11-09-2019, 10:09 PM
Point well taken Mr. Ken. I guess I should clarify that I don’t mean to dismiss or belittle in any way whatsoever the amazing achievements, talents or creations of craftsmen of yore. Indeed our modern world is built upon their work, talent and discoveries. I am astounded by what they were able to accomplish using basically only stone knives and bear skins.
What I question is the almost mystical qualities often attributed to, especially, old swords. Even in documentaries I’ve seen there is the suggestion that these blades are like a one time gift from God, with durability and sharpness never again to be obtained by mere corporal beings.
They always speak to how these ancient blades were able to take an edge so sharp as to be legendary. Additionally there is the suggestion that some dudes long ago knew some long lost secret sharpening method that produced edges so sharp that dust particles falling upon the edge would be cleaved. Really?
Some of the old blades were indeed incredibly beautiful works, and probably, for their time, pretty sharp. But the sharpness is unqualified and I have little doubt that many BESS Exchange members can produce blades with sharpness that would blow the old dudes away. We have forum members that routinely produce well below sub 50 sharpness razor blades with diamond compound sharpened on glass surfaces. I seriously doubt that any of the ancient blades ever approached these modern sharpness levels.
I would also suspect that some of the steel these guys came up with was pretty good. I saw one TV documentary where metallurgical analysis showed the blades were actually somewhat fine grain steel, no doubt astounding for their time. But now we can order off the ‘Net blades with about any hardness and super fine grains steel desired.
As an aside, as far as I know the sharpest modern edge is plasma polished diamond, followed by obsidian.
Anyway, the reason for this post was simply to evoke discussion about it’s title, “Ancient blades - Live up to the hype?”
What I question is the almost mystical qualities often attributed to, especially, old swords. Even in documentaries I’ve seen there is the suggestion that these blades are like a one time gift from God, with durability and sharpness never again to be obtained by mere corporal beings.
They always speak to how these ancient blades were able to take an edge so sharp as to be legendary. Additionally there is the suggestion that some dudes long ago knew some long lost secret sharpening method that produced edges so sharp that dust particles falling upon the edge would be cleaved. Really?
Some of the old blades were indeed incredibly beautiful works, and probably, for their time, pretty sharp. But the sharpness is unqualified and I have little doubt that many BESS Exchange members can produce blades with sharpness that would blow the old dudes away. We have forum members that routinely produce well below sub 50 sharpness razor blades with diamond compound sharpened on glass surfaces. I seriously doubt that any of the ancient blades ever approached these modern sharpness levels.
I would also suspect that some of the steel these guys came up with was pretty good. I saw one TV documentary where metallurgical analysis showed the blades were actually somewhat fine grain steel, no doubt astounding for their time. But now we can order off the ‘Net blades with about any hardness and super fine grains steel desired.
As an aside, as far as I know the sharpest modern edge is plasma polished diamond, followed by obsidian.
Anyway, the reason for this post was simply to evoke discussion about it’s title, “Ancient blades - Live up to the hype?”