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how sharp can a rock be, anyway?

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radius:
Just how sharp can a rock really be?  I mean, come on:  sharper than steel?  AS sharp as steel? 

stickbender:


     Osidian, or volcanic glass is far superior to steel in sharpness.  They have done surgery with obsidian blades, and they were far sharper, and the edge lasted longer than the modern scalpals.  Look at a metal edge under a micro scope, and it will look like an old abused saw blade.  The stone point has a molecular edge, and is very smoothe.  Flint, chert, and other similar stones will likewise produce a sharper edge than steel.  The advantage to steel, is it's ability to absorb more schock without breaking, and to flex.

ricktrojanowski:
If you get a chance work with some obsidian.  You''ll find out the hard way how sharp it is. ;)

Justin Snyder:
What Stickbender said.   A sharp obsidian edge is the sharpest edge known to mankind.  It is often one molecue wide at the edge.  Justin

D. Tiller:
Yep! I have the spilt blood to prove it too!

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