It's a weapon for an 11 year old boy that's what it is. My son has been making or using swords for a very long time. As he gets older they are getting more elaborate with better details. He has a weapons book that is frequently a source of inspiration.
Take one dowel, add some cardboard and wrap it with yarn. Judicious use of duct tape is must.
Take time to form your foam to make your sword blade. Think enough to provide cushioning, thing enough to not look horrible.
After applying the foam to either side of the dowel there was a space in either side that just didn't look right. Here is where some thin foam came into play.
The sword, unless swung with determined force, doesn't hurt when it hits, but is long enough that we need to be mindful of lamps, candles and overhead lights. :) I'm looking forward to the spring when I can use my scimitar the lad is going to make me, against the lad's sword. :)
The Lad is getting practical experience in how difficult it would be for students of the knightly arts to control what their sword was doing. He's built a sheath for it (needs a bit of fine tuning so no pictures allowed).
I love how my lad will spend hours creating, changing, adding, and learning about the armour and weapons of old. Doing STEM and not even realizing it. AND it works and works well. He's due for a refit of his chest-plate etc and he's gone through a growth spurt and is finding it just a tad bit tight now....
So tell me... would you want to face this young warrior in battle??
If my son has peaked your interest, some books that might appeal. Affiliate links used to help my family without cost to you.
We've only made swords once, they were more craft projects/props for playing and they broke on the first real swing LOL!
ReplyDeleteAlison, we have been through many renditions of swords in our house, the key is a GOOD dowel and foam... this is packing foam that the lad used. It works the best.
DeleteI think I need to dig out the instructions for duct tape swords that I got in a bundle a couple of years ago. Seeing your very serious knight makes me think that I have some girls that might enjoy being a knight for a day.
ReplyDeleteHe did good! - Lori
Ah Lori...it's much funner to make them from scratch! And they work better too! (at least that's what my lad says). The hardest part is in finding the foam.
DeleteHow fun! I love the creativity and how he keeps improving and refining his design. That's what good scientists and inventors do!
ReplyDeleteI know, the learning never stops, he figures new ways to rework it and make it better all the time. :)
DeleteOh my goodness, how fun! I'm sure the boys in my home would love it!
ReplyDeletethey most likely would! :) Get the ingredients and put them to work eh? :)
DeleteWow! A boy's dream come true. We tend to have a lot of accidents around our home between my son and husband - who play around quite a bit. I can see something getting broken ... or someone getting hurt. But I LOVE this idea! When James was younger he would have loved this. My daughter made a cardboard sword, helmet, and shield - colored them in and then put the helmet on my husband. It was awesome. Thanks for sharing and bringing back sweet memories for me!
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me smile Meredith, thanks
DeleteThose are pretty awesome. The foam is a nice touch. And I'm impressed by the armor: my kids have made some less-fancy stuff, and it's not easy! If he'd care to share some of his techniques, I'm sure my kids would be interested! We've had our share of cardboard and duct tape weapons here, too. My son just made a pilum the other day. His was pretty simple: a stick he spent some time on with his pocket knife, and some electrical tape. Sure is cool what they can do with even minimal supplies!
ReplyDeleteI will see what I can do about getting a tutorial up about how to make the armour.
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