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Step 6Step 6: Have fun
Take the time to go over the finished sword and sand any sharp edges.
Feel free to finish the wood anyway you want. I mostly don't finish the swords unless I wax them.
You can also shape the hilt to be more comfortable to hold (whittle, sand, etc.) and also cover them. I've used leather (one piece cut and sewn to fit and even strips) and even Gorilla duct tape. An old belt will work.
JUST ADDED - I just tried a new way to wrap the handles. I used a piece of old heavy wool blanket and wrapped it around the handles with black cotton hockey tape (any sporting goods store that sells hockey equipment will sell you some. I bought three rolls for $6.99 from Dicks Srorting Goods and used one roll to wrap twelve sword handles, with some tape still on the roll.
As you can see I also make longer swords. All four of my kids enjoy using them (And their friends!) from my 13 year old down to the 3 year old, although her "two-handed" sword is much smaller.
If you have a lot of young relatives, consider making a batch of these for Christmas. These also make nice "craft fair" items for the holidays. The process lends itself very well to making multiples at the same time. You can take a few minutes for each sword and personalize the pommel and crossguard.
Enjoy!
Feel free to finish the wood anyway you want. I mostly don't finish the swords unless I wax them.
You can also shape the hilt to be more comfortable to hold (whittle, sand, etc.) and also cover them. I've used leather (one piece cut and sewn to fit and even strips) and even Gorilla duct tape. An old belt will work.
JUST ADDED - I just tried a new way to wrap the handles. I used a piece of old heavy wool blanket and wrapped it around the handles with black cotton hockey tape (any sporting goods store that sells hockey equipment will sell you some. I bought three rolls for $6.99 from Dicks Srorting Goods and used one roll to wrap twelve sword handles, with some tape still on the roll.
As you can see I also make longer swords. All four of my kids enjoy using them (And their friends!) from my 13 year old down to the 3 year old, although her "two-handed" sword is much smaller.
If you have a lot of young relatives, consider making a batch of these for Christmas. These also make nice "craft fair" items for the holidays. The process lends itself very well to making multiples at the same time. You can take a few minutes for each sword and personalize the pommel and crossguard.
Enjoy!
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I have been doing stage combat for 2 years now and I know a functional practice sword and dagger when I see one. We use stage steel blades for actual combat and for new members we used wooden and polypropaline blades. These are really nicely crafted blades you have here.
If you ever were up for donating a few of them let me know, I'd be glad to have them in my troupe.
Kind Regards,
Jake
Kaji952000@yahoo.com
it may be more in line with what you're looking for (Don't thank me for the link, it's the same one Jake Tobak suggested earlier in this thread).
Have fun!