2 handed rattan sword

[Alberonn]

I just recently completed my 1st 2h rattan weapon and I am hoping to lean on the wisdom of this archive to improve it. For the quillons I took a piece of rattan of suitable length and used a jigsaw to cut it in half length wise and then built up layers of close cell foam to make up the space between halves. I then wrapped it in strapping tape and covered the whole with duct tape. Above and below I wrapped duct tape rope and wound a piece of close cell foam to give it bulk and used a similar method for the pommel. Since I used Gorilla tape for the length of the blade, it actually held up well in combat except for the quillons, which took blows of sufficient force to dislodge it. My question is how to attach the quillons in a way that won't significantly weaken the rattan. I imagine putting a bolt through the weapon could do it, perhaps with carving out enough of the rattan to conceal a nut. All advice welcome. Respectfully,

Alberonn

[deBlakstan]

Instead of cutting one piece of rattan cut in half use two pieces of rattan and cut a half circle in one side of each. The two pieces together should be just slightly smaller in diameter than your sword rattan. Taping them together will cause a clamping effect on your sword without weakening it.

Cameron