How much would Cloud’s Buster Sword actually weigh?

Cloud Strife’s massive Buster Sword is just as much a fixture of the character as his spikey blonde hair. But how much would that immense weapon actually weigh?

Whether you are a fan of the RPG genre or not, if you follow gaming, you’ve likely heard of Cloud Strife. The stoic protagonist from Final Fantasy 7 has appeared in countless titles over the years, sometimes even with a new look. However, one iconic detail of Cloud’s attire is his Buster sword. While the sword looks wholly unwieldy, Cloud easily manipulates his Buster Sword like he’s swinging around a whiffle ball bat. How feasible is this?

The best way to bring the Buster Sword into reality is to try to break it down into its materials and parts. From there, it’s just a matter of tying in real-life weight.

Gigantic but not impossible

Fans have debated the Buster Sword’s functionality for years, with popular YouTube series Man At Arms even creating an 80 lb version of the weapon. However, one YouTube channel, Vsauce3, sought to answer the question definitively. To this end, the video breaks down the materials and composition of the weapon. 

By analyzing key artwork and comparing it to Cloud’s originally given height of 5’7″, the Buster Sword’s total length is estimated at 70.5″. The blade alone comes in at 54″ and appears between a half-inch and an inch thick. Though that might seem far too big for practical use, it’s noted that some European two-handed great swords, like the Zweihänder, have been known to reach 78″ in size. 

While the size of the Buster Sword may fall into the realm of believability, weight is a whole other matter. From sizing, the YouTuber estimates the sword’s width at around 10″, and that means a lot of metal. Assuming a standard 1 lb. handle for the weapon, the Buster Sword’s total weight is estimated to reach around 60 lbs. if made from a typical metal like steel. That said, if it were made from a lightweight zinc-aluminum alloy instead, the weight could drop down to around 20 lbs.

Square’s unofficial answer

Questions about the Buster sword’s weight have existed for as long as players have seen Cloud using the weapon. While Square Enix hasn’t ever officially commented on realistic weight, the Final Fantasy publisher once inadvertently offered its own take.

A full-scale replica of Cloud’s Buster Sword was shown off during the 2019 Tokyo Game Show to promote Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Undoubtedly tickling fans’ interest in its colossal size, a sign noted the Buster Sword was just over 6′ and weighed just under 15-and-a-half pounds.

While the replica’s weight comes pretty close to the zinc-aluminum alloy estimates offered by Vsauce3, it’s important to note that Square Enix’s version was made with the intent of becoming a photo prop. As such, it was likely made of lighter facimilies of real materials to ensure it wasn’t too heavy for attendees to weild while heaving their photo taken. Even at 15 pounds, a 6′ sword is no easy weapon to wield. However, it doesn’t seem like the Buster Sword is as impossible as players once thought.