Resident Evil: Claire Redfield's Knife

I was commissioned to make Claire Redfield’s knife from the video game Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. The final knife will be shipped to my friend Fevereon in Atlanta so she can make a sheath and shoulder holster for it.



Because of the engraved logo on the blade, I decided to have the parts laser cut out of a compressed wood (very much like MDF) by friends at Scorpion Ridge Engraving.



Here is a detail of the laser engraved logo. There’s just no way I could’ve done this by hand! Plus it’s identical on both sides of the blade.



The guard was also laser cut as a separate element. It fits perfectly.



The final component is the grip texture. I had the checkered pattern laser cut deeply out of the surface. I then used fine files to bevel each edge of the little squares so I wound up with a texture of fine raised diamonds.



I then made a silicone mold of the grip segment so it could be duplicated in resin.



Here are all the pieces for one half of the grip.



For the insets between grip panels, I glued on 1/8” balsa strips. I also used the balsa to frame out the pommel.



I shaped the insets before I added the grip panels….much easier that way.



The panels are a bit wide so I had to trim off a sliver on each side.



A quick test fit…everything works so far!



I beveled the back side of the grip, glued them in place and then shaped the curved bevel of the other side.



I glopped Bondo into the pommel until it filled the framed area.



The smooth sanded pommel half.



I used the laser scribed line as a guide to carve an edge on the blades.



A test fit of two blade halves together.



A coat of primer to clean up any small defects.



I cut some balsa risers to mold the knife halves.



The knives ready for silicone. Raising the masters will keep the edges clean.



I thinned coat of Smooth-On Roto to capture the fine detail.



A thick coat of roto to build the mold walls.



After I made a support mold with Plasti-Paste, I pulled my masters out. The mold turned out super clean!



I poured a small amount of resin into the mold and then added a thin steel rod for additional support. The guard also got a small steel bar.



The two halves glued together!



I filled the seam and gave it a coat of primer.



The final painted knife!



Detail shot of the grip



It’s a very comfortable knife to hold. Time to find a zombie to stab!



Download plans HERE to build your own.

Kits are available. Email me at mike(at)blindsquirrelprops.com for details.