I've made up a new sword for sword and shield style.
I was convinced to try out a basket hilt and demi gauntlet, instead of my usual cross hilt with gauntlet setup.
Original stick of rattan stats :
width 1 3/8 inch
weight 443 grams
length 89.5cm
Black plastic sca basket hilt 303 grams
I shaped the handle and shaved the sides of the blade with an angle grinder.
I wrapped the blade in 1 spiral layer of Fibre tape,
then 1 layer of hockey tape
With hockey tape, I put two layers of 1/2 inch closed cell foam into a low profile thrusting tip. (just over the minimum length).
I taped the basket hilt with some fibre tape and some hockey tape.
Finished weight 840 grams
The final sword is well balanced, light and should let me do damn fast snaps :)
