Knife made of volcanic glass. Obsidian Knife

Since ancient times, mankind has sought to facilitate its work through various adaptations. One of the first tools was a knife. While people did not learn about metal, the material for its manufacture was stones and obsidian. A knife made of volcanic glass was widely used for ritual and everyday purposes of primitive tribes. He was not just an auxiliary tool and an effective weapon, but also demonstrated the status of a man, personified his courage and strength.

Obsidian

The natural glass of volcanic origin, which is formed due to a very rapid cooling of the lava, is called obsidian. There is a legend telling that an unusual stone first came to Europe thanks to the Roman Obsidium, hence the name.

According to another version, the name of the stone came from the Greek word "obsis", that is, a spectacle. It is known that mirrors were made of black obsidian.

Physical properties

In describing the physical properties of volcanic glass , the following characteristics are noted:

• The rock has a massive structure, completely glassy with a rare impregnation of microfenocrystals;
• Color and pattern of stone depend on microinclusions of magnetite, pale feldspars, iron oxides, etc .;
• Transparency depends on the inclusions, its degree varies from opaque to transparent (or translucent);
• Variable composition (dispersion from rhyolite to basalt glass): silicon dioxide - 75%, water - less than 1%;
• Shine silky, glass;
• Fracture acute, large shell;
• There is no cleavage;
• fragile;
• amorphous.

Types of Obsidian

The composition of obsidian is divided into five main types:

• Rhyolite - its composition resembles granite;
• Gabro - contains impregnations with grains of pyroxene;
• Porphyry - a bright red variety of andesite;
• Diorite - is formed on the basis of feldspar crystals , reminiscent of granite;
• Trachyte is a vitreous variety.

The composition of the rapidly frozen lava and the conditions for the formation of volcanic glass affect the color of the material:

• Snow. One of the most beautiful species. On a common black or dark brown background, there are slightly blurred white spots resembling snowflakes.
• Rainbow. It shows clearly distinguishable layers of blue, red, green hues. The color range is especially beautiful on the cut. He is also called a peacock's tail or a midnight lace.
• The black. The trade name in the US is a mountain diver or a black Nevada diamond. Has a deep pure black color.
• Tears of Apache. A variety of black obsidian is the rounded discharge.
• Black and red. Characterized by alternating red and black colors. The second name of this striped species is mountain mahogany.
• Irizant. Obsidian, full of the smallest gas and liquid impregnations, gives a golden or silver effect. Sometimes there is a multi-colored version: bluish-blue, red, green or rainbow.

One of the most beautiful varieties with a pearl shade was discovered in Armenia. Rare species include green montane greed, a transparent aquamarine obsidian of a greenish hue and a dark purple strombolite.

Place of Birth

The mineral is found almost all over the world. Such deposits are in Mexico USA, Russia, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine.

Ancient knife

A knife made of horn and volcanic glass was a cult object and was used in the ritual of human sacrifice among the Aztecs. It was flat, double-edged, had a leaflike shape. Hand processing left unevenness on it, but this did not reduce its properties easily and smoothly cut the flesh.

The length of the weapon could reach 30 cm, and the width - 6 cm. The handle, as a rule, was made of stone. Sometimes used hard wood species, horns or bones of animals. We fastened the blade with specially welded glue from scales and bones or with the help of animal tendons, shoots of plants. There was a technology of reflow of tendons.

Products from a stone

Scientists-archaeologists believe that the use of obsidian began about eight thousand years ago and was due to the properties of the material:

• lasting;
• It splits well into layers;
• On the chips it forms sharp sections.

It was widely used for the manufacture of a number of cutting and pricking devices: axes, knives, scrapers, arrowheads, spears and the like. Metal replaced obsidian, but not in all cultures. Indians of South America did not know the ore business, they for many centuries used a knife made of volcanic glass. Without him, rituals of sacrifice and embalming were not complete. In sharpness, such weapons are far superior to metal counterparts.

The spread of knives was promoted by trade relations between countries. The merchants exported luxurious, richly decorated items all over the world. It was prestigious to have such a work of art, it spoke of the status and wealth of the family.

In addition to tools, from obsidian made jewelry, mirrors, household items.

Knives

Until now, the obsidian knife finds its connoisseur. Modern technologies offer completely unique materials for the production of household utensils, including cutting tools. But natural glass is unsurpassed in beauty.

