1/12 Scale Cold Weaponry: Katana, Wakizashi, and Scabbards

1/12 scale katana, wakizashi, and scabbards. For optimal printability and to maintain the curvature of the blades, a two-piece design (left and right halves) is employed. The set includes both long and short swords, with corresponding scabbards; the short sword scabbard is comprised of two parts (left and right). Each scabbard features a 3mm hole for use with a 3mm dowel. A challenging aspect is the two-part construction of both swords and scabbards, which require careful gluing. The flat base of each hilt acts as an alignment guide during assembly; simply trim this after bonding. Insert the blade tang after the blade halves are adhered; ensure the tang's recess faces the hilt.

The two-part design is implemented to achieve an aesthetically pleasing blade curvature. Previous attempts at vertical printing proved problematic due to the A1 mini's limitations; the small size and height exceeding 8cm caused print instability and failure. The use of supports resulted in significant serration on the blade's surface. This two-part approach, while requiring assembly, yields significantly superior results compared to vertical printing or printing with supports. Moreover, print times are reduced.

In the 3MF file, increased flow rate and reduced speed settings were applied to the smoothing operation; however, surface quality remains imperfect. Consultation with Bambu Lab customer service indicated insufficient flow rate as the potential cause. Inconsistencies were observed, with some parts exhibiting superior surface finish than others—suggesting a machine- or nozzle-related issue (0.2 nozzle). Adjustments may be necessary based on your specific 3D printer configuration.

The final model was hand-painted using acrylic pens.