Easy DIY Cosplay and LARP Anime Swords for Sale
Posted by SwordsSwords on Jun 24th 2020
Anime is an expansive multimedia phenomenon that has inspired many fans globally. The immersive effect of these shows is quite visible when one looks at the fan-followings. At every cosplay or fan-convention, the anime fanatics rule the crowd with their innovative costumes, weaponry, and adaptation. The dual mediums of manga and animated shows pacify all sorts of audiences. People who love a particular show or character like to emulate their style and mannerism during cosplay. Of course, weaponry like anime swords and knives are an essential part of this. anime swords for sale on different platforms also help this process.
Anime swords are the most beloved trope in this genre. Give a character any blade that can rip enemies into shreds and can hold magical secrets and you have a memorable weapon. Anime swords for sale are an essential part of cosplay and LARPing. One cannot pay tribute to any character without honoring their weaponry first.
However, buying several functional or ready-made anime swords for sale can put quite a dampener on one’s budget. The most economical solution to this problem is making the required blade at home. We are not suggesting that you start to shape and grind steel. Foam and cardboard are perfectly suitable materials for your cosplay crafting project. In this way, you can also customize the size and dimensions of the desired blade according to your wishes.
LARPing and Cosplay are not the only reasons to learn the art of DIY sword making. It is also essential for making props during stage plays, or to get started on your sword practice as a beginner. However, you can check out some great deals on anime swords before you gear up to make your own.
What you need for recreating Anime Swords for sale
- Foam Sheets with 1/4" and 1/16" thickness
- Chunks of soft foam of different sizes from mattress or packing foam
- Masking and duct tape as per requirement. Electrical and Aluminum tape optional
- Double-sided tape
- Scotch tape
- Acrylic or poster paint as required
- Superglue with glue gun optional
- Foam glue
- A 1/4" diameter plastic or carbon fiber rod of the required length
- Knife
- Scissors
- Saw
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Paintbrushes/sponges
Process
Designing
It is a fundamental rule of all DIY projects that one should draw and envisage the product on a paper before starting construction. Select your required sword and study it carefully. You can download high-quality images and get more information on the internet about the product. Note down the dimension and angles of the blade and draw a prototype. According to this blueprint, gather all essential supplies. This step is necessary because it will enable you to get the finished product just right. Then you need to figure out the order in which you will execute all the necessary steps. This is essential as well as it determines whether you will prep all the materials first or just go step by step. It also determines the schedule of product completion from a span of a day to months.Foam Cutting
All the foam you gathered is going to come in handy during this step. Collect it all in a single place and pick out the pieces most useful to your vision. The smaller chunks will be perfect canvases to make any blade protrusions or cross guard elements. You can also intricately cut them to make the pommel more fashionable. Wear gloves during this step to avoid accidental nick and cuts. You can either use an electric knife or heated blade for this step. Simple, room temperature knives won’t be able to cut smoothly through the foam. Sleek, uniform cuts are essential for beautiful anime swords. The next step is to cut the blade itself from the biggest foam piece. There are two ways to accomplish this. You can cut out a piece of cardboard with accurate blade dimensions and then cut the foam through this stencil. Many crafters simply paste the cardboard on the foam and cut around it. It also gives a sturdier base to the sword. The second way is drawing a stencil on the foam with a pencil and ruler. Then, the heated blade can cut over the lines.
Taping
Duct-tape and double-sided tape are used to attach the pieces of the sword. One can even wrap the whole foamy blade in duct tape to facilitate an even surface for painting.
Handle and Guard
The same principles of blade-making are used while fashioning the handle and the guard. Foam pieces or cardboard are optimal for a strong handle. However, the best option is cutting a piece of solid tubing or a pipe with a hacksaw according to your required handle length. Then, insert this pipe into the blade foam and secure it with tape and hot glue. Tape over the handle and ensure its sturdiness.Paint the blade
This is one of the most fun parts of the whole process. Get a high-resolution picture of your required sword and copy the paint and designs on it. The acrylic colors with a metallic shine are the best to reflect a steel construction. Wait for the paint to dry properly before applying a second coat and then let it dry again.