Month: January 2016

A short sword and matching dagger. The first of the LED-equipped blades that I have released. I’m proud to present to you Ouriel and Remiel!

Hidden under the leather is a button that sits just under the middle fingers of the left and right hand. With a little pressure in the right spot, the blades light up as though by the wielder’s will alone.

Magic! Yeah, yeah, I know. “Show us more pictures Ethan!”

And this is why Shadowhunters wear black. The rest of me is there. Promise.

Alright, let’s get to the machinery behind the magic.

The interior of the hilt is hollow. To access the light, you simply open the pommel, push it back, and grasp the small handle of the fitting and pull it out. The white fitting holds the light in place and prevents it from rattling around inside the sword.

Here I’ve tugged the handle up a bit for you to see how it fits in.

Let’s roll back in time a little so you can see what the guts look like without the leather cover. I drilled a hole where the flashlight button sits when it’s inside the sword. Then I formed the fitting around it and created a button of a firm polymer clay. The white button bridges the gap between the leather under your fingers, and the switch on the flashlight so you can turn it on without needing to move or open anything.

I enjoyed working on these blades and I have to admit, they challenged me at every turn. I’d like to do some more playing with the orientation of the lights in the future and see if I can work out an easier installation method.

If you’d like an illuminated Seraph Blade of your own, feel free to stop by my Buyer’s Guide and browse the options!