How to Make a Buster Sword

How to Make Zack’s Buster Sword
Total Cost: Around $10
Time(for my own sword, will vary) : 4 hours for the body, 3 days for the paint, 1 hour for the details

Step One:  
-Find a piece of plywood at a hardware store (Home Depot or Lowes works)
*Make sure that the plywood, when standing up, reaches to at least your shoulder*
-The dimensions of the plywood will vary per person, but rectangle sized ones are good
*IMPORTANT!!!* MAKE SURE THAT THE PLYWOOD IS NOT TOO BILLOWED! (Billowed, meaning the wood curves).

Step Two:
-Purchase spray paint for the sword.
-I recommend black matte, silver, and (you may have to go to an art supply store for this one) a gold paint pen.

Step Three:
-Start by drawing out the plan for your sword whether it be on the wood or on a piece of paper.
-> There are no specific dimensions of the sword, but have the handle reach up to about your shoulder, and have the edge of one of your swords cutting down on a diagonal to give it a point.
*You don’t have to be proportional! This is a Final Fantasy Weapon!*

Step Four:
-Once you have your measurements, cut out the shape of the sword using a jigsaw (It’s the power tool with the circular blade
*VERY IMPORTANT!!* IF YOU WANT TO HAVE CIRCLES CUT INTO THE SWORD LIKE ZACK’S DOES, USE A KEYHOLE SAW, BUT GO VERY SLOWLY
-The handle should be a skinny rectangle from the top of the sword, but don’t worry about it right now.

Step Five:
-Not time to paint yet. Sand down the plywood VERY WELL so that when you are handling the sword it will not give you splinter.
*Make sure to get the edges of the sword as well. And the other side!
*You may sand down the handle, but it will be wrapped with cloth later
-After you have sanded, run your hand (gently, please) along the surface of the sword. If there are any dips or blemishes in the wood, fill it with caulk, and then sand over the caulk.

Step Six:
-Tape off the areas of the buster sword into:
-> Handle
-> Base
-> Edge
-This works best with painters tape.
*I recommend taping newspaper sheets over the section of the sword you are not painting. It helps if there is a wind factor outside where you are spray painting, and helps for large spray areas.
-I recommend at least two coats of paint, you can do more if you wish.

Step Seven:
-Use the gold paint/paint pen to add details along the sword and for the hilt near the handle.

Step Eight:
-I promise I haven’t forgotten the handle! Place two scrap pieces of wood on both side of the handle, and glue together.
*Super glue, Gorilla glue, or jet glue all work very well.
-This adds for support so that when you are holding the sword, it will not be too heavy.

Step Nine:
-Wrap cloth around the handle and glue when you are done. This adds comfort for when you are holding the sword and adds to the realism.

I hope this guide has helped you to make your very own Buster Sword! They are so much FUN!

Other important notes:

*YOU DO NOT HAVE TO USE SPRAY PAINT!* Regular paint works just as well :3
*Buster swords MAY be a bit heavy, do not fear
*Please, Please, Please don’t swing your sword around at people. They are top heavy and WILL hurt someone!

~If you have any more questions, please note me~