You can make them with cardboard! Cool katanas & swords
Many of you have probably made crafts out of cardboard as part of summer vacation homework or everyday play, right?
Among those, something boys often want to try making at least once is a katana or sword, isn’t it?
With the popularity of the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Nichirin Blades also drew attention!
Why not try making a cardboard katana or sword, either for kids’ pretend battles or as a hobby for adults?
If you’re particular about the details, it will take time and patience, but for kids there are versions you can make quickly.
Focusing on painting could be fun too!
- For summer vacation homework! Simple and amazing crafts for elementary school students that you’ll want to make after seeing them
- [Origami] Cool DIY Ideas for Paper Shuriken
- Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make
- Craft ideas using plastic bottle caps [for boys]
- Toys you can make from cardboard crafts! Authentic ideas you can build and play with
- Elementary school kids will be hooked! A collection of fun craft ideas using disposable chopsticks
- DIY science projects that elementary school boys will love: ideas you can make with everyday materials
- Let's make toys out of cardboard! Easy and fun handmade toys
- [For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! A Collection of Summer Vacation Craft Ideas
- Crafts parents and kids can enjoy together. Recommended craft ideas to keep children entertained.
- For upper-grade boys! Simple yet awesome craft project [Don’t call it lazy]
- [Handmade] Let's play with shuriken! A collection of homemade target practice ideas
- [I don't want to be like everyone else!] Recommended independent research topics for high school students
You can make them with cardboard! Cool Swords & Blades (1–10)
Nichirin Sword (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba / Tanjiro Kamado)
We’ve made a highly realistic replica of Tanjiro, the protagonist from the smash-hit anime Demon Slayer, his Nichirin sword out of cardboard! By peeling off the top layer of the cardboard to expose the lighter surface, we’ve recreated the hamon (blade pattern).
We’ve also layered the cardboard for strength and paid close attention to details like the tsuba (guard) shape and the tsukamaki (handle wrapping)! In this video, we make use of the natural color of the cardboard, but you can also paint it to express your own style.
Why not try making one for a summer vacation project?
Reverse-blade sword (Rurouni Kenshin)
How about making Kenshin’s reverse-blade sword from Rurouni Kenshin out of cardboard? Despite being cardboard, it’s crafted with delicate, meticulous details that could be mistaken for the real thing.
The blade’s strength is enhanced by inserting a wooden stick between layers of cardboard.
The tsuka-maki (handle wrapping) is realistically represented by wrapping thin, elongated strips of cardboard.
It looks cool as plain cardboard, but you might also enjoy painting it for a custom finish!
Minecraft sword
Let’s try making a distinctive sword from the popular game Minecraft—where you can enjoy survival gameplay and building with blocks—using cardboard.
In the video, it’s designed to transform, but even without the transforming feature, it still looks really cool! The key is stacking multiple layers of cardboard to add strength.
By attaching square-cut cardboard pieces to the surface, you can faithfully recreate the game’s aesthetic.
If you make it as a summer vacation project, you’re sure to stand out in class!
You can make them with cardboard! Cool Katana & Swords (11–20)
Excalibur (Fire Force / Arthur Boyle)
Let’s try crafting the Excalibur of Knight King Arthur Boyle from the popular anime Fire Force out of cardboard! The construction is simple—stacking many identical parts—but by installing a black light inside the blade, it glows for a cool finish.
We’ll use “pladan,” a plastic corrugated board that lights up under black light.
With this method, it seems you can make it lighter and simpler than using LEDs.
A glowing sword is something everyone dreams of! Make it as a summer vacation project and you’re sure to become the star of your class.
Ash’s sword (Apex Legends)
Let’s try crafting Ash’s sword from the battle royale game Apex Legends out of cardboard! You can faithfully recreate the sword’s cool, dynamic, and distinctive shape.
The build allows the blade to slide back and forth, and by using glue sticks you can add a UV light-reactive effect that glows under a UV lamp.
The template is available as a free download.
It may take some effort, but the sense of accomplishment makes it a great option for a summer vacation project.
Give it a try!
Dai’s Sword (Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai)
How about making Dai’s Sword from Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai out of cardboard? You can craft the kind of sword boys dream of using everyday materials like cardboard and glue.
The design is simple, but the shape screams “hero’s sword” and looks really cool.
Using a wooden dowel as the core adds strength, so it’ll hold up for play afterward.
Wrapping the grip with vinyl tape makes it water-resistant, which is a nice touch.
The decorations might take a bit of effort, but we’ve paid attention to details like the dragon crest, so why not make it your summer vacation project?
Cardboard sword that can shoot rubber bands
How about making a cardboard sword that can shoot rubber bands—fun for both adults and kids? It’s also great for a summer vacation project! Since you can use cardboard you have at home, it’s easy to give it a try.
Thicker cardboard from boxes that hold 2-liter bottles is recommended.
Cut the cardboard according to the template and glue the pieces together.
The part that hooks the rubber bands is delicate, so build it carefully.
The sword looks cool on its own, but the fact that you can actually play with it as a rubber band gun is a big bonus.