Hi all

we are currently rehearsing a play we plan to perform in a few weeks. one of the props is a carving knife and a couple of the players have an issue with having a real carving knife hanging around.

can anyone direct me to an alternative and as to where i could get such a prop?

many thanks

Law

Does the knife have to be practical in any way?

We used an old knife that one of our chaps blunted although that doesn't resolve the whole issue. An alternative is to remove the blade, replace with ply and silver foil. Or perhaps a visit to a joke shop for one with a plastic blade? You could always spray the blade to make ii look more realistic.
Vix

Sillyjokes do knves, though not particularly a carving knife

another one here

thanks you guys, thats really helpful

It really depends what its being used for, but its very difficult for instance to 'sharpen' a wooden bladed knife to carve a joint of meat for example. Also, anything you create will not be weighted in the same way and is likely to look unrealistic if being moved.

It may well be perfectly possible and safe to use the real thing given a proper risk assessment and controls, (is it any less safe than pyro's for example?) but if you really have a problem, I would not bother with trying to remove the blade, I'd start from scratch using the real thing a model.

I would suggest making the blade out balsa wood rather than ply. Although its lighter, its strong but will crumple if someone falls on it or anyone attempts to use it to stab someone. You will get a sheet in 3mm or 4mm for a couple of quid from your local model shop and I'd suggest cutting at least two blades in case you break one.

If you've never worked with Balsa please ask for help with how to cut it without splitting. Its dead easy - when you know how.

The handle is most easily shaped out of a suitable size piece of balsa or you could use any other wood. While you are at the model shop get yourself a pot of Humbrol Metalcote 27003 in 'Polished Steel'. (Aluminium foil is the wrong colour) and a pot of primer which I think they still do in grey.

Put two bevels on the blade using a fine garnet paper and a block of flat wood so you end up with a flat section and a cutting section. This sounds hard but is easy to do with a bit of patience. Then work down through the grades, sand along the grain on the flat section, and across the grain for the cutting section. Then give a coat of primer laying of the brush in the same directions. Wait until perfectly dry before giving a find gentle sand with flour-grade paper. Finally in a clean area give one coat of the metalcote laying off in the required direction.

For the handle, form it out of the block. Cut a slot accurately in the end before you start sanding with reducing grades. then I would suggest a wood finish. Paint on two 'brass' rivets each side but find two smaller brass screws. Slide the blade into position before drilling two pilot holes into the centre of the 'rivets' from one side almost through to the other. Do the same with the second blade. Then fix the blade using screws and it should look very convincing.

Total build time 1 hour, painting and finishing another 1.5 to 2 hours over several days (drying time ).

If you speak to the model shop they may know a local young hobbyist who will build it for you for a few quid pocket money.

If the actor needs to wave it about, they need to practice with the real thing first and then compensate for the weight reduction.

Robin