The whole evolution of weapons is to avoid the “ medieval sword and axe fights” This weapon is illogical
The problem as always is that whatever the 'sabre' was meant to be composed of e.g. light/plasma/'force' field etc there was nothing limiting the length of the 'beam' once you pushed the 'on' button. It just magically stopped at a predetermined length. It would have been much more believable and realistic if there was some sort of physical wave guide for the 'beam' to form around' sort of like a cross between a high tech antennae and the blade of a fencing foil. But that would have destroyed the 'look' so no go.
Exactly, for all intents and purposes characters are switching on a 'beam' of super hot (insert favorite form of energy here) that can cut through flesh and metal with ease but which then stops cold 2 meters or so from the point of origin. Why? As I said, if it was generated by wrapping itself around a physical emitter of some sort that would make sense. Otherwise it doesn't.
Remember when armor was made obsolete by gunpowder and bullets? Then remember when about forty years ago 'bullet proof' vests came into vogue? What is today's trend? The trend is to armor up. So it's not beyond question that some sort of sword like weapon could return to general use again as well. It's all about technological advancements.
In a universe of virgin births, planet-destroying weaponry and a pack of stone-age teddy bears routing a force of heavily armed professional soldiers, that the Jedi use melee weapons isn't that high on the list.
