I will doing a cake similar to this one: http://media.cakecentral.com/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/70359/normal_DSC01004.JPG
and I was wondering if I could get some ideas on how to do the sword. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
VERY cool cake. In this photo it looks to me like it's a sword from the dollar store, probably lighweight plastic. And it looks like the sword is at the back of the cake, not actually through it. If you want to make it, maybe try pastillage or gumpaste, and make it well in advance so you know if it words for you. Especially since the weight can be an issue in attaching it.
I don't think the sword is actually through the cake but rather just on both ends. If you look closly, there would be a curve in the center of the sword. For weigh purposes and so that it doesn't tear the cake down you might want to try attahing it on both sides.
Cute cake! It looks like it was made with gum paste, modeled into two separate pieces. My guess is that what you don't see is the length of the piece that's sticking into the cake. So if the sword piece on a table is say 12" long, then 3" of that is now inside the cake... I'd wait to add the sword to the cake until delivery... and use gum paste strengthened with skewers or something equally as stiff so that the moisture of the cake doesn't weaken your pieces. Can you PM the original decorator for assistance?
I would make it out of grey gumpaste, make sure you have plenty of time to dry it, and insert it into the sides of the cake. For added strength you could insert dowels in the gumpaste and let them dry in there to use to stick into the cake further.
To me it looks as though it is made of gumpaste but it is not actually through the cake. It looks like it could be 2 separate pieces stuck on, but without being able to see the cake from the back and sides it's hard to tell.
I was thinking the same thing!
I just noticed the link, this cake is posted on CC? Maybe write the original designer and ask them for guidance?
Yes, a friend sent me the link, but being fairly new, I'm not quite sure how to find who made the cake. I tried to search "pirate" in the gallery, but after looking at 74 pages (all the pages that came up!), I couldn't locate it. Is there a more efficient way to find who posted the picture??
I was initially thinking 50/50 gumpaste and mmf... but thought that it might be too heavy..... I like the idea of the dowels to stick further in the cake... I may have to try it and see what happens.
Thanks ladies and if you have further suggestions, please feel free to chime in!!
I found her for you. She uses the name Melony. The link to her page is: http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=profile&mode=viewprofile&u=60359
(I just lucked out and right away found a similar cake and that person gave credit for the inspiration to Melony, looked her up, and there was her cake)
I read through her comments and she said the sword is made out of 2 separate pieces held in the cake with lollipop sticks attached to the back of the sword with melted choc. 
I read through her comments and she said the sword is made out of 2 separate pieces held in the cake with lollipop sticks attached to the back of the sword with melted choc.
If you prefer to have the cake viewable from all sides (as I do), you could also make the sword with skewers IN the gumpaste sword, and slide those into the cake, versus "gluing" sticks to the back of the sword.
thanks so much ladies!!!! You are amazing! I can't believe the quick response I got! I will probably do a practice 6 inch cake with the sword to see if there are any pitfalls .. the last thing I need is a disaster at the last minute. thanks again!!
I made the cake last weekend and had such a blast with it! The sword is made out of gumpaste (hubby actually made it) and lollipop sticks were glued to the back of it with chocolate. Thanks for all of your ideas! Here it is! (i'm not sure how to attach photos, so here is the link).
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo_1653887.html
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