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The bugle has been sounded––it's time for battle. You don't have a real sword, but don't let that stop you. It's paper to the rescue! If you want to try a fancy method, you can fold an origami sword. For a quick and easy alternative, use rolled newspaper and tape. Whatever method you choose, a paper sword will have you dueling in no time!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Folding a Small Origami Sword

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    Place the paper pretty-side-up. Fold the square inward along the diagonal, crease, and unfold. Repeat this for the second diagonal. You now should have two creases in the shape of an X on your square of paper. [1]
    • You can use origami paper that’s 10 inches by 10 inches (25cm by 25 cm). That’s the largest size of origami paper normally sold.
    • As you make each fold, run your fingernail or a creasing tool, such as a bone folder, along the crease. This will make each fold sharp and crisp, giving a clean, professional finished shape.
    • You can also make your sword bigger by using a bigger square of paper. The bigger your paper, the bigger your sword!
  2. That is, a corner is facing down towards you, and another corner is facing away. The colored or patterned side of the origami should be face up, and the plain side should face the table. [2]
    • If your paper looks the same on both sides, don’t worry--you can still create the sword! It’s just a little easier when the sides look different.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    The corner tips should meet in the center of the paper. Crease both folds firmly. [3]
    • Once you’ve done this, flip the model over. Now your folds are facing the table. Your model should look like an elongated hexagon. [4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    The long edges should meet at the center. As you fold them in, a triangle of paper will pop out on either side of your model. [5]
    • If the triangles don't pop out, but instead bend around the back of your model, just unfold them so they stick out.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    Crease the fold firmly with your nail. Your model should now be a very long elongated hexagon, with alternating colors of triangles and diamonds. [6]
    • The colors will not be alternating if your paper is the same color on both sides.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    Now you should have a crease going across the middle of your model. Your model will look like four diamonds stacked vertically, with triangles on the side. [7]
    • This crease will help line up later folds.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    The pointed tip of the paper you just folded should line up with the tip of the top diamond. Crease your fold firmly. [8]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    See where you creased the center of the whole model a few steps ago. Use that as the line to fold back your top piece of paper, which you folded up in the last step. You will now have a long part of your model and a short part of your model. [9]
    • The long part of your model will become the blade, and the short part will become the handle or hilt.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    The edges will meet in the middle. Crease each side firmly. [10]
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    As the edges fold inward they will make small triangles of paper form. Flatten these crisply. This is called a squash fold. You should see the hilt of the sword starting to form. [11]
    • The hilt has a vertical handle, and a horizontal part called the cross-guard.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    First, fold the whole model down over the cross-guard. Then fold up the top so that only the cross-guard is covered. [12]
    • If you flip the model over you will see that you have just made what looks like a proper hilt.
  12. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    You don’t want your blade to be as wide as your cross-guard. So fold in the long edges to meet at the middle. This will require more “squash folds” of squashing down the triangles of paper that form. [13]
  13. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    Keep the triangle on the top of your sword for a pointy blade. But fold up the bottom triangle for a squared-off handle. [14]
    • Turn your model upside down, so the side facing the table is facing you. There’s your sword!
    • You can try making swords out of different colored paper until you have enough for all your friends.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Make a Full-Size Sword with Newspaper

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  1. You can use any paper you like, but the newspaper is extra big and lends to a much more intimidating sword. [15]
    • If you're feeling rather crafty, spray paint the newspaper with silver spray paint -- or whatever color sword your ninja-self might carry!
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    Start at the corner and roll the paper on a diagonal until you reach the other side. The tighter you make it, the sturdier it will be. [16]
    • Try to roll as tightly as possible so that the roll is rigid. You don’t want a floppy sword!
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    Sturdy, transparent packing tape works best, but any invisible tape should do the trick. If you do have packing tape, consider taping up the entire paper blade to make it more sturdy. [17]
    • If the end of your sword isn't the right shape, use scissors to cut the paper into the shape of a sword tip.
  4. Again, pile sheets of newspaper and roll from the outer corner in. Tape the cylinder of newspaper together with transparent tape. [18]
    • At this point the handle will look pretty much like the blade––but not for long!
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sword out of Paper
    The sword blade should go through the middle of the handle. Tape the handle closed and secure it to the sword blade with more tape. [19]
    • Congrats! You’ve made a full-size sword. Now make a few more swords you can give to your friends, and you’re ready to duel!
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I make a sword out of regular paper?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can make it out of regular paper.
  • Question
    How do I find a full video of someone making a sword out of paper?
    Community Answer
    Go on YouTube and search "How to Make a Sword out of Paper." When you watch the video, you can pause it at each step to make sure you're doing everything correctly before proceeding.
  • Question
    How do I make a sword out of construction paper?
    Community Answer
    Construction paper should work as well as origami paper, it will just be a little harder to fold. You can just follow the steps in the article.
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      Tips

      • If you're new to origami, start with a bigger piece of paper. That way you can make big folds instead of tiny, tricky ones.

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Make sure that the creases on your origami sword are crisp and sharp. You can use a pencil, ruler, or your fingernails for this since your finger alone will not make them very sharp.
      • If you’re a beginner, start with simpler models. You'll get better as you go and be able to handle more difficult models, like me.
      • Try putting colored tape or washi tape around your sword to personalize it and really make it your own!
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      Warnings

      • Don't hit something too hard with your sword! You'll dent the sword permanently.
      • Don't attempt to hurt anybody with your paper sword. A paper sword can still hurt if it goes in someone’s eye or gives them a paper cut.
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      Things You'll Need

      Using Origami Paper

      • Origami paper

      Rolling Newspaper

      • Several sheets of newspaper
      • Transparent tape (packing tape is best)
      • Scissors


      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about origami, check out our in-depth interview with Coco Sato .

      About This Article

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