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Obsidian knives

Does anyone have an Obsidian knife? If so, what is your experience like? I have heard you can get them sharper than any steel blade. If that is the case, how do you sharpen them? It would seem to me they would "break" easier than steel knives as well. I have also heard that some surgeons still use them because you can make them sharper than steel blades. I am not sure of these facts and was hoping IKC members could shed some light on this subject. So I am looking for comments folks.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 6, 2012 at 17:53

Stanley,

I dont own one and dont know a great deal about them other than they can be simply, works of art. Check these out

http://www.obsidianarts.com/page2E.html

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Permalink Reply by Billy Oneale on November 8, 2012 at 20:45

I always think about buying one, but I haven't yet. SMKW had some Ed Rampley obsidian knives for sell on the show on Tuesday. I almost bit on it, but decided not to. I agree with Jan that they are works of art and 100% handmade.

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Permalink Reply by Stanley May on November 8, 2012 at 22:24

I agree most all obisian knives look like works of art and somewhat crude, but there are currently a few surgeons using obisian scalpals. Here is an example:http://www.ur.umich.edu/9798/Sep10_97/surgery.htm . Hard to believe they can make them that sharp. There is probably no other modern use for them other than the works of art for collectors. I also have been tempted to buy one, but never have.

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KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by chipmonk on November 9, 2012 at 16:57

Found your question on you’re page about obsidian blades. Yes, obsidian is the sharpest edge there it that I know of. Obsidian brakes to the molecule, so even under an electron microscope it appears as sharp as it does with the naked eye . I believe they (surgeons) use a special kind of glass blade now but maybe some one can answer that part better. I’ve been flint knapping a little over 35 years now so if there is anything I can help with, let me know .