How to build a sword out of wood, then make it look metal and battle-worn. This sword was made for a Nazgul costume for a Lord of the Rings Halloween.How to make a wood sword and make the wood look like metal | costume sword | halloween costume | cosplay | DIY How-to tutorial on weapon carving

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My husband needed a large sword for his Ringwraith costume, so he created a template to make a sword that matches The Lord of the Rings movie prop. He used the Witch King’s sword  for his pattern. This sword pattern could be used to make a sword for any character or costume, so he’s sharing his free printable pattern and how he made his 4-foot sword.A nazgul or ringwraith costume with a sword

Our whole family dressed up as characters from The Lord of the Rings, so be sure to check out our costumes here. And the Nazgul gauntlets made of foam here. Plus, there’s a video on how to make a simple shield here.

Nazgul Sword Supplies

Wood Cuts

  • 2×1/2-inch boards in pine or a soft wood
    • 40-inch length for the blade
    • 30-inch length for the crossguard
  • 2-inch round dowel for the handle, a 14-inch length

Other Supplies and Tools

How to Make a Wood Sword

Download the Sword Template

Print out the template and tape the parts together. This is a large sword, so it takes several pages to get the full length. Cut out each of the pattern pieces, then tape the blade template together by matching letters.

Print out the free sword template here

Cut Out the Sword

Cut the blade shape (2 inches x 40 inches) along the lines drawn on the blade. I used a bandsaw to cut out the shape.

Shape the Blade of the Sword

Put blue painters tape with the edge down the middle of the blade. Then sand the wood to knock off the square edge of the blade till it is half way along edge. Flip the blade over and do the same on the other side. I found the blue tape helped prevent sanding down other side so I could get a ridge down the middle of the blade. Don’t sand between section “G” and “F”.Sand a piece of wood to make the blade of a sword

Add Aluminum Tape to the Sword Blade

Use aluminum foil tape and apply it over the edge of the blade. This doesn’t have to be perfect but just cover all the parts of the wood. This makes the wood look metal. The blade with aluminum foil tape was very shiny and didn’t look right with my Nazgul costume. So I decided to us a wire brush to scratch up the blade. This added a lot of cool texture to the blade.How to make a wood sword look metal with aluminum tape

Add Age and Battle-wear to the Sword

The Blade still was too bright so I sprayed it with a light coat of black spray paint and wiped it down with steel wool. This wiped off the top layers of paint but kept some of the darker areas in the scratches.Make a shiny sword blade look worn and aged

Make the Sword Crossguard

Cut the wood for the crossguard into 2 pieces  that are 2 inches by 9.5 inches. Also cut two additional filler pieces that are 3.25 inches by 2 inches.Trace the sword template for the crossguard

Trace the template for the crossguard onto one of the longer piece of wood. Then place the other crossguard piece down on table and glue the two filler pieces on the outside edges. There should be enough space for the blade to fit snuggly between the filler pieces (Don’t glue blade yet). Then glue the second cross guard piece (with template drawn on it) on top the other parts. Then clamp all of the parts together and let it dry overnight.Glue and clamp the pieces for the wood sword crossguard

Cut and sand Crossguard

Once the glue is dry, cut along lines drawn on the Crossguard. Again, I used a bandsaw to cut. Once the shape is cut, sand the edges and face of wood until it is smooth.Attach the wood sword blade by inserting it in the crossguard hilt

Add Designs to the Crossguard

Using a glue gun, apply a bead around the edge of cross guard to create a design. Do this on both sides of the cross guard. Then spray paint a base coat of black spray paint over both sides.Add detail to the wood sword crossguard with glue gun glue

Make the Sword Handle

Cut the 2-inch round dowel to 14 inches long. Using a Dremel, sand paper, or a lathe, carve the dowel to be the shape of the template. Then sand to finish edges. Then apply hot glue around section “E and A” of the grip and pommel to create a decorative design.  Then apply a layer of black spray paint as a base coat.

Assembling the parts

Cut a notch in the top of the handle so that it slips over the crossguard. Next slip the blade through the hole in the crossguard and use wood glue to attach. Then slide the notch of the handle over the crossguard and use wood glue to connect these parts. Clamp everything and let it dry overnight.Assemble the pieces of the wood sword

Make the Sword Design Look Metal

Now the part I really love. Apply Rub and Buff in pewter or silver to the top edges of the hot glue gun bead on the crossguard and handle. The best way to make Rub and Buff work is to apply it with your finger then rub over it with a cloth to make the metal shine. That’s where the name comes from, first you “rub” it on, then you “buff” it to a shine.Paint with Rub n Buff to make wood look like metal

Cover the Sword Handle with Leather

Using paper, measure around section “B” & “D” and cut a paper templet for both areas to wrap leather around the grip. Use the template you just made to trace black leather and cut it out. Then wrap electrical tape around section “B” and “D” so the sticky side is out. This will help your leather to stick to the grip area. Then using some thread sew the edges of the leather to the grip.How to wrap the sword handle with leather

This photo shows a close-up of the finished sword hilt so you can see all three parts assembled together and finished.The wood sword hilt, including handle and crossguard

Click here to see the full Nagul or Ringwraith costume. You can read how to make the cloak here and how to make the gauntlets out of foam here. Plus, don’t forget to check out all of our other Lord of the Rings costumes here.

How to make a Nazgul or Ringwraith costume from The Lord of the Rings for Halloween or cosplay | Sword, gauntlets, and cloakHow to make costumes from the Lord of the Rings diy, including Frodo, Arwen, Galadriel, Eowyn, A Ringwraith | Costumes, accessories, and weapons | Cosplay | Halloween costume ideaHow to make a Galadriel crown with a glue gun that looks like silver | Halloween costume or cosplay | Elf costume crown | Lord of the RingsA Frodo costume for a toddler, including a glowing sword, a cloak, and the one ring | Halloween costume | Hobbit from The Lord of the RingsHow to make DIY Nazgul gloves for your Lord of the Rings costume or cosplay | Costume glove | foam gloves made to look like metal for a Halloween costume

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