Building first lightsaber...plz help out a newb

Hey, I'm making a Star Wars esque movie, and I'm going to build a lightsaber as a prop. I already have directions and I know what materials I need from this site....

http://www.wilcoxusa.net/saber/step-by-step.htm

But one question...what about the blade? I actually need to use them to fight, but where am I gonna find something that works as a blade? Remember, I'm actually gonna be swinging it at people,and I don't want to kill them...

Thnx

 

wish i could help with the hilt... but im just learning that, myself

for the blade, you could use a regular broomstick... thats what many fanfilms use. Just slide it into the hilt, and slip a nail to hold it in.