"Insert the hilt material through the hole and leave a little extra length. Position the sword so that contact surface is only at the hilt and not the handle, or the nail when bend when struck and possibly crack. Lightly hammer directly over the feed through, alternating sides to keep it straight. It may take several on each side to get it to start to firm up. When the wire cannot slide through anymore, strike each side a few more times to make sure it doesn't turn while shaping the hilt in the next step. If the handle gets bent out of line with the blade in these steps, gently bend back in place with vice grips, but be cautious of cracking at the hole."