[Under most circumstances, Luke would agree that familiar is better. But a lightsaber could cut through nearly any substance in any known universe, not to mention was much easier to conceal. And anyone with knowledge of Mercury would find themselves in for quite a shock should she draw the weapon of a Jedi Knight]

Of course. That's the next step, learning to interweave your powers into hand to hand. The lightsaber can turn aside most forms of energy, even redirecting them back at a foe.