Looking good!
Two methods I use to make swords:
1) Brass Rod
Since the figures are not intended to be molded and cast, you can use brass rod to make very thin but strong blades. Start with a length of brass rod longer than the sword so you have something to hold onto. Simply sharpen the tip and bend the wire if you want a curved sword. Flatten the metal with a hammer and an anvil (or another flat thick piece of metal.) You can clean up the shape with a file. Cut the blade off the wire and leave a 2-3mm tang. Drill a hole in the hand and glue it in!
This technique sounds laborious, but it's actually quite quick and the results look great. I used it on my Orc hussars for Flintloque and the brass blades look great when painted.
2) Brown putty
You'll still need a wire armature for the sword bend it into shape and set aside. Lubricate a piece of plastic card with a thin coat of petroleum jelly. Set the wire on the plastic and cover the wire with putty and make the shpe of the sword. You can peel it off when cured, flip it and sculpt the other side. When it is fully cured, you can file it and sand it to a high shine.
One tip about working with hard putties like brown kneadatite, A+B or Milliput: These harder putties are very brittle and do not hold up well to handling. I mix up a batch of the harder putty and then mix an equal batch of green kneadatite. I combine both putties to make a hybrid putty. It handles like brown, but it is not so brittle. You may want to cure it under a lamp for an hour or let it cure naturally for 24 hours before sanding.
PM me or e-mail me at hydraminiatures@yahoo.com if you have any other sculpting questions.
Keep up the good work!
Matt Beauchamp
Hydra Miniatures
www.hydraminiatures.com
16 March 2012, 12:11:55 AM