Forging a Demon’s Weapon: My Epic Kanabo Build Journey

This is a legendary tool wielded by gods and demons alike. The Kanabo is a large wooden shaft with a handle carved into it, leaving most of the striking surface ready for action. The hitting end is armoured with steel at each corner, protecting the staff from bladed weapons and increasing the overall kinetic force.

The weapon has its very own helmet protecting the attacking part of the tool. This custom part protects all of the side armour, holding them in place and keeping them from being attacked. Each part is carved into the wooden face, then inlaid for stability.

Three forged rings are heated to red heat to expand them. Then, once in place, they are cooled with water, clamping tightly.

Lastly, sharp spikes cover the face of the striking surface. These spikes keep opponents from grabbing the staff and help pin the target in place so all the power of the swing lands right where it should.

This heavyweight tool was popular among demons for its sheer strength and ferocity. Warriors who picked the Kanabo chose a very specific kind of warfare—when they charged, they brought unstoppable weight with them!

By the time I post this, it will have been a full year from sketching the first idea to finishing the real piece! In that time, I made 114 parts to bring this project together (not counting the ones I had to remake, thanks to my lack of patience). Luckily, I had no idea what I was getting into—breaking the build into sections like nails, armour, staff, and assembly, it all came together bit by bit.

This build called for carpentry, blacksmithing, armor-making techniques—and a good dose of luck (which I totally count as a skill). I was familiar with all of them, but for this project, I worked right at the edge of my understanding. I learned a ton! Next time, I won’t have to spend nearly as long contemplating what to do when I make the next one.

While building, my mind kept wandering to armour making. I’m not sure what I’ll try first, but I learned a lot from making the little helmet for this build, and now I want to dive deeper into that research.

Lastly, I’m so excited to actually try fighting with the Kanabo—LOL, it’s nothing like what I imagined when I started!