Oblivion keyblade prop - Kingdom Hearts (how to)

My first prop for my first major cosplay/costume I made many many years ago. The keyblade prop was made directly after I finished Kingdom Hearts I. I was so enamored with the teaser called "Deep Dive" and had to make the costume of the character "blind Riku". Had so much fun with this costume. <3

SUPPLIES
Structure:

• wooden stake (one they would use for a lawn sign)
• wire (16 gauge, tie wire, usually in the gate area of a hardware store)
• thinner wire
• cardboard paper
• cheap mat board
• heavy duty staples (staple gun)
• hammer
• plastic chain links
• box material
• hot glue gun
• 2 - 2.5 inch note card ring

Paper mâché:

• news paper
• flour (I did use geso but that was a mistake. WAY TOO HEAVY)
• water

Paint:

• flat black spray paint
• color acrylics
• pearlescent paint (blue)
• satin finish clear acrylic spray paint

Step 1: Structure - part 1

Steps:

1. Took some paper and drew out the keyblade to actual size. I used butcher paper which is very useful for all sorts of things.
2. Laid the wooden stake in the middle of the keyblade drawing. It is to be where I can hold the prop without crushing it.
3. Created the wire edge of the keyblade following the drawing exactly.
4. As I crossed the wire over the wooden stake as I made the frame. Stapled it to the stake and hammered the staples later to strengthen the connection point.
5. Repeat #3 - #4 so that you will have a wire frame outlining the keyblade sketch/drawing for both the top and bottom.
6. Since the keyblade head has very sharp angles/edges I decided to cut out mat board to the shape and use that to sit on top of the wire frame. Worked very well. (Hind sight, I could have done that on the whole blade over the wire frame.)
7. At certain points I had to thread thin wire in and out long strips of card board to act as spaces between the top and bottom wire layers. (picture #2)
8. I also hot glue spacers made from rolled up box material between the edge of the blade and the wooden stake. (picture #2)

Comments

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Awesome! I love that you used wire to shape it all out. Looks like it gave you a lot more freedom in designing it and giving it a good structure!

[kieshar]

^___^ I would like to think so too. I was really pleased with the outcome. That wire, I used, I have had for some time and it is fantastic. Easy to bend but strong at the same time and dirt cheap.