Adam Savage's One Day Builds: How to Build a $5 Sword!

This week's build is actually a how-to project! Adam's had the idea for making a wooden sword out of just five dollars of materials since his theater shop days, and shows you the step by step process of building this inexpensive but satisfying prop. It's a build that can be done with any combination of materials, tools, and adhesives, and makes use of some of Adam's favorite propmaking techniques!

Share with us your own sword builds! Tweet us @testedcom and @donttrythis
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Gunther Kirsch

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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

#adamsavage #onedaybuilds

[lisapennel]

Can we have something like this as a series, please? Accessible Prop Making for Broke people and Dummies? lol. It's lovely to get not only ideas on how to manipulate materials, but to also finish them on a budget. This is wonderful for entry level cosplayers and people just getting into making props :)

[AtticusGrim]

I love that emery boards were enough of a revelation for Adam that he hasn't stopped talking about how cool they are.

[cassiemoyles]

That ruler tattoo is SO COOL THOUGH OH MY GOD

[IsabellaGentile]

I've been watching Adam on tv since I was 7 years old... I'm 15 now... all I can say is that he feels like a crazy cool uncle that makes you want to learn more about so many different things

[Point_Particle]

If I had to describe Adam Savage in only one word...it would be, "genuine." You're a national treasure, sir.

[BioshadowX]

I can just imagine:
"I cut this table leg off of somewhere, I don't remember where..."
*dining table collapses in the background*
"Also this cane, again, not sure where from..."
Old man falls down and gets attacked by pidgeons

[The_Tsar_Chasm]

“There’s a whole load of pros with no cons to go to.”

Heck that’s a good line

[gsdc]

"This is just a piece of round wood, it's roughly errr *casually measures on his arm*..."
39:51
He really uses his ruler tattoo, that's so cool.
Gotta love Adam

[justine]

I had a blast building this with my 6-year old son! Thank you for making this video and showing us how to do it. He loves it!

[Aesculathehyena]

"You can do this any way you want to." He's like the Bob Ross of making.

[mattdamron]

I always love how he starts his videos. You always see him mentally prepare for what he's about to say/do. It's a very authentic touch that's always so endearing to me.

[FairwayFinder]

There’s no telling how many kids you have turned into makers over the years. Thank you for the work you do Adam!

[otakuribo]

"you could do this whole build with a Swiss army knife." Can confirm: as a young'un bored at a church camp, i once carved an 8-bit Zelda-inspired wooden sword from a scrap piece of 2x4 over the week using just my Swiss army knife; the blade and crossguard were one solid piece, about 16 inches long overall.

[jackellison]

Really love how enthusiastic he is. He's like a child at christmas really inspiring. Adam you are the best!

[charliezxi]

It’s like you read my mind- “that aluminum tape looks way better than I thought it would “
You crack me up several times each video, thank you for being you!

[alisilcox]

Adam - I want to thank you for introducing me to metal tape. Your story about the shakespeare production is pertinent; I actually did produce weapons for a production of Henry V in highgate in london, my first ever work creating stuff for any production of anything. I spent far more than I was paid, of course, but it was worth it.

Two swords (made essentially like this) were used in a very violent choreographed fight, and it was absolutely brilliant - before every production I had to re-cover the blades with tape, as the fight would chip and peel them as they clashed. I'm considering experimenting with some thick wire or something running up the blade to make it stronger and give a proper metal clash.

It was a truly amazing production and I implore anyone with time to kill to volunteer to help out on a small professional indie theatre production - it's a world everyone should experience, the atmosphere, the buzz, the bizarre animals that are actors.

[KarboniteKyla]

I love how Adam just has everything on hand. He needs a round piece of wood, he has one stached somewhere. I’d like a work space like that

[nottelling]

The timing between "50 grit sandpaper takes off a lot of material very quickly" and _belt sander_ was amazing. The way the belt sander sound faded in before the transition was great.
_Yeah, we all know where this is going, _ but with sound cues.
Mad props to the editor.

[patricknohl]

My 11 year old daughter and I just spend the past three days making a four foot long one of these. It turned out awesome! 👍

[skydancedon]

Thank you for posting basic maker skills 101. I tend to forget there are many youngins who can benefit from this. I had several very patient mentors when I first started.