I asked a friend on Deviantart if I could model his character's sword for my portfolio and got the thumbs up.
The most difficult part was the hilt and the head like design near the base of the sword. It was difficult getting it rounded enough and not so "hard surfaced".
See ref here -> http://fav.me/dbvp9fq
Finne Chordata's Sword [Clean]
Finne Chordata's Sword [Dirty]