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Does anyone know if there have ever been any glass razor blades in use? Glass should be able to take quite an edge, but I'm not sure if it could be smoothed out enough. I'm also thinking the harder edge might not deform.
Anyone have any thoughts or, better yet, info?
How about ceramic? I see knives made of ceramic.
I've seen quite a few glass knives in antique stores when I'm on the prowl. Typically they have chipped edges, but that's probably from neglect or misuse. Wouldn't a super thin razor edge made of glass chip easily?
Chris L
Glass is a liquid with extremely high viscosity. Is glass liquid or solid?
I think obsidian has been used for scalpels. Perhaps glass is the next step for razors. We have alcohol for gasoline, wind for electricity, and crooks for bankers:OT What other marvels will greet our future?
Come to think of it, I believe I read the Aztecs did use obsidian for shaving. Bruce, you should be the first to give it a try. Post pics of course!;)
Chris L
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce
:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao
The are obsidian razors available for purchase at the present time. Mostly they are conversation pieces. The problem with glass razors is the edge would have to be so thin it would be much too fragile. talk about microchipping. And how would you hone it? Also I think glass is much too hard. Many many times harder than steel.
Here's a pic of a glass wedge I finished for a friend yesterday
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3893/glassua9.jpg
Pretty sweet, huh?
Sorry, the pic made me laugh :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBubba
the thing is that i can' tell if you're lying or not! haha
That is a well done shot.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBubba
I was just curious how the hardness/microchipping would play out. Thanks for the insights provided this far, and more are always welcome.
Heh, sorry for the :HJ.
Back on topic, wasn't there a thread here (quite a while ago) about a possible group buy on glass or obsidian razors? IIRC the thread starter was from Australia.
The idea is intriguing...
That is one clever photo! BTW, obsidian (I have read) is knapped similar to flint, not ground like steel, to give an edge. The edge so obtained is supposedly frighteningly sharp and can be re-knapped when it dulls. I have seen a photo (can't remember where) of an obsidian-bladed scalpel and strewth did it look mean!Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBubba
I do seem to recall an article adout eye surgeons using micolithic obsidian blades because the edge is so fine that healing times are significantly reduced. I think the man making them was Brett Callaghan ?.
It was a while ago so someone else may have more accurate information.
On the ceramic blade front It may well be doable as ceramic blades are cast . So its within the bounds of the material to make a straight but probably a Japanese style straight with an equal grind would be best & easier to make . That way it could be stored in a well cushioned case to guard against breakage.
Just my 10 c worth .Paul
I looked into the ceramic thing a while ago, none of the manufacturers want to have anything to do with it because the market is so small.
I couldn't even get triangular shaped ceramic blocks sent to me (so that I could try and put an edge on them with diamond hones and pastes) unless I was going to buy a couple hundred dollars worth.
Did you try these guys?Quote:
Originally Posted by Russel Baldridge
I was thinking you could perhaps create some sort of "frameback" razor holder for one of these.
Thoughts?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seraphim
Interesting.
I know nothing about ceramics other than the fact the Shaptons do a great job on steel. Depending on the ceramic composition, would it end up being something that would need to be honed on diamond plates only?:shrug: If so, at this time, wouldn't that relegate us to 8000 grit D8EE edges? Ceramic knives have been around a long time, so they must be sharpened somehow.
Chris L
Diamond lapping film is available in a full spectrum of grits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris L
Page 11 of this catalog
Nice! Thanks for the link too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seraphim
Chris L
I believe that is correct. I also think that because of this, the edge isn't and cannot nearly be "straight" and even like a razor. I think it can be as sharp yes, but used mostly for incision type uses. If obsidian used to be used for shaving waaaay back and isn't anymore maybe it says something about the comfort or lack thereof!Quote:
Originally Posted by blueprinciple
I think most ceramic knives are kitchen knife style- as far as I've seen, but I'm not deep into knives. Anyway, on kitchen knives I don't think many besides Japanese steel are honed past 1k-4k. :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris L
I have a ceramic kitchen knife and its great however because of its design you can't hone it yourself even with diamond hones. It has to go back to the factory and thats the real issue with it. I've told my wife and kids anyone caught using that knife but me will be shot on sight. The blade is very light like nothing, and the slightest torque or spill will destroy it. I don't think ceramic would be practical for a razor. You couldn't strop it or hone it. yes it would last a long time and then there is that brittle edge and microchipping.
Do you mean because of the curvature of the blade of your kitchen knife it can't be honed even with diamond hones or are you saying ceramic blades in general can't be honed with diamond hones? If so, why not?Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
Chris L
I've had a piece of obsidian, and it is indeed impossible to knap it straight.
Of course if you are very skilled you could perhaps knap it to something that looks reasonably straight, but it would still be serrated, and dangerous as hell.
Perhaps it is possible to knap a piece of obsidian, and get a fingernail sized smooth curved edge.
You could mount it on a twig and shave with it, DE style. Now that would be something to see :)
"There is no clear answer to the question "Is glass solid or liquid?".... Nevertheless, from a more common sense point of view, glass should be considered a solid since it is rigid according to everyday experience."Quote:
Originally Posted by wopmanfixit
from "Conclusion"...last paragraph in the article.
:shrug: Evidently a matter of 'preferred' interpretation.
Some people consider glass a liquid because the crystalization process lasts lifetimes. I.e. plain glass is forever locked in a phase change. Or so I've heard.
You might as well call a tree 'liquid'.
The ceramic kitchen knives are meant to be sent out to be shaprened by the manufacturer, IIRC.
Thanks Craig.
No, I didn't try those guys, but I kinda lost hope because the time involved to develop a "new technology" is just unreasonable for me right now.
Those razor blades are probably as close to being usable as we're likely to get, but theres no guarantee that a smooth edge is possible either. It may be possible to use lapping pastes to get the edge down to sub micron sharpness but the grain of the ceramic would have to be extremely fine as well, which is something I have no knowledge of currently.
This is not true, look at the microlith technology of the central america's. They took a single core and shaped it so that thin straight blades could be flaked of repeatedly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno
Also many people like smiling blades.
Well the best answer is really glass is a glass. There are interesting things being done with glasses made out of metals, it is an active area of material science.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Blacksmith
The other point is that glass has not been shown to flow at average temperatures.
So if it flows it might be in the mm per millions of years level, but it does not flow in any as yet measured way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PonderingTurtle
The problem is not that it is curved (which I like) but also that it would likely have a warp as well.
It would be similar to shaving with a sharpened spoon.
Also, you might get thin straight blades, but when you knap them to get a razor's edge, they won't be straight anymore.
Of course I might misunderstand what you mean, so do you have a link that contains some pictures?
a picture of some prismatic blades.Quote:
Originally Posted by PonderingTurtle
From Polyhedral Core to Exhausted Core / Methods of Obsidian Tool Production
Very nice :tu
I knew that knapping didn't work, but this technique seems to work just fine. I stand corrected.