Need some ideas/help with a really big sword prop...

[vaderbreath]

I'm going to be doing a Bible-type movie centered around the sword of Goliath. He was around nine feet tall, and it's the sword that David used to cut Goliath's head off.

I have no idea where to start. I don't have the money for a real sword, and I'm just not sure where to begin. The design would be pretty simple, and I would do the weathering (the one thing I'm decent at). So, if anyone has any ideas on how to create a large sword, I'm open for suggestions. Thanks, everyone!

 

[jcoffman99]

You could use a wood core covered with with styrene. It would be easy to weather that way.

 

[vaderbreath]

Hmmm, hadn't thought of overlaying wood with styrene. The wood idea had obviously come up, but I wasn't sure how to make it look convincingly metal. That may work. Anyone have designs that would fit that era? (And thank you jcoffman99 for your reply!)

 

[Jaruemalak]

You could spray the sword with spray adhesive, and then stick on aluminum foil, shiny side out. If you rub it down with cloth, it will remain very shiny and look fine, except in a full screen close up. We did that for Excalibur in a theater production of Camelot, and it looked great from the audience.

For the handle, make it out of wood, then either wrap it with leather cord, or some rawhide... and for crying out loud, do NOT buy the rawhide from a leather store! Just go to a pet store and buy a big, rawhide bone for a dog and soak it in water so you can loosen the knots they make the ends out of. Wrap the handle with the rawhide wet and let it dry. Use gold or black paint on the wood parts of the handle. This should make an impressive sword at very little cost.

 

[BlindSquirrel]

I've been making swords by sandwiching 1/4" poplar over a 5/16" steel rod. Seal the wood with shellac then sand and putty for a smooth finish.

 

[Bilbo Baggins]

“And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? For I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste. And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me” (1 Samuel 21:8,9).

 

[Chiok]

I'm not really "up" on the historical accuracies of swords, but I would guess at some claymore-like; big, fat, long, double edged. Though I think Romans and Greeks were mostly into single-handed swords (for someone Goliath sized, double-handed for David size).

I'd also go with wood core (broomstick or the like), padded out with PU foam and covered in styrene or the like. I've also seen big resin casts with aluminium powder (it's a really long mould so careful with the bubbles). The handle idea by Jaruemalak is a really good tip. The guard would be a pretty simple and short like a Gladiator sword, and a ball-like pommel.

These are just my ponderings of course. Perhaps find a Greek or Roman sword that you like the look of and scale it up for 9ft tall people. Have a very FFVII look to it.

 

[MooCriket]

I'm going to be doing a Bible-type movie centered around the sword of Goliath. He was around nine feet tall, and it's the sword that David used to cut Goliath's head off.

All the best with your work. Please issue updates:thumbsup

 

[vaderbreath]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm going to start drawing up plans and see what I can come up with. I'll keep you all updated as much as I can!