Sword Making : Help

randomskittless

New Member

• Mar 29, 2017

• #1

I need to make a sword to go with one of my cosplay (Lady Marian from the BBC Robin Hood TV series) and I'm not sure how to go about it.
In the end, I want something like THIS to be what I make -

I was thinking about using a small wooden dowel for a core, using that as the hilt and support for the sword and then covering it in foam to build the shape of the sword itself;
but overall I'm not too sure.

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated!

- Chloe

 

cjchiu

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Mar 29, 2017

• #2

I would check out some of Punished Prop's and Evil Ted Smith's tutorials on YouTube. Your basic plan seems reasonable to me.

 

bookface

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Mar 29, 2017

• #3

Seems like the way to go for anything you want to wear as part of a costume and therefore to conventions or similar. Probably a 5-6mm wooden dowel for the blade, mated to a larger dowel for the grip, and build everything on top from there.

 

Zinger

Active Member

• Mar 29, 2017

• #4

Evil Ted has a 3 part video tutorial on making a very large foam sword. All three parts are here.

http://eviltedsmith.com/videos/

He does pretty much exactly what you proposed.

 

W

wthurlow

New Member

• Mar 29, 2017

• #5

so adam savage has a video on making a sword, its not close to what you want to make, but it will give you great ideas heres the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcDCZ2TmTck

also id watch this one as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1--0DLJv-8

the aluminum tape is fricken amazing. I've used it many times to create an effect to simulate metal. its cheap and you can buff it to an amazing shine.

So in summary if your looking for realism go with a wooden sword. heres a few links they are very inexpensive, buy it and make it look real. you'll thank me in the long run!~

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-3339-single-hand-medieval-wooden-sword.aspx
https://www.thehemashop.com/single-handed-wooden-waster

 

Zinger

Active Member

• Mar 29, 2017

• #6

Always check the weapons policy of the cons you plan to attend. Some don't allow wooden weapons, so foam is a safer bet.

 

G

GatorDave113

Jr Member

• Mar 29, 2017

• #7

Mat foam and dowels are definitely how I would do it. If you're looking for that mirrored finish aluminum tape is amazing, but be careful where you place your over laps, aim for the natural high points of the flats and also the cutting edges, it seems tedious at the time but you will thank yourself later. If you run into any snags just post here and you should get help almost immediately. please post pics of your progress! You've got this!

 

jblakey

Well-Known Member

• Apr 10, 2017

• #8

I would suggest taking a look around first at what plastic / replica sword are available. You could start off with something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-T...TF8&qid=1491836108&sr=8-1&keywords=poly+sword

or this...

http://www.partycity.ca/product/won...n+of+justice.do?sortby=ourPicks&navSet=279861

or something like this (but it's much more expensive)

http://casiberia.com/product/palnatoke-great-sword-brass-color/lp0101
http://casiberia.com/product/larp-footman-sword-steel/lp0070

One of these might make a good base to start with...

Thanks,
jason

 

F

feide

Well-Known Member

• Apr 10, 2017

• #9

Instead of a wooden dowel I would go with a fiberglass rod. Check out driveway reflectors at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

Nasedo

Active Member

• Apr 10, 2017

• #10

The new season of Forged in Fire starts tomorrow on History Channel.

 

progolfercd

Member

• Apr 11, 2017

• #11

Volpin has a great tutorial for building Cassandra's sword from Soul Caliber. His guide is a great starting point.