Adding a guard to a bokken

[Animematt55]

Ok, so i am making a cosplay sword and need to attatch a gaurd to a bokken (wooden sword). Since I am cosplaying as Ichigo Kurosaki, the guard will need to be shaped like a maji.
So my question is how to make said guard, and how to attach it.

[Suki]

I don't understand why you are using a bokken. It's going to be harder sticking on a tsuba than on a cheapo display sword.
Find some maji pendants and just stick it on.

[Animematt55]

What do you suggest using?
I mean the bokken is the shape i need and all....

[Dan]

Language police. Its Bouken, not bokken. Even boken could be acceptable.

And what is a "maji", do you mean "manji"? (as in like a swastika)

But on topic - if you're pressed for time or are limited in money or craftsmanship, you can easily get some plywood and...

make 2 semicircles to fit around the sword for a basic guard, then drawing out four "L" shapes, wood glue them to the tops of the semicircles. if you want it to be thicker, make more shapes and layer them. Then wood glue everything to the sides of the sword, finishing with a wood stain to match the color.

This isnt the most sturdy or attractive idea, but it will certainly get the job done and last for much more than one con's weekend. Its possible that with a finished sword, it wont even have any lasting damage if you plan to remove the guard afterwards. Anything other than that is probably out of the realm of amateur carpentry. Good luck!

[Animematt55]

i ahve plenty of time...the con is in March....

[Dan]

i ahve plenty of time...the con is in March....

Um, you're welcome?

[Animematt55]

thanks ^^
Is there soemthign i could use that is more sturdy? Like hardwood or metal?
The hardest thign i think would be geting it to fit onto the correct part of the sword and holding it there.

[Dan]

thanks ^^
Is there soemthign i could use that is more sturdy? Like hardwood or metal?
The hardest thign i think would be geting it to fit onto the correct part of the sword and holding it there.

Well, like I said, anything further would take more carpentry skills and resources than the average person has available.

Working with something narrow like a sword is especially hard, because making any cuts or holes INTO in will likely split it, ending in a total failure. If you have a good drill, I would reccomend drilling small holes across the sword (UNEVENLY, you dont want them to intersect or be too close or it will split or collide).

Then, make your "L" shape blocks to your preffered size, and drill slightly into them. Then fill all holes with wood/super glue. Last, get thin metal bars (easy to find at model/hardware stores) and feed them through the sword, ending in the "L" blocks. Wipe off any glue runoff. Once it all dries, your pretty sturdy.

The hard parts with this method is trying to make your holes about the EXCT same length as the metal bars you'll feed through. Also, making the edges of the "L" blocks SLIGHTLY curved on the side that touches the sword so it sits perfectly. Probably not a hard job for a pro, but for us, it would take some effort.

I drew a diagram, but dont know how to upload it.

[Animematt55]

How about making the guard, out of wood or metal (propably wood cause it is easy to carve) and then placing it on the sword (hole carved in the center of the guard) Use glue to hold it, along with song thick rubber stoppers....

[Dan]

that could work, but my only hesitation would be that boken are typically a little curved, right? That would make it hard to get a good seal around the hilt. If you brought it up from the bottom, you could probably avoid that problem for the most part, but it still wouldnt seal perfectly.

Also, a WHOLE guard carved out of one piece of wood? You've really got your work cut out for you there. If you just split in in two semi circles like I originaly suggested, you might find it easier to get a good seal.

No matter what you do, I dont see this being easy. Craigslisting for a art school carpenter student may run you about $30-70, but could yeild amazing results. Ive gotten some GREAT custom made masks that way.

[Animematt55]

well, i have carved things in woodshop liek that. THey have tools to do it that make it very easy.
And the boken is only cureved near the top...like a katana...it is straight at the bottom.

[Chef Wun]

Then it should be easy enough to do it like that then,

By the way if you're making Ichigo's Tensa Zangetsu have you got a way to do the hilt wrap and Chain tassel?

[Animematt55]

Then it should be easy enough to do it like that then,

By the way if you're making Ichigo's Tensa Zangetsu have you got a way to do the hilt wrap and Chain tassel?
i got the chain tassel on it. I took an eye ring and stuff and screwed it into the botton. Then hooked on a short chain....
Hilt wrap? does it have one? I thought it was totally black.

[Chef Wun]

It looks either Leather or Black Cloth.

Its black with red diamonds on it. You need to make the hilt red then wrap the two pieces of black fabric in opposite directions leaving gaps for the diamonds. not sure how to stick them on. You could staple them but it would look un-neat.

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/28/untitledfl1.jpg

[Animematt55]

It looks either Leather or Black Cloth.

Its black with white diamonds on it. You need to make the hilt white then wrap the two pieces of black fabric in opposite directions leaving gaps for the diamonds. not sure how to stick them on. You could staple them but it would look un-neat.
ah i see i see.
well that may be alightly more difficult then. Will black electrical tape work? LoL

[Chef Wun]

Well if it doesn't it should be easy to remove. Try gooling it.