This happens at the microscopic cellular level. The wound heals exceptionally fast because the injury caused by the Obsidian edge leaves far less damage for the body to repair. Obsidian edges are well known for causing minimal damage when the rock edge cuts into the body and tissue it’s applied to. The difference is at the molecular level. The results speak for themselves the scarring that comes from a typical scalpel is far more pronounced than the cut by an Obsidian edge. The effect of the Obsidian edge is so dramatically better, some surgeons insist on using the rock in the form of a specialized scalpel rather than traditional medical fine steel tools. It might as well be a blunt hammer compared to the sharpness an Obsidian edge can have. Man-Made Tools Just Don’t Come Closeįor comparison, the typical facial razor blade, which most people consider extremely fine, measures between 300 and 600 angstrom. 30 angstroms is still extremely thin and as sharper if not sharper than a diamond edge. One angstrom is equal to a one hundred millionth part of a centimeter. Specifically, a fragment edge of Obsidian can be edged down to 30 angstroms. It has such a fine alignment of molecules internally, the edge of Obsidian becomes sharper than most other things that exist in the world for cutting, whether natural or man-made.Įven nanotechnology-made cutting tools have a hard challenge coming close to Obsidian. That integrated crystal structure is the key to how Obsidian functions as a cutting edge. Obsidian is a product of felsic lava, a lightweight version of magma that has exuded from inside a volcano and cooled off quickly, forming a crystal structure versus the otherwise normal volcanic rock matter at the molecular level.

The very nature of Obsidian’s sharpness comes from its creation inside volcanoes.Įarth’s own forces and incredible pressures make Obsidian and its benefits possible. Why is Obsidian So Sharp Being Natural Rock? This is evident at the microscopic level, a fact not known until modern times. Much of this resilience against time and not falling out of obsolescence has to do with the fact that Obsidian naturally cuts sharper than most other materials, even diamonds and fine steel. Why is Obsidian So Sharp? (EXPLAINED)ĭating back to paleolithic times, Obsidian has long been used as a cutting tool.įrom its very early form used as broken off flakes from larger pieces of the rock, to later, intricately carved tools and knives, Obsidian has been seen in every culture that has an ancient past, and the stone has found its uses today, even in modern surgery. A handful of surgeons are benefiting themselves by using them for fine incisions that they say heal with minimal scarring.Obsidian is really sharp! In the article that follows, you’ll all about obsidian and why it is that way. Believe it or not, but the sharpest knives produced lately are mounted with stone flakes made of obsidian. Interestingly, Stone Age blades are still used for cutting in modern surgery. Lee Green, professor and chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta, says he routinely uses obsidian blades. Do doctors use obsidian?Įven today, a small number of surgeons are using an ancient technology to carry out fine incisions that they say heal with minimal scarring. Cautionary note: Obsidian is a very fragile material.

The relatively inexpensive obsidian scalpel is a good substitute for an expensive diamond knife. Obsidian Scalpels It is ideal for applications where an extremely fine cutting action is required or where trace metals from ordinary scalpel blades cannot be tolerated.

Obsidian scalpel vs steel microscope