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.
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You can make them with cardboard! Cool Katana & Swords (11–20)
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!
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!
Nichirin Sword (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba / Inosuke Hashibira)
Let’s try making the Nichirin swords of Inosuke Hashibira, a popular character from the anime Demon Slayer, using ordinary cardboard.
Inosuke’s swords with jagged blades are distinctive, right? In this video, a laser cutter is used to cut the serrated parts, but it’s fine to follow the template and cut them with a regular utility knife.
Since Inosuke is dual-wielding, make two and show them off to everyone at school! If you pass a rod through the part called the tsukanome (peg hole), you can even recreate “Beast Breathing, Tenth Fang: Circular Fangs.”
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?
Western sword
How about making an orthodox, simple-form Western sword as a summer vacation project? It’s designed so that the outer cardboard layers support each other, increasing strength.
The blade might be a bit challenging because you’ll attach many small cardboard pieces, but give it your best shot.
The plump, thick scabbard is also recreated realistically.
Wrapping string around the grip adds a Western feel.
It’s built sturdy, so you can play with it after you make it!
Lucifer’s Sword (Puzzle & Dragons)
How about making the sword of Super Reincarnated Seraph Lucifer from the popular game Puzzle & Dragons using everyday cardboard? If you make it for your summer vacation project, you’ll be the star of the class! The glowing parts are made by placing LED bulbs inside halved color balls, so it also works as a science project and is great for summer homework.
It’s a very large sword with lots of parts, so it might be nice to make it with a little help from Mom and Dad.
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.
Nichirin Sword (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba / Giyu Tomioka)
Why not try making a cardboard replica of Giyu Tomioka’s Nichirin Blade, a popular character’s sword from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba? While the form is simple, it faithfully recreates a proper sword that can be disassembled into four parts: scabbard, blade, guard, and handle.
You can buy cardboard at a home improvement store, but boxes from household appliances work just fine! The blade is reinforced with a bamboo skewer for added strength.
Despite its simple design, the engraved characters “Akki Messatsu” (Annihilate Evil Demons) really stand out.
It’s a perfect project for summer vacation—give it a try!
Nichirin Sword (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba / Shinobu Kocho)
Why not try recreating the Nichirin Blade of Shinobu Kocho, the cool and composed fan-favorite from Demon Slayer, using cardboard? The guard, habaki, and scabbard are adorned with wisteria—the symbol of Shinobu—resulting in a gorgeous sword! Since it’s a relatively slender blade, reinforce the core of the blade with a wooden rod.
It also faithfully replicates details from the anime, such as adding a hole in the tip cap for the poison.
Make it as a summer vacation project and stand out in your class!
Kusanagi Sword (NARUTO — Sasuke Uchiha)
Let’s try crafting the Kusanagi Sword that Sasuke has in the hugely popular anime NARUTO.
You can make it with everyday items like cardboard, a utility knife, and glue, so it’s perfect for a summer vacation craft project! It’s great that you can download the templates for free, too.
The cardboard parts aren’t overly elaborate, so it seems easy enough for elementary school kids to make! You can also make a scabbard to sheath the sword, so why not play by drawing the sword coolly like Sasuke? You can show it off to your school friends as well.