Use medium grit sandpaper (60 to 100 rating) to take off rough, irregular edges and burrs from the wood. Use firm pressure and to rub the wood with the sandpaper. Be patient with this process. Sanding can take a while, but a well sanded sword will look more professional made. To speed up this process, you could clamp your sword to a work bench and use a hand sander. This will make your sword look stylish, but will also provide you a better grip on the handle when using your sword. Wind electrical tape around the handle of your sword to make a grip. Sweat from your hand along with the force of hitting something with your sword can jostle it from your grasp if you don't have a grip. Alternatively, you can use duct tape for the grip of your sword. Different patterns/colors of tape can be used to suit your preference. A file will allow you to make more precise, deeper notches in the top of the handle and bottom of the blade. Take your file and remove wood directly above and below the cross guard. Using a file in this fashion will better separate your cross guard from the handle and blade the sword. Cut a piece of wood, plastic, or metal in a circular shape that is roughly 2 in (5 cm) thicker than your sword handle. Cut a hole directly in the center of this that is just barely larger than your sword handle. Slide the separate cross guard piece up the handle. The guard should catch where the blade thickens and go no farther. To hold your cross guard in place, wrap twine or string around the guard. Alternate between the top and bottom of the guard so the string winds along the base of the blade and top of the handle. Tie the string off in a simple knot. Tie tassels to the base of the handle of your sword. Use a marker to draw designs on the blade. Etch designs in your sword with a knife. To make a sheath, cut one long sleeve off of an old shirt. sew one end of a long sleeve closed. Slide your sword inside, and you're done.

Summary: Sand your sword blade, handle, and cross guard. Wrap the handle of your sword. File your cross guard to make it distinct. Add a separate cross guard piece, alternatively. Add accents to suit your preference and enjoy. Finished.

Because repetitive strain injury (RSI) in the wrists, arms, or fingers is often caused by ongoing computer use, the less time you spend on your computer as you are trying to recover the better. The caveat to this, however, is that the majority of people who develop RSI are those whose livelihood depends on computer use. If this is the case for you, speak to your employer to see if there are any alternate duties you can take on for a while, instead of constant computer use. If your pain is particularly severe, you may want to look into a leave of absence from work for a while as you recover. This may or may not be covered under your insurance. If your work does not require a computer but you have developed RSI from excessive computer use at home, discipline yourself to spending significantly less time on your computer as you recover. Consider meeting with friends in person, or watching shows on TV, as alternate modes of entertainment to substitute for being on your computer. Make sure you have a comfortable seat to sit in while typing, to minimize stress on your shoulders and neck as you do your computer work. Also make sure that the screen is positioned so that your work is easily visible, without having to be in an awkward position to see your computer screen. Ensure that the keyboard is positioned at a comfortable height and distance from you to minimize stress and strain on your wrists as you type. Especially if you are unable to change your work duties and need to be on the computer for most of the day, it is important that you prioritize breaks every one to two hours to get up and walk around. Breaking up your typing pattern will help to prevent ongoing repetitive motions, all of which contribute to worsening RSI. Even getting up for 1015 minutes can help to loosen up your muscles. An added bonus is that the mental break may also clear your thinking and allow you to be more productive when you return to the computer! Try setting a timer to remind you to get up every hour. Stress at the workplace has been consistently linked to worse RSI, as well as to reduced speed of healing of the condition. If you are finding that work is a draining environment for you emotionally and psychologically, consider speaking to your boss and/or your coworkers about strategies to reduce your stress. You may very well find that, as your mood at work increases, your pain diminishes, as a number of studies have shown this correlation. Many people do not immediately think of an exercise routine as a potential solution to their RSI. However, exercises releases endorphins, which are natural pain-killers in the brain. Therefore, regular exercise has been correlated with significant pain reduction throughout the body. Try swimming, riding a stationary bike, or whatever activity interests you. As long as you do it for at least 2030 minutes, three or more times per week, and as long as it is something that gets your heart rate up and breaks a sweat, you will reap the benefits! If you find that your RSI has persisted beyond a few weeks without improvement, it is best to seek professional help sooner rather than later. People who receive treatment sooner have been shown to end up with better healing and results than those who wait to have their RSI evaluated by a professional.

Summary: Diminish your time spent at the computer. Modify your work environment. Take regular breaks. Consider the psychosocial factors at your workplace. Begin a regular exercise routine. See a physiotherapist or a physician sooner rather than later.

Your fire pit should be constructed on bare dirt. If you are at a location that has a designated fire pit area (like a campsite), you should build your fire there. If you are in a more uninhabited area, you should clear away any flammable woodland debris extending at least 8 feet away, and build your bonfire there. Make sure your fire pit is not directly under any tree branches or hanging plants. Scrape away at the area you intend to make your bonfire. The center section where you intend to build the fire should be a little depressed so the fire is more controlled, and the ember ashes have somewhere to fall. This will also help the wood fall in on itself rather than falling outward. Be sure to remove any leftover ash from previous fires. This will provide your bonfire with a clear base from which to start. Position rocks in a circle around the area you intend to build you fire. The rocks contain the bonfire while setting a boundary between the burning wood and flammable items. It is always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher nearby when building a fire. You may also want to consider keeping a bucket or two of water near your fire site. This will provide a backup for immediately putting out the fire, if need be.
Summary: Clear a space for your fire pit. Dig down into the pit. Set a perimeter of rocks. Prepare extinguishing tools.