Plastic sword blades?

[Bandit]

Has anyone attempted to make a modern sword blade from plastic yet? I am working on a book and was curious if this would work. I know this would not work against armor due to the weight but it could pierce and cut. It would be easily destroyed by a steel weapon, but would it work? Thanks in advance.

 

[Loki]

I'd suspect one could fashion a thrusting rapier like blade out of certain plastics (say like the stuff they're using for pistol receivers). A cutting blade might be a tough order. Perhaps carbon fiber might be a better medium for a pointed thruster.

 

[Bikewer]

I imagine a plastic ( thermoplastic or composite ) sword would be an effective impact weapon, if not a cutter/slicer.
Edged wooden warclubs have been used by primitive peoples all over the world. Mushashi was said to favor the wooden sword over the steel in his later years.

 

[Triton]

I don't know that Musashi's preferences had anything to do with functionality though. Heck the man used a carved boat anchor in one duel instead of his sword. I think it had more to do with what he could win with then what was optimal to win with. Of course one also must wonder how much of the Musashi legend is truth and how much is fiction. It seems to me that someone as pragmatic as the author of The Book of Five Rings would want to use the best weapon available rather then give his opponent a sporting chance.

 

[Bandit]

Musashi killed many men with a bokken before he changed his name to Musashi. After a while he created the 2 sword style and used the length and relative lightness of the wooden sword to parry and allow him to get in close with his steel sword. He eventually changed to 2 katanas and still carried the wooden sword as he started entering his more enlightened period. He would often take his opponents apart with his bokken just to show them that he could and that fighting him was futile.

 

[wnease]

I've made several all-plastic sword blades, mostly for aesthetic reasons, but most will cut large, dry sausage, giant candles, cheap dormitory furniture, drywall, etc...I use the high impact clear plastic from hockey rinks (1/2inch thick).

 

[senoBDEC]

Musashi killed many men with a bokken before he changed his name to Musashi. After a while he created the 2 sword style and used the length and relative lightness of the wooden sword to parry and allow him to get in close with his steel sword. He eventually changed to 2 katanas and still carried the wooden sword as he started entering his more enlightened period. He would often take his opponents apart with his bokken just to show them that he could and that fighting him was futile.

Though I realize this is a rather old thread...
What?
Never heard of this.

Bokken out of modern plastics/polycarbonates/etc works well if they're relatively impact and dent-resistant. For a large blade - probably the necessary thickness and lack of wear resistance (for the edge) would make it impractical.