Tutorial : Xaldin Lance

I am aware that there are a few Xaldin cosplayers that want to make his lance, but have no idea how to go about it. Well, I may not be a cosplayer of him, but I made one for a friend who does, and it only took about 2 weeks. Well, it probably would've been less time if the original blades hadn't snapped. And this method is cheap. I only spent about maybe $10-15 making this.

Round 1: Drawing out the blades
What you need:
Newspaper
1 Dark pencil
Permanent marker
Scissors
Reference images

1.1. - Lay down the newspaper on the dining room table. Double layered so that the marker doesn't go onto the table. Smooth it out if necessary.
1.2. - Have your reference images at the ready. Have them directly beside the newspaper, so you can keep looking to them.
1.3. - Using the dark pencil (I recommend a 6B) sketch out the blades, making them about the same size. For the blade that resembles a cross, draw half of it, then fold it over, and draw on the opposite side that you initially did the over-draw with the permanent marker. Open and draw over that again. Make sure to do final outlining using the permanent marker. (Use the dowelling for the staff so you know how wide you need to make the base)
1.4. - Cut out the shapes! Don't cut along the marker line! Cut outside them, so that you won't ruin your lines, and you have a minimal amount of excess.

Round 2: The staff-part of the lance (Easiest part of the whole thing)
What you need:
1 piece of dowelling (must be to about the middle of your chest, and fit nicely in your hand)
Paint - white, yellow, light blue, aqua, and purple
Newsprint (like the kind art students use) or poster board (you can get it at the dollar store)
Foam brushes (in 3 sizes)

2.1. - Take the dowelling, and using the permanent marker you used to draw the blades, mark off where you're going to have the yellow pieces that are on the staff-part of the lance. Go all the way around! Use the references.
2.2. - Take the white paint, and paint from one mark to the other, going all the way around. Wait for it to dry. (drying time varies on the brand) When dry, do a second coat.
2.3. - Now, mix the light blue, aqua, and white. Add a small amount of the purple. Mix accordingly until you have a colour that you think is closest to what is in your reference. Dark colours often ruin the appeal of the lance.
2.4. - Paint one end of the dowelling, but don't paint over the flat end! It's a very bad idea! Wait for it to dry. Do a second coat if necessary. Repeat at the other end.
2.5. - Once all painting on the wood is finished, take the newsprint (or poster board) and cut strips that are about 2 inches wide, going the long way down the sheet. Place the middle of the piece at the point where your white meets blue, and start wrapping. Wrap tightly! Once that is done, use tape to secure. So that the newsprint/poster board does not slide, use hot glue on the inside to secure it! Do this for the other end as well.

Round 3: Cutting out the blades
What you need:
Scroll saw or zip saw (if you have never used either, ask an adult for help | Note: if you don't have one of either, but a friend does, ask to use theirs)
1 large piece of wood that is the thickness of your dowelling (make sure it's big enough to fit both blades)
Carbon paper
Pen
Sandpaper

3.1. - DO THIS BEFORE ANYTHING WITH THE BLADES IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE A SCROLL SAW!!! Adjust the height of the control, and speed so that it will work best with the wood that you've chosen, and it's thickness! IF USING A ZIP SAW - Make sure the blade isn't going to break!
3.2. - Put the wooden board down and place the carbon paper over top of it. Place your newspaper drawing over top, and start tracing. Move the carbon paper beneath as needed, or, have several sheets underneath. Do with both blades, making sure that they don't overlap.
3.3 - Start up the scroll saw/zip saw. Be very careful while cutting. Especially if you're using a zip saw. Go slowly. Do NOT rush. It can only go wrong if you do.
3.4. - Sand the edges after cutting. Smooth is best!

Round 4: Painting the blades
What you need:
Paint - white, light blue, aqua, purple, and deep blue
Sponge brushes

4.1. - Paint the entire thing white. Do 2 coats. Do one side at a time.
4.2. - While the second coat is drying of the second side, do the same mixture you did for the end of the staff-part. Go a little darker.
4.3. - On one of the sides of each blade, do a fade from the darkest of your mixture to white. Make sure you get all the in-between colours. Doesn't matter if the colour goes over the edge a bit, you'll clean that up later. But do wipe off big globs. Only one coat is needed for each.
4.4. - Redo the white around the side. Do a small amount of white overtop of your mixed portion. Will make the lance more accurate.
4.5. - Last painting step. Take the deep blue, and do the triangular colour that's at the base. The references will be handy for this. Use a normal paintbrush, a 4 Round should do.

Round 5: Attaching the blades to the staff-part (this can be tricky)
What you need:
Drill
Piece of dowelling (that is the same width/size as the drill-bit)
Wood glue
Finishing nails (yes, you NEED them; believe me, you do!)
Hammer (for the nails)

5.1. - First, mark the middle point of the dowelling and the blades. What's where you're going to drill. Do for both ends. Take the drill, and drill into the dowelling, and into the blades where you've marked. Now, take the piece of dowelling, and figure out how much you need for each end.
5.2. - Put some woodglue inside the hole in the staff, and put the dowelling in. I suggest a wood glue that doesn't require pressure to work. You don't wanna be standing there for an hour.
5.3. - Once the dowelling is secure, put wood glue in the first blade, and place it onto the end. Do one blade at a time.
5.4. - After an hour has passed for the first blade, do the second. Make sure though that it's going to be at the same plane as your first one.
5.5. - Now that both blades are attached, put in the finishing nails. BE VERY CAREFUL! Put two finishing nails on each side (as in the flat sides that have the change from colour to white) and one at each edge. I say one at each edge, because you could split the wood with more than one. Be very careful with the edges, more so than the flat sides. Believe me, it could spell trouble @_@ Do for both blades.

Round 6: Final touch
What you need:
Newsprint (or poster board)
Tape
Paint - yellow
Wood glue
Scissors

6.1. - First, make your strips. But only make them an inch long. Cut length-ways again.
6.2. - Take the wood glue, and smear it all over the end of the strip. Continue to do so until you have a small amount left of the strip. Secure with tape. Allow to dry for an hour. Then, do the other end the same way.
6.3. - Now, painting! Using a small brush, very carefully paint the strips yellow. Make sure it's the same shade of yellow you used for the initial two strips. Wait for them to dry.