September 21…
I decided to look up some sources to research how cosplay weapons are made. I came across this video from Jax Cosplay. He used a foam called EVA foam, which is something I have never heard of before. So I researched what EVA foam is, and found out that it is pretty expensive. One EVA foam roll is about $21 on Amazon, so I bought two rolls. The total price that I paid for two rolls, including tax, was $48. This brought down my budget of $150 to $102. I knew that I had to find some alternatives to EVA foam. This is where I came across this video from Lost Wax. This creator used puzzle piece floor mats as their foam. I thought this was genius so I decided I would buy some of it when I visited Dollarama. After a thorough research, these are the materials I needed for this project:
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/Shopping-List-1-576x1024.jpg)
I knew pretty much what I wanted to buy at Dollarama. Creating the “Keyblade” sword was on my mind as I chose the materials to purchase. Additionally, I already have some materials at hand such as scissors, a glue gun, newsprint paper, gesso (for prepping a canvas for painting, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, and so on.
TOTAL $ SPENT (so far): $48 (EVA FOAM) + $53 (Dollarama) = $101
October 11…
It took some time before I decided to start my project. Today, I decided to make a Karambit. I started by getting ideas online to create a design for my Karambit. I saw this picture on Pinterest from Angelo Amo Amo, however, I was looking for something simpler. As I explored different Karambit designs, I came across this Karambit on Knify. This Karambit is simple enough so I quickly got to work.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/PLANNING-1-300x225.jpg)
I started by drawing a rough sketch of my Karambit. I tried to use the Karambit on Knify just for inspiration to create my design. It is going great so far!
After finalizing my Karambit outline, I traced it on a thinner paper and transferred the outline to the foam. I am using the foam I found on Dollarama for this one. I found it hard to cut the foam for some reason. It is even harder to cut around the curves in the handle of the karambit.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/MAKING-1-225x300.jpg)
After the struggle of cutting the foam, it was time to add the foundation in the middle for support. The Karambit I am making was a little small for the support I purchased, so I had to find a smaller solid object as an alternative. Luckily, I remember that we still had these barbeque sticks sitting around in my kitchen drawer, so I decided to use them.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/MAKING-3-300x225.jpg)
After struggling to glue everything together, my Karambit is complete. Although it still needs some paint job.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/MAKING-4-225x300.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/MAKING-5-225x300.jpg)
I wrapped the handle with electrical tape and painted the blades silver with a touch of red paint (to make the Karambit seem “deadly” and “lethal”).
AND FINALLY! My Karambit is finished! It is not the best. I wish I made the blades a little more thinner. However, this was just the start. Tomorrow, I have decided to skip a bit on my timeline to create a “Keyblade.”
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/MAKING-6-225x300.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/MAKING-7-225x300.jpg)
October 12-13…
The next day, I decided to finally recreate this keyblade from Kingdom Hearts!
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/Kingdom_Key_KHIII-300x300.png)
This is the easiest keyblade to recreate out of all the other keyblades. Now, I just have to find an outline/blueprint that shows all the measurements of the keyblade.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/kingdom_key_blueprints_by_finaformsora_d7igw7m-pre-300x269.jpg)
This was a headache to look at, but I am up for the challenge! So I quickly got to work, starting from the handle!
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-1-1024x768.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-2-1024x768.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-3-1024x768.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-4-1024x768.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-5-768x1024.jpg)
I would be lying if I said I did not start to hate rulers after this!! The most difficult part of creating this draft is it make sure everything lines up. I do not want to end up with a crooked sword!
After cutting the outline, I quickly transferred this to the foam so I could cut it as well:
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-6-1024x768.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-8-768x1024.jpg)
As you could see, the photo jumped from the handle being in pieces to complete. I was too invested in creating the handle that I have forgotten to take photos! This photo was taken around 2:33, so I worked on the handle for about FOUR HOURS after creating the outline!!
Now I am ready to create the top part of the sword, so I added more metal foundation so the keyblade will be sturdy:
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-9-768x1024.jpg)
By the way, I used a curtain rod for the foundation. It is sturdy enough because it is metal, and it is light because it is hollow. It was the perfect support inside! However, I encountered a problem. The top part measures about 27 inches (68.58). The metal was a few inches short, so I used the barbeque sticks again as a support (I did not take a photo of this, so you just have to believe me!) These barbeque sticks were a lifesaver!
Additionally, I also created the outline for the key part, although, I did this after I finished the handle:
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-10-768x1024.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-11-768x1024.jpg)
Again, another difficult task to do! My hands and wrists were hurting at this point. I have been working on this project since 10:00 am and this photo was taken around 6:24 pm.
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-13-768x1024.jpg)
As usual, I got so invested in creating the top part that I forgot to take photos! Anyway! the keyblade is finally complete! I wrapped the top part with electrical tape because the glue sticks were not doing their job!
TIME CHECK: 7:00 pm
The next day, I covered the handle with fabric and applied Gesso to the whole keyblade to prepare a surface for painting:
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-14-768x1024.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-15-768x1024.jpg)
![](http://edusites.uregina.ca/jozellesumat/wp-content/uploads/sites/944/2023/10/KEYBLADE-16-768x1024.jpg)
REFLECTIONS (SO FAR)…
I honestly found a new level of respect for cosplay makers. It is a very difficult job to do! Imagine doing this on a daily basis. I think I know why cosplay makers love doing this kind of work. It is very fulfilling once the project is done. I remember showing this to my boyfriend (my critical friend) and being very proud of what I created! It also felt awesome swinging the keyblade around and imagining myself inside the Kingdom Hearts universe! Overall, I could feel my hard work paying off whenever I saw this keyblade that I made.
CRITICAL FRIEND HERE:
I was the lucky person who is critical friend for Jozelle (Future Husband). Throughout her project Jozelle communicated a lot of ideas and the methods that she will implement in completion of her project of Karambit Knife and Keyblade. I find her approach unique and the creativity she used while creating this both object was amazing. I witnessed the whole process while we were video calling and I will see her for hours working hard on the knife and the sword. She used elements that would fit the best to make it look appealing and I am really impressed with the outcome on every step that she discussed and shwoed it to me while continuously improving it.