Well folks, I learned something.
I got, what I thought, was **** foam weatherstrip. Turns out I got velvety foam, about as thick as a couple strips of gum. VERY comfortable and looks the part. However, I think they used a more robust version in a few scenes. Looks like it changed from ESB to ROTJ and multiple times in each film. THICK stuff in ESB and a little thinner in ROTJ, but I think it was definitely dark black weatherstrip, and nothing with a gray tint.
It's 15mm in width, which looks correct. "close enough" to T track, but wider, covering more of the handle. So, I generally cut some to length with scissors, leaving a bit at the bottom and the top (clamp and end of saber) Well, it turns out, the glue pattern/grip pattern happens by accident. If you start trying to leave a moderate gap between the grips, you run out of space, and cram the last few together (6). cannot fit 7 of this width. Looking at
Also, when you hold it between your fingers and lay it on the tube, its flexible. That means it lays down sometimes in wavy lines, or the ends curve a little to one side. I thought that was from heavy use on set, but any little bit of force when applying them makes them go a bit wonky as opposed to rigid plastic strip.
pics soon!