Japonese Katana

Hi

This is a Katana that I've made to get my self into 3D modeling. It's a prop totally original.

All the pieces are interconnected for better alignment. It's better to print with small layer lines so the details can be better shown. 

After printing it for the first time here some of my considerations:

• Every thing aligns perfectly as I designed
• The blade is too fragile and wobbly, was going for a more accurate design but for 3D printing was a bit of a fail. If you are to print this, give it some extra walls and 100% infill is the best way to print the blade. It will give it some more rigidity.
• If you are going to PLA welding (I would strongly advise you to do so, works perfectly for glueing the pieces together) do give extra walls to the print so you have a bit more material to work with
• The parts that are not suited for PLA welding I would recommend that you glue them with some epoxy, it will create a better bond between the parts

After saying that I'm working on a new remodel design of this to make it a bit more rigid (I've up the blade from 5mm thickness to 11mm). What would work out great would be adding a 5mm steal rod on the blade, but due to the curve design I don't think that it will be viable. Also I gave the end connection of the blade a better way to be glue it to the guard and the blade.

Be on the look out for that design, will be come in very shortly. This will continue here cause it's still a good print for display only.