To become a ninja master, you need discipline, a silent footstep, and an impressive personal arsenal. Author and toy designer John Austin provides step-by-step instructions on how to turn everyday household and office items into 37 different ninja weapons for the modern era, including: the Crouching Tiger Catapult,  Paper Clip Grappling Hook, Origami Boomerang, Magazine Nunchucks, Craft Stick Katana, Pencil Top Eraser Dart, and more! Once you’ve assembled an armory, the author provides several targets to practice your shooting skills—nested paper cups become a dragon; chopsticks and a paper plate form a tripod bulls-eye, and more. Armed, trained, and shrouded in black, you are now prepared for missions of reconnaissance and sabotage and other grim errands. “ Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction: Build and Master Ninja Weapons is another great instruction manual from John Austin. Whether folding a throwing star from a sheet of notebook paper or fashioning a blowgun and dart from the newspaper, you’ll have hours of fun with this book.” —GeekDad John Austin is a professional toy designer and author of MiniWeapons of Mass Destruction series, as well as So Now You’re a Zombie . He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction Build and Master Ninja Weapons By John Austin Chicago Review Press Incorporated Copyright © 2014 Austin Design, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-61374-924-1 Contents Introduction, Play It Safe, 1 Throwing Stars, 2 Throwing Darts, 3 Blunt Dart Blowguns, 4 Pointed Dart Blowguns, 5 Siege Weapons, 6 Melee and Ranged Weapons, 7 Targets, CHAPTER 1 CARDBOARD THROWING STAR The Cardboard Throwing Star is perhaps the most popular MiniWeapon in the young ninja's arsenal due to its straightforward construction and easily accessible materials. The design is innocent enough for indoor dojo training, and if you are a sensei on a budget, this ninja star costs very few yen to mass produce. Supplies 1 piece of corrugated cardboard Metallic duct tape (or similar) Tools Safety glasses Scissors Pen Ruler Step 1 Begin construction by cutting a piece of corrugated cardboard to be approximately 8 inches by 4 inches. Corrugated cardboard from a shipping box is ideal because of its added weight, which will increase the star's throwing range. With a pen and ruler, draw two identical rectangles, 6 inches long by 1 ½ inches wide, on the cardboard piece. Then on both rectangles, make a small mark at the halfway point on each of the four sides. Draw a straight line to each halfway mark, creating two diamonds as shown. Step 2 Use scissors to cut both diamonds from the cardboard. Discard the leftover cardboard scrap. Wrap both cardboard diamonds with metallic duct tape. The tape's finish will give this throwing star an authentic metal appearance. However, electrical and masking tape will also work. Step 3 Stack both diamonds together at their center points, as shown. Secure the sections by wrapping tape around the four corners of the assembly. The Cardboard Throwing Star can be thrown horizontally or vertically using a motion similar to that for throwing a Frisbee. Hold the star parallel to your palm, gripping it between your thumb and index finger. Then use the weight of your body and arm in tandem to add power, letting the star slip from your fingertips. Be prepared: hold a stack of throwing stars in your opposite hand that can be slid off and flicked in rapid succession. Test your ninja star throwing skills with the Lantern Knockout ( page 289 ). Remember to use eye protection! Cardboard Throwing Stars have pointed tips and can reach high speeds. Mini Weapon projects are not meant for use on living targets. Always stay clear of spectators and throw in a controlled manner. CHAPTER 2 PAPER PLATE NINJA STAR Gripping the Paper Plate Ninja Star, an innocent-looking ninja is contemplating mayhem. Constructed from a single paper plate and a few slices of the katana (sword), the star can quickly be folded and assembled into a formidable secondary weapon. Plus, with plates available in bundles of 50 or more, you can afford to outfit a whole clan of ninjas. Supplies 1 disposable paper plate (thin, round) Tools Safety glasses Marker Ruler Drinking glass, plastic cup, or plastic lid (approximately 2 ½-inch diameter) Scissors Stapler Clear tape Step 1 For this project to be successful, use a very thin, round disposable paper plate. Place the plate face up and locate the approximate center point. Use a marker and a ruler to divide the plate into four equal parts by drawing two guidelines from edge to edge as shown. Next, place the glass, cup, or lid in the center of the plate and trace the circle diameter onto the plate with the marker. This added center circle will be the core of the throwing star. Step 2 Divide the four sections into eight sections by placing the ruler as shown by the dashed guidelines. With the ruler intersecting the mark