Linken

So this is sadly an issue that can only be resolved via coding. When I worked on getting this mod into Galactic Legacy, I struggled a fair bit to figure out the cause. 
Though I can't confirm/deny any other solutions, what I ended up needing to do was add the jk2anims.gla file to 2 functions in the source code to a couple of if statements, which basically told the game "Hi there hello, this is a real humanoid file, treat it like that please or I'll be very sad".
I am at work as of writing this, so I can't provide screenshots, but if you're able to compile OpenJK yourself, search for the function G_StandardHumanoid and add the path to the jk2anims gla in a new if statement (have it return the same value as all the others) , and then there's one other function to do the same thing in which I cannot for the life of me remember what it's called.
This will fix the objects not being held but will also fix character heads moving in the wrong direction too.

Finally got around to being able to get ingame. Here's a screenshot of my own attempts, which worked. If it's still not working for you, please make sure you downloaded our recent update we released this past august.

So the "code-less" workaround would actually be to utilize the cvar g_debugmelee 1, you can have it set in your menu on startup so it's impossible to miss. 
Also if you want another npc to use Kyle's melee attacks, make sure their npc class is CLASS_KYLE and they have the "1" spawnflag activated in their npc spawner.

@RobiWanKen0bi
I checked the source code and long story short, the animation, BOTH_GESTURE1, is hardcoded for npcs using a single saber. If they're using dual sabers, a staff, or CLASS_ALORA, then the animation is different.

Basically the highlighted code reads:
"If the npc is taunting, then do something. If the NPC is on the NPC class CLASS_ALORA, play her special taunting animation. If using dual lightsabers, play that animation. If using a staff OR using the staff stance, then play that taunt animation. Otherwise, play BOTH_GESTURE1 if that animation exists in my humanoid file."
Looks like there was another instance where the npc would play an idle animation, but that was commented out so it'll never happen. I suppose in cases where an NPC is using a single lightsaber but doesn't have the BOTH_GESTURE1 animation.
For the player, there is some variation allowed as you may know with the "taunt" command.

This one basically reads if not using a saber, do the BOTH_ENGAGETAUNT animation (the animation that plays when you challenge a player to a duel in multiplayer). If using a saber, check if the .sab file has a tauntAnim then play that. Otherwise, depending on what saber style the player is using, play a different animation. So Fast/Tavion both get the twirling the saber with the force. All other single blade stances get BOTH_ENGAGETAUNT. Then dual and staff all get their own too.
So long story short, if you want the Gamorrean to not use the force while taunting, you'll need to set the saber to be a saber staff, change the idle animation to whatever you want and that should work.

So just in case if anybody cares. The solution to the problem I implemented is add a target_delay for the vehicle to NPC_target to when the vehicle is automatically destroyed when crashing into a piece of map geometry. You need that small delay. Trying to fix it through the code would be a daunting task.

Denied, model isn't for Jedi Academy.

We already have Exar Kun.

Ummm...sift through the kotf assets and extract what you want?

KotF_NPC_JEDI_SITH only contains npc files for the generic Jedi and Sith. I apologize for the inconvenience this causes.
 
Here is the link to the CIS Npc file: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qmhrFDmjn46sf0yvc0ih-9fovngM2h6B
 
If you're missing any other files, browse here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1p6Z1uYW0ldrgETGARFynVVREJ0jQ63uu

Send me a screenshot over discord. My discord name is Linken#6000.

Ok, I have a "partial" solution. Start small, get big.
 
Create a cylinder the size of the smallest segment of your lightsaber hilt, once the cylinder is lengthened, extrude each piece to the correct size. No edges sticking out.

It does, so how many vertices should the original model be at maximum before getting into "oh hell no" territory? Or is there no guarantee?
 
 
Sorry, I should've said polygons, though you probably already knew what I meant. Also I've seen very detailed, even crazy lightsaber designs on here, like on the old Escape Yavin IV mod, thought it would be possible to make one of my own.