Does Obsidian Really Form the Sharpest Edge?

The video explores the sharpness of Flint and Obsidian compared to modern tools. A custom setup is built to test hair splitting with various edges, including a razor blade, chisel, Flint, and Obsