Pyramid Head Sword Facts and How to Choose a Replica
What’s in this article?
Anime katanas and longswords from fantasy video games are predominant in gaming, but the giant Pyramid Head sword towers among them all as one of the most famous swords in horror games. The sword appears in most Silent Hill games such as Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill: Homecoming, hence its popularity as a cosplay sword.
With the Silent Hill remake for playstation 5 having been recently announced by Konami, we can expect to see more of the Pyramid Head sword soon, so here’s a look at everything we may have missed about it.
Pyramid Head Sword Facts You Missed
Silent Hill fans are more than familiar with Pyramid Head’s sword, but the blade has small details about it in the lore and its legacy that you may not have noticed in its long years of having been released.
1. It’s Called the Great Knife
Often called just “Pyramid Head’s Sword”, it’s name is actually the Great Knife. This is because it really isn’t designed to be like conventional swords, but more like an oversized kitchen knife. If you pay close attention to it in the games, you’ll notice it has a curved blade that ends in a tapered point meant for slicing into flesh.
2. It Isn’t a Knife Either
The Great Knife from Silent Hill is described in the game’s lore as being a half-scissor blade that came out of James Sunderland’s psyche. Perhaps there’s a psychological symbol in the scissor-knife-sword regarding Jame’s inability to cut ties, hence the ineffective “half” scissor. Considering the psychoanalytic themes of Silent Hill, a trait it shares with Resident Evil, it wouldn’t be too far off to guess it may mean that.
3. It’s Been Shown in Dying Light and Dead by Daylight
Because the sword has since become such an iconic part of pop culture and horror media, it has been ported over to other big horror titles such as Dying Light and Dead by Daylight which are both survival horror games. In these games, the Great Knife is an item that can be equipped by NPC enemies or by killer enemy players who then hunt down the survivor players.
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A Guide to Picking Out Your Silent Hill Series Sword
Pyramid Head’s sword is similar in appearance and size to Guts’ sword in Berserk, making the sword quite heavy and resource-consuming for a mass produced replica. This is why when you do find a replica of swords of this size, you can expect to get them either as plastic, bamboo, or foam.
1. Plastic
Replica swords are often either made from ABS or PBS plastic which are high quality materials used in both food grade and medical grade supplies and tools. These plastics are able to withstand high temperatures, maintain their color, and resist becoming brittle over time.
2. Wood
Replica swords are often made of softer woods like teak or bamboo with the latter being the most common. Bamboo is cheap, durable, and flexible, so a lot of katana replicas are made from it. Its lightness and strength makes it ideal for most swords, even something as large as the Great Knife.
3. Foam
High density PU foam is a light yet dense foam that can keep its shape for a long time as long as it isn’t bent and is stored properly. This type of foam is the go-to material for claymore and other oversized sword replicas as it is the lightest among the three options on this list, definitely making the shipping cost more affordable.
Aside from the material, you will have to consider the cost and detailing of your replica Great Knife. Typically, a replica sword will get the general details right but the quality and depth of the details ultimately depend on how large your budget is.
Lastly, while replica swords look like in-game and even real life swords, please keep in mind that they are meant as decorations and cosplay props. Sharpening a stainless steel replica will not give you a real sword as the metal is not forged but molded, making it brittle compared to real swords.
Conclusion
Pyramid Head’s Great Knife is about as recognizable as its wielder in Silent Hill, hence its proliferation in other forms of media such as video games collaborations and on-screen adaptations. Purchasing your own Great Knife will take some work, but by paying attention to material, purpose, and price point, you’re bound to find one that fits your needs and budget.
