How I Built the Minecraft Movie Sword – A DIY Prop Inspired by Wētā Workshop

When the trailer for the Minecraft Movie dropped, I couldn’t take my eyes off the sword. It had that signature Minecraft aesthetic — blocky, pixel-perfect geometry — but it looked real. Made from metal. Forged in a world where Minecraft met Middle-earth.

As it turns out, that’s not far from the truth. The props for the movie were created by the legendary Wētā Workshop, known for their work on Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and other cinematic greats. And while there are no official replicas (yet), I knew right away: I had to make one.

Starting from Scratch

All I had to go on was a single blurry image from the trailer. No blueprints, no files, no scale references. Just that one still frame and an obsessive need to recreate the sword as accurately as possible.

So I loaded the image into Illustrator and started tracing. Each square tile. Each edge. Each taper. I built a 2D vector layout by hand and then began the build the way I often do: one layer at a time.

The Build Begins

I originally tried EVA foam, but it didn’t have the precision I needed. So I switched to 3mm plywood and started laser cutting. I treated the project like a 3D print — layering up detail with each level of ply.

Once the layers were cut and stacked, I started gluing the pieces together, carefully weighting them to prevent warping. From there, it was time to sand the edges, add subtle bevels, and blend the layers so the sword felt like one solid piece.

Priming, Painting, and That Sweet Chrome

After everything was glued and filled, I sanded again, primed, and hit it with adhesion promoter to help the paint bond to the mixed surface. Then came the paint job:

• Rustoleum Metallic Finish for that forged steel look

• Masked off areas to hand-paint the wood grip

• Added acrylic washes to simulate aging and weathering

Each pass brought the prop closer to the movie version. And yes — the final step was blackwash shading to bring out that cinematic texture.

Want to Make One Too? Here's What You'll Need:

🧰 Materials:

• 3mm plywood sheets (laser-safe)

• 5-minute epoxy

• Wood filler

• Sandpaper or sanding sponges

• Adhesion promoter (spray)

• Primer (spray or brush-on)

• Rustoleum metallic spray paint (chrome or silver)

• Acrylic paints (brown, black, gold, optional weathering shades)

• Masking tape

  
  

🛠 Tools:

• Laser cutter (or access to one via maker space/friend)

• Clamps or heavy weights (to prevent plywood warping)

• Paint brushes and stippling brushes

• Optional: Dremel for fine sanding or shaping

  
  

🧭 Steps Overview:

1. Download the free vector template

2. Laser cut each layer of the sword

3. Stack and glue layers together

4. Sand seams and bevel edges

5. Fill gaps with wood filler

6. Prime and prep the surface with adhesion promoter

7. Paint base coat, then chrome spray

8. Paint grip separately (optional wood effect)

9. Weather with acrylic washes for realism

10. Blackwash and seal (optional)

    
    

The Final Result

The finished prop has all the vibes of the real movie sword: weight, texture, and that grounded realism Wētā is known for. But here’s the best part:

You can make one too.

Download the Free Template

I've put the full vector files and build guide online for free. You can grab them here: 👉 creativegeekery.com/minecraft

If you're a builder, crafter, cosplayer, or just a Minecraft fan who wants something more than pixels, this project is for you.

Let me know what you'd build next — and tag me if you make your own version. I'd love to see it!

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