In this instructable, I will show you how to make your own PVC wakizashi wielded by the people of Nihon Ja in John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series. A wakizashi is traditionally a Japanese weapon worn in a sash around the waist.

Supplies

2-foot long piece of 3/4-inch PVC pipe
3/4-inch PVC pipe end-cap
tape measure
permanent marker
propane torch
bench vise
band saw
pewter gray acrylic paint
metallic gold acrylic paint
paint brushes
tire inner tube
220 grit sandpaper
PVC pipe cement

Step 1: Flattening the Pipe

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Step 2: Cutting and Painting the Blade

Shape the end of your flattened pipe into a pointed blade on the band saw. Then paint the blade pewter gray with acrylic paint.

Step 3: Making the Handle

Cut up the inner tube to make a long 1/2-inch wide rubber strip. Wrap it over the handle slightly overlapping. Make sure to leave 1/2-inch on the end of the handle for the pommel.

Step 4: Making the Pommel

Take a 3/4-inch PVC pipe end cap, and lightly sand its surface to make the paint stick to it. Adhere the end cap to the end of the handle using PVC pipe cement. Then paint the end cap with metallic gold acrylic paint.