Main Discussion Area > Flintknapping
how sharp can a rock be, anyway?
david w.:
Stone gets really sharp! I was knapping yesterday and had some flakes that were way sharper than steel.
Glass also gets wayy sharp
michbowguy:
OBSIDIAN IS THE ONE OF THE ONLY KNOWN MATERIALS THAT CAN SPLIT ITS OWN MOLECULE!!
obsidian is wayyy over 100 times sharper than any surgical honed edge.
rock has been putting red meat on the dinner table for THOUSANDS OF YEARS, who are we to question its ability?
mbg
radius:
what do you mean, "Who are we to question it?" You sound like rock is a god, and we are some ignorant prehistoric savages! Jesus!
We have minds so that we can question. (well, that's one thing to do with our minds, anyway!)
I have never knapped, so I don't know...hope you don't mind me asking...
Hillbilly:
Stone can get really, really, really sharp. All the scars on my hands illustrate it well. A stone edge feels different from a steel edge, though-so many people not used to it would think that a sharp knapped stone edge was duller than a steel one, but it'll sure slice the bejeezus out of meat. I've surprised a few people by picking up a "dull" piece of flint and slicing through heavy pigskin leather like it was butter.
cowboy:
I would say, it all depends on how ya knap or finish the edge. The edge of a spall that tapers out unworked is like a razor, but on the points that have the edge chipped and shaped it's more like a serrated steak knife - not razor sharp but does go through hide, bone, and meat nicely ;D.
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