How to Make Homemade Weapons out of Everyday Objects

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Whether you're playing with your siblings or starting an inter-cubicle war, some homemade weapons can be a fun way to exercise your creativity and hand out a solid butt whooping! wikiHow presents a few ideas below but the possibilities are endless so remember the most important rules: be creative and keep trying! Get started with Step 1 below or see the sections listed above to learn how to build everything from a battle axe to nunchucks!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Paper Crossbow

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll need several sheets of printer paper, regular tape, duct tape, Popsicle sticks, a pencil, strong twine, a ruler, an x-acto knife, and scissors.
    • You can even use old paper boxes. [1]
    • Save some shipping paper and use it for this purpose.
    • Or use recycled toilet paper. [2]
  2. Take 4 sheets of printer paper and cut them in half along the long line. Roll each set of collated 4 into a tube (with a pencil at the center) from short side to short side. Tape the tube closed at three points along the barrel and then remove the pencil. [3]
    Advertisement
  3. Take 5 sheets of paper, collate them, and wrap them short end to short end into a tube with a pencil at the center once again. Tape the tube in several places and then remove the pencil. [4]
  4. Cut two 1.5" sections of Popsicle stick and place it in the end of the tube so that the end is flush with the opening and mark 1.5" from that end of the tube on the outside of the barrel. Finally, insert a Popsicle stick in the opposite end and at a 90 degree turn from the other stick and place a single layer of duct tape around the whole barrel to keep it from breaking. Bend the arms at the 1.5" mark you made.
  5. Pinch the end of the barrel and then place the short sections of the arms on either side of the pinched end. Duct tape them into place. Make sure the connection is very tight and strong.
  6. Use a bowline knot to attach the far ends of the bow together. Attach it to one side, secure with tape, pull the string about 1" beyond the end of the other side, and then attach that side and secure it as well.
  7. Pull the bow back until it makes a square shape with the arms. Mark the point on the barrel where the center of the string reaches and place your trigger at that location. Use the x-acto knife to cut a hole straight through the barrel. Cut the end off of a Popsicle stick, split it down the middle, and place it through the hole to create the trigger. It should be able to wiggle back and forth a bit, and be long enough to extend out from the barrel on either side of the hole.
    • If you're a kid, get help from an adult with this. It's very easy to stab yourself or cut your finger off!
  8. Cut a single sheet of paper in half along the long line and roll two tubes. Flatten them and tape them in place along either side of the trigger. Then take another strip of single sheet, this time in quarters rather than halves, and roll a tube which you will place between the arms of the crossbow. Make sure a pencil fits easily through this tube.
  9. Cock your string back so that it fits on the trigger, load your pencil, and then fire!
    10. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Cardboard Battle Axe

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll need large pieces of thick, sturdy cardboard, craft glue, paint, ribbon, and optionally a flat corner bracket which you can purchase from your local hardware store. [5]
  2. Draw the shape of the axe you want, blade and handle, onto a piece of paper. The simpler the shape, the better it will work. [6]
  3. Trace this shape onto at least four pieces of cardboard (six is better) and cut them out with a box cutter knife. [7]
    • If you're a kid, get help from an adult with this. It's very easy to stab yourself or cut your finger off!
  4. Take one piece of cardboard to act as the center. Glue the corner bracket at the L between the handle and the blade. You can also place a thin stick or dowel rod in the handle piece if you want to. [8]
  5. Glue all of the layers together, with the reinforced section in the middle. [9]
  6. You can use the box cutter to bevel the edges of the blade section if you want. Once this is done you can cover the whole thing in duct tape, paint it to look real, or wrap the ribbon around the handle to give it a really authentic look. [10]
  7. Enjoy your new battle axe!
    8. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Duct Tape Nunchucks

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll need two long cardboard tubes, such as the ones that come at the center of a roll of paper towels. You'll also need tin foil and duct tape. You can optionally make the nunchucks a bit more dangerous by adding weights (metal butter knives are good for this). [11]
  2. If you decide to use the weights, you want to put them in first. Take two butter knives, flip them opposite end to opposite end, and tape them together into a single object. Thoroughly cover them in tape to keep them from breaking loose and cutting you. [12]
  3. Tape closed one end of each of the tubes. Make a ball of tin foil and shove it down into the end of the tube. Continue stuffing balls of tin foil into the tube or surround your weight in bunched tin foil and then center it in the tube. Fill the tube until the tin foil is level with the open end. Tape the end closed. [13]
  4. Cut long strips of duct tape into thin sections and then fold those sections in half to create strings. Braid the strings together to create a rope. Your rope will need to reach from end to end of the tubes with about 6" of space between them. [14]
  5. Unbraid the section of the rope that covers the cardboard tubes and tape them, spaced equally, around the outside of the tube. This should leave the braided section at the center. [15]
  6. Wrap the tubes completely in duct tape and continue wrapping so that the rope is covered as well. [16]
  7. Enjoy your nunchucks and be careful, especially if you used weights.
    8. Advertisement

Video

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How powerful is the crossbow? How far can it shoot?
    Community Answer
    It can penetrate paper and dig into plywood about 3 cm at close range. It can shoot really far, but with good accuracy, probably 20-30 m.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 28 Helpful 152
  • Question
    Are there alternative arrows for a crossbow that will not cause cuts on the target?
    Community Answer
    Cover the tip of the arrow with foam or something that covers the sharp end, like a suction cup.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 50 Helpful 114
  • Question
    Is this for survival?
    Community Answer
    No, this is just for play.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 87 Helpful 157
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Build according to the instructions first, then as you figure out what works, customize it to work better for you. This way, you can become stronger and stronger on the battlefield, with weapons that work with you, not against you.
        Thanks
        Helpful 12 Not Helpful 1
      • Get creative and find alternatives if these items don't work for you.
        Thanks
        Helpful 18 Not Helpful 3
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Build a DIY Potato Cannon: PVC Spud Gun Instructions
      How to
      Build a Trebuchet
      How to
      Turn Your Hand Into a Rubber Band Gun
      How to
      Build a Pen Gun
      How to
      Build a Strong Catapult
      How to
      Build a Basic Catapult
      How to
      Make a Toy Gun
      How to
      Modify a Nerf Gun
      How to
      Make a Rubber Band Gun
      How to
      Fire a Rubber Band
      How to
      Make a Sling Shot
      How to
      Make a Paper Gun That Shoots
      How to
      Make a Spear
      How to
      Make a Coilgun
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/04/recycled-art-project-for-kids-2.html
      2. ↑ https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/04/recycled-art-project-for-kids-2.html
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      5. ↑ http://www.stormthecastle.com/Things/make-a-cardboard-battleaxe-or-polearm.htm
      6. ↑ http://www.stormthecastle.com/Things/make-a-cardboard-battleaxe-or-polearm.htm
      7. ↑ http://www.stormthecastle.com/Things/make-a-cardboard-battleaxe-or-polearm.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 454,042 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Feb 24, 2017

        "This article shows details of how to make a defensive weapon on the cheap. I hope to build one soon. Good ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement