I’m Kayla, and yes, I actually own a Master Sword replica. I grew up on Ocarina of Time, and Tears of the Kingdom pushed me over the edge. I wanted the big blue blade on my wall. You know what? I also wanted to bring it to a con and feel like a hero for five minutes. If you’re hunting for even more lore-friendly prop inspiration, the deep-dive galleries at Zelda Sanctuary are a goldmine of reference photos and buying tips.
Let me explain what I bought, how it felt, what broke, and what I’d do again.
What I Bought (and Why)
I tested three versions, because I’m picky and I’m clumsy:
- Metal wall-hanger, 42-inch, stainless blade with a blue scabbard. Mine was from an Amazon seller with a silly name; it shows up a lot if you search “Master Sword replica.”
- Foam cosplay sword by Disguise, the official one. It’s the short, light one.
- A resin/wood display piece from an Etsy maker. No sharp edge. Pretty paint.
If the idea of an officially licensed, high-end showpiece is more your style, Nintendo Life recently highlighted Bandai’s upcoming Tamashii Nations PROPlica Master Sword, so keep an eye on that drop.
I wanted one for the wall, one for photos, and one I could strap to my Link belt without pulling my back. Spoiler: no single sword did all three well.
Unboxing: First Impressions
- Metal sword: It came in a long box with foam. No strange smell. The paint on the guard looked glossy and a little toy-like, but not bad. The scabbard fit tight.
- Foam sword: Zip-tied to a card. Light as air. The seam line down the blade? You can see it if you look close. Kids don’t care. I did, a little.
- Resin sword: Wrapped like a newborn. The paint job was lovely—weathered blue grip, soft gold trim. It felt handmade, in a good way.
Honestly, I was grinning like a kid. My dog was not impressed.
Feel in Hand: Balance, Grip, and That “Hero” Moment
- Metal sword: 3.2 lbs on my kitchen scale. About 42 inches tip to pommel. The balance sits forward, so it feels heavier than it is. The grip is smooth plastic with a fake leather wrap. No bite on the hands, but it gets slick if you sweat. The pommel (the end cap) didn’t jiggle. Good sign.
- Foam sword: Around half a pound. You can spin it one-handed and not worry. The guard flexes a bit if you squeeze. It looks right in photos from five feet away. Up close, it’s more costume than prop.
- Resin sword: 2.1 lbs. Nice middle ground. The handle had a soft wrap that felt secure. I could pose with it longer without my wrist yelling at me.
You know that little thrill when you hear the save sound in your head? Yeah. That.
Cosplay Test: Two Con Days, One Halloween Party
- Day 1 (con): I wore the foam sword on a belt loop. No sag, no stress. Security waved me through. Photos looked fine. A kid asked if it was real. I said, “Real enough.”
- Day 2 (con): I tried the metal sword with the scabbard. Big mistake. It pulled my belt down every ten steps, and security checked it twice. It’s blunt, but heavy props are a pain. I ended up carrying it by the scabbard like a fancy umbrella.
- Halloween: Resin sword won. Light, sturdy, and no one bumped it out of the sheath. The paint got a tiny scuff on the tip when my friend set it on concrete. That one still annoys me.
Wall Display: IKEA Shelf Check
I mounted the metal sword above my TV on two clear brackets from the hardware store. It spans a 48-inch shelf fine. It also fits on an IKEA Lack shelf if you angle the scabbard. The foam sword looked small on the wall. The resin one looked premium, but I worried about sun fade near the window, so I moved it to a darker corner.
Tiny note: the metal scabbard smelled like glue for a day. It went away.
Craft Details That Matter (to me, anyway)
- Etching: The metal blade has a light Triforce etch. Not deep. Still shows in photos.
- Paint: The resin finish looks the most “game-like.” The foam is more flat blue.
- Edge: All three are blunt. The metal one could still bruise a knee. Please don’t swing at people.
- Hilt wings: The metal guard is sharp-ish at the tips. Not knife sharp, but don’t toss it on the couch.
For an even deeper comparison against another popular metal run, Zelda Universe’s hands-on with Da Vinci’s Room replica dives into etching depth, weight balance, and longevity.
What Bugged Me
- Metal: The scabbard throat scratched the blade paint after three draws. The blue on the grip chipped near the guard after a week on a tight hook.
- Foam: The seam line on the blade and a little paint rub at the tip after one con.
- Resin: The gold on the pommel rubbed off a hair from my ring. Easy touch-up, but still.
Real-World Moments
- Photo proof: I took a TOTK-style crouch pose in front of a mossy stone wall at the park. The resin sword popped the most in bright light. The foam one looked thin in the shot.
- Home life: My niece held the foam sword and yelled, “Hey!” like she found a chest. My brother tried the metal sword and said, “Why is this a workout?” Fair point.
- Repairs: I used blue painter’s tape on the metal scabbard throat, inside, to stop more scratches. Worked better than I thought.
- Desktop fun: If you want a tiny bit of Hyrule on-screen while your sword is on the wall, try living with a Legend of Zelda cursor for two weeks—it’s surprisingly immersive.
Pros and Cons (Short and Simple)
Pros
- Metal: Looks epic on a wall. Real weight. Clean etch.
- Foam: Con-safe. Kid-safe. Cheap.
- Resin: Best finish. Nice feel. Good for photos.
Cons
- Metal: Heavy for long wear. Paint chips. Scabbard scratches.
- Foam: Visible seam. Small scale.
- Resin: Can scuff. Price varies a lot.
Care Tips I Learned The Hard Way
First, a quick heads up—most of these tips apply to metal, foam, and resin alike.
- Don’t store the metal blade in the scabbard long term. Moisture can haze it.
- Use microfiber cloth, not paper towels. Paper can leave tiny scratches.
- If you wall-mount, use two brackets. One slips, the tip dings. Guess how I learned.
- Sun kills blue paint. Keep it out of direct light.
Quick Specs I Measured
- Metal: 42 in total length, blade about 31 in, 3.2 lbs
- Foam: 26 in total length, 0.5 lb
- Resin: 38 in total length, 2.1 lbs
My scale and tape aren’t fancy, but they’re close.
Which One Should You Get?
- For cons or kids: Foam. You’ll relax and enjoy the day.
- For display: Metal on a wall. Looks like a legend.
- For photos and light wear: Resin. It hits the sweet spot.
If you only buy one and you care about looks more than heft, pick the resin. If you love the “clang” vibe on the wall, go metal.
Price Talk
- Foam: I paid about thirty-five bucks. Worth it.
- Resin: Mine was one-fifty-ish from an Etsy maker. Prices jump by paint quality.
- Metal: Mine was just under a hundred with the scabbard. Feels fair, but budget for wall mounts and touch-up paint.
If retail prices make you flinch or you’re hunting for a deal on a gently used blade, local classified boards are worth a peek. A site like OneBackpage lets you post cosplay gear for free, browse listings in your city, and negotiate directly with sellers, so you can score a replica (or unload an impulse buy) without the usual marketplace fees.
Love the idea of meeting fellow collectors in person rather than only bargaining online? You can level-up your social side at [a speed-dating night in Oak