs to weathering and even powder coating. He inspired me to start my own business: Kyber Custom Sabers, a small privately owned business operated by yours truly where I offer custom lightsaber weathering, Installs, and paint jobs. I have served over 300 people in social media communities from all around the world. It truly has been a thrill and passionate experience for me to receive a client’s lightsaber and perform my services and watch the smiles glow on their faces after a custom weathering or installation job. When I started this business, I wanted to make an honest name for myself, so I offered my services for free. This was a perfect way to establish customer engagement and trust with first-time clients, and for the first month of free services, I made so many connections. It has been nearly 3 years since I officially opened Kyber Custom Sabers for commissions, and I will carry this journey and business from now until the kingdom comes. If it wasn’t for the people who inspired me, like Russell Mitchem of Wade Sabers LLC, Brian Bradley of Crested Sabers, Jeremy Puckett of Solo Sabers, Shaun Patterson of SP Sabers, Tony of Ronin Sabers, and awesome clients and friends like Warren McKay, Joseph Forbush Nick Alford: (mindofageek) and Robert Pearson to name a few Kyber Custom Sabers wouldn’t be around. Big inspiration those guys are! I’m happy to join the communities and bring more talent and fun!
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m one of many saber smiths out there who does weathering, installations, or custom paint jobs on lightsabers. You know, it’s always challenging starting something new. You can have all the talent in the world, but more is needed. You get criticism and some negative feedback here and there. There’s a lot of friendly competition out there! But that’s part of the journey. For the most part, though, I have received tremendous positive feedback lately about Kyber Custom Sabers, which motivates me to keep moving forward.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently 31 years old. Family and friends have always told me I’m destined for great things and multi-talented. I have a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism. I’m an accomplished published author. I’m a successful YouTube content creator. I’m in the process of becoming an actor. My most proud accomplishment is my Star Wars fan-fiction series that I am writing and will be published soon. I pitched my fan fiction series to Disney and Lucasfilm a few months back. Fingers crossed that the series makes its way to the big or small screen someday.
My business Kyber Custom Sabers specializes mostly in weathering. Again, weathering is my biggest passion while operating the business. There’s chemical weathering, natural weathering, paints, acrylics, and so much more! Every saber commissioned to me is different and has its character. I never try to do the same technique twice. That way, each client gets a different feel of their lightsaber when returned to them. I have a natural vision of things, and I stick to it.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to move to the coast near Myrtle Beach or Charleston, South Carolina. Florida has been a big move for me at some point. I would love to operate Kyber Custom Sabers based in “Orange State.” Especially since many of my business acquaintances and Disney friends reside in Florida, Kyber Custom Sabers would reign well there. I’m focused on this amazing Star Wars fan fiction series I’m writing and pitching. It’s my “Ace in the hole,” my biggest project alongside Kyber Custom Sabers. I’m working around the clock to give my services to clients, and in my downtime, I’m diligently writing and working stories for this star gazing story I’m awaiting to tell everyone. I want to create excellent content for those who enjoy Star Wars, film, cinema, and all Disney / LucasFilm entertainment. So many goals to accomplish in my life!
Pricing:
- Youngling Weathering- $40 – $60
- Padawan Weathering- $60 – $100
- Knight Weathering- $100 ‐ $160
- Master Weathering- $160 ‐$180
- Specialty Weathering- Price Varies
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kybercustomsabers?igshid=YmJhNjkzNzY=
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TheOfficialKyberCustomSabers/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kybercustomsabers1857
Image Credits
Photos taken by me: Brandon R. Benjamin, Illustration concept art was done by the famous: Uzuriart (Illustration/Illustrator)
