Potentially very dangerous build! High voltage!

[calisse]

So I've finally decided to undertake my first build: a Chaos Sorcerer power sword from the Warhammer 40k universe, not Horus Heresy era, modeled after the video game "dawn of war 2: retribution."

reference image with some bad forshortening here: http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net...sion/latest?cb=20101106235145&path-prefix=dow

I love the tuning-fork-esque look, and figured I could have some fun designing the hilt, etc.

The potentially very dangerous part of this build is that I had the idea of creating a Jacob's ladder ( For the uninitiated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vd7FV_UKCU ) in the middle of the tuning fork shape. I have 2 questions for the more electrically minded among y'all:

1: Is this idea so wildly dangerous to myself and everyone around me when I turn it on that I should burn all the drawings and diagrams I've already made?

2: Would this even be possible without drastically changing the shape of the sword?

 

[Psicorp7]

I cannot think of a single con or cosplay contest that would let you anywhere near them with a Jacobs Ladder!

I would use low voltage EL wire to get the same look in a much safer manner.

 

[calisse]

I figured as much, but hope springs eternal. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Rogviler]

To expand:

1) Potentially lethal if you touch the exposed electrodes.

2) Large power requirements that would make it necessary for a long and heavy-duty extension cord to become part of the costume.

3) We had one onstage during a college theater production and it caught fire midway through the show. So there's that, if nothing else. Think of the children!

-Rog