Cardboard Katana -101- (tutorial)

[Thevina]

i'm so happy for this topic! Now I can begin working on my sword for Mugen!

[Beryl]

What's a few months' lateness between friends?

Originally Posted by Diablobasher

I dont have a glue gun though, is PVA good enough? Obviously it would be much slower, but i was just wondering if its usable. If not i work at a place i can easily attain a gluegun when i get paid.

Not sure - not familiar with PVA.

The hot glue imparts a few special properties. First of all, it's a bitch and a half to cut through (lol). I guess we could file that under "negative properties".

But it's... gooey-ness really helps. If you're to be following Featherweight's instructions to a T, you'll be using Hot Glue to form the edge of the blade. Hot Glue is a thermoplastic. You melt the plastic, apply it, and when it cools, it's solid in the shape you left it. It's these properties that allow it to work for the edge. I don't know of any other glue that could be "built up" to create a new surface.

Originally Posted by Diablobasher

What thickness would you recommend for a standard Katana? The tutorial says about 15 squares of cardboard, giving for about 3 layers. But the cardboard im using must be super thin or something, 3 layers of it comes out at 3/16's of an inch.

What thickness would you recomend for a regular sized sword?

Three layers of cardboard is supposed to come out to 3/16". Notice that the dowel used is also 3/16" in diameter. This is no coincidence.

This is suitable for a "standard katana". Not sure what other kinds of katanas there are... but I digress. Katanas in real life are much thinner than 3/16". Three layers of cardboard produces a decent thickness, without being bulky or flimsy.

So, I'm not sure what you mean by "regular sized sword" - that's what this tutorial is designed for.

[Yume Yokohama]

Hi everyone =3 I plan to make Chachamaru’s (Negima) robotic ears out of cardboard. I'm not really sure about how to go about making them. Also how do I make them look less flat after cutting out the shape. I mean I know the robotic ears are flat but how do I make them look more real looking.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...-blogthumb.png

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...hamarufull.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...maruphoto3.jpg

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...amaruX3423.jpg

[chibi_kitsune]

Wow, i'm suprised at how nice a cardboard katana/weapson can be.

I can use some of the tutorials for one of mu costumes. Thanks, this should be very helpful and can probably save me money too.

[ako_pah]

I use your method but I use styrofoam instead of cardboard..........u rock featherweight

THANK A LOT...............

http://www.cosplay.com/photo/1567714/

[Regalo20XX]

I'm lovin this tutorial and thanks very much for sharing your prop wisdom with us. I have a couple questions about the longsword part.

Do I have to cut a hole in the center of the blade to put the dowel in?
Does the blade have to be made out of one single piece of giant cardboard?
Are you going to make a tutorial for Rebellion from DMC? Or at least just how to make the skull, bones and hilt?
Thanks.

[featherweight]

Originally Posted by Regalo20XX

I'm lovin this tutorial and thanks very much for sharing your prop wisdom with us. I have a couple questions about the longsword part.

Do I have to cut a hole in the center of the blade to put the dowel in?
Does the blade have to be made out of one single piece of giant cardboard?
Are you going to make a tutorial for Rebellion from DMC? Or at least just how to make the skull, bones and hilt?
Thanks.

awensers in order. no. no. no. sort of but probly own;t get done till next year.

[Kuro89]

hy, well first of all: sorry if my english is not so well. I'm from germany and my englishteacher wasn't the best.

The I have a question. I want to build Hitsugayas Hyourinmaru for my next cosplay, but I dont realy get how to make the edge.

I have drawn a picture and dont know which way is right. hope you could help me ^^;

http://kuroikimono.ku.ohost.de/Point10-12.bmp

[Beryl]

The one on the right is correct.

The center piece of the cardboard should remain intact, if I'm not mistaken.

[thezeronumber]

*Subscribes to topic*

Another one i have found it seems. I also did the same for the card-helm thread, which has been helping me plan ideas for the 'Grey Fox' aka 'Frank Jageur' helm and given a new look on my theories.

Alas, this topic will also help for the Katana which Mr.Jageur uses, despite myself owning a real Samurai Sword which would suffice anyway with a few temporary alterations! But i guess that isn't exactly the safest prop now is it? XD

[J.Kazama]

Dude...I worship on the althar of your greatness!! Thanks for sharing your awesomeness!

[speedygaara]

wow!! that is awesome!!!

one day i hope to do this !!!!!!
thanks for sharing!!!

[Niccypippy]

for the rukia sword did u use the same length of cardboard as ur tutorial?

[kh_soriku]

Nice Katana tutorial. I plan on making a custom made kingdom hearts katana with your tutorial. I also made a kingdom key with one of your tutorials. Keep up the good work god of cardboard.

[tsukinohime3]

I have a few questions and I started scanning this thread. about 5 pages in, I noticed just how LONG this thread is, did a search, came up empty, so I'm apologizing ahead of time if this has already been answered. ^^;

1. Is Painter's caulk a good substitute for hot glue in places like the blade and the hole for the dowel? I've got more experience smoothing caulk and I wonder if it would be stronger...?


2. Is it absolutely necessary to have multiple squares of cardboard laid out in step one? Like, if I were to find a giant piece of cardboard that was long enough to make the sword I want in one piece, would that be sufficient? I'm wondering if the glue between the seams somehow adds more strength and rigidity or something.