A knife made of volcanic glass is made with observance of the most ancient technologies. Use the appropriate materials and tools. All such modern knives are divided into three groups:

1. The first include souvenirs. Although such products can be used. They are gladly bought by fishermen and hunters. At minus temperature, the wet tackle begins to adhere to the metal blade. A knife made of volcanic glass is devoid of this shortcoming, besides, it cuts fine, does not stupid and breaks down only in case of breakage. Another plus is that it's a relatively cheap knife. The cost of souvenirs varies from 20 to 100 US dollars
2. The second group includes knives, made as jewelry. Old technology is not always suitable, so it is often improved. The dimensions of the knives depend on the customer's request. Decorated handles are so pretentious that it is simply impossible to use such products. For the production of stones are selected with a variety of impregnations - this improves the appearance of the weapon, but reduces the quality of the blade. How much is a knife made of volcanic glass, determined by the master. Everything depends on the complexity of manufacturing and the value of the decorating details.
3. The third group includes products created using modern technologies. Polishing of the glass deprives the gun of the characteristic chips, narrows the blade, because of what the quality of the knives suffers. The handle of such a sample is more convenient and practical than jewelry analogues, but because of the fragility of the blade, it is rather a souvenir than an instrument.

Modern use

Modern medical knowledge allows surgeons to perform very delicate operations (plastic surgery, ophthalmology). Nanotechnology requires the use of the finest blade. To date, a knife made of volcanic glass is widely used for these purposes. The price of the original scalpel ranges from $ 60-100. It depends on the fineness of the blade. The tip of the knife, or rather, of its cutting edge, can be only 0.02 microns thick. A thin incision is quickly tightened.

Of course, modern technologies allow producing more delicate cutting tools. Diamond scalpels have a thickness of only 0.003 microns, they are durable and stronger than obsidian ones. But high prices of one or more thousand dollars do not contribute to their wide distribution.

To produce a handle of such a scalpel, take hardwoods, usually maple. Using an epoxy resin, a blade is attached to it. This manufacturing technology allows the tool to be heat treated in an autoclave without any damage.

One scalp can withstand up to 20 operations. The disadvantage is the fragility of the knife - at lateral pressure it breaks. Another nuance: there are no two identical instruments. Manual production does not allow to make the size and shape of the blade absolutely identical.

Such a tool is also in demand in cooking. Today, cooks have not only metal knives in their hands. Ceramic products are widely used. Knives (Chinese, German, Japanese) have perfectly proven themselves as a reliable professional tool. In terms of their physical qualities, they resemble obsidian blades.

Manufacturing technology

The production of a knife made of volcanic glass is carried out in three stages:

1. Processing the workpiece by the drummer. The workpiece itself must be twice as large as the final tool. Strong and precise impact at an angle of 90 ° splits the material so that a flat, even surface is formed. The edge will be sharp, it can be cut.
2. To give the blade a certain shape, it needs to be worked on a bit. To do this, bone or a very hard tree you need to "tweak" the blade. Such work requires patience, time and accuracy.
3. Finishing of the blade by pressing. An "anvil" is laid out with bark (or other cushioning material), a knife is placed on it and a small stick (or a lower part) is gently punctured with a pointed stick or bone. Thus, they give a more flat shape to the blade and ensure its sharpness.

The handle is made of horn or wood. The blade is attached to the glue, you can fix it with the help of tendons or thin straps. Such a weapon can be used to cut a rope or remove a skin from a game.

Master and his knives

Jeff Hall (Jeff Hall) - one of the most famous masters, who uses volcanic glass as a material for making a knife. He lives and works in the US (Washington State). Here's how to describe the work of the wizard:

• The blade has a translucent delicate gray color. Handle is made from the horn of the American antelope in the form of a dragon's claw. The length is 20 cm.
• For the blade, obsidian was chosen with smoky, black and red veins. At a certain angle, the blade acquires a golden luster. The handle is made similar to the first sample. The length is 17.8 cm.
• A blade of black volcanic glass (mined in Northern California). Specially treated and ground handle is made of cactus cholla. The length is 16.5 cm.

Absolutely all Hall products are equipped with certificates of authenticity.

There is another rather popular obsidian knife called "The Heart of Pele". This is a sample of the traditional ritual weapons of Indians of South America.

A triangular double-sided blade with a sharp end is attached to a graceful curved wooden handle. The blade is made of a transparent obsidian of a reddish shade with black linear inclusions. The length of the product - 22.5 cm, width - 3 cm, weight - 80 grams. A fine example of handmade work can be used as a ritual object and as an element of decor.

Chinese knives made of volcanic glass are offered in large quantities as souvenirs. They are not as exquisite as pieces of masters, but, nevertheless, can be an excellent gift for a man.

Benefits

Blade of obsidian has better cutting properties than steel blade. Does not require any special care. Does not crack, is not subject to destruction during operation. Does not fade, does not lose its natural color and polish.

In addition to practical purposes, such a knife can serve as a wonderful gift, an element of decor, used as an object of ritual.

disadvantages

All products made of volcanic glass are very fragile. Any impact or lateral pressure may damage the blade. The blade must not be subjected to overcooling or heating. But with careful handling the knife can serve many years, without losing the ability to cut perfectly.