I've only made the attack kind (my favourite!), but for the defense, I'd suggest cutting a piece of foam into the right shape for both the pommel and handguard. It'll have to come from a decent-sized chunk of foam, since you can't bend a thin piece and get it to stay that way without side supports. As for the blade, I used a regular bit of pipe insulation foam (with the ends trimmed to make it more rounded) and just slid a long blue sock over it. Be sure to use a knee-length sock without a bend at the heel, or it'll bunch up. Or you could use the normal blue duct tape.