Is is possible to create a sword and then use it in the regular non-modded game?
I want to make a sword with a specific name but if I create it in the modding tools, it just reverts back to the original sword I used as a template when the mod is removed.
You need the mod as the mod contains the information about the sword. You’d have to modify the actual game files in order to do what you want.
I kind of thought that, and then the name change would only show for me and not anyone else.
They would need your mod as well.
ibugsy is right, your content shows up only in your mod, but you can still play the main map. Just building a mod with no files in it gives you the vanilla game with no changes. See the Asset Manager tutorial for details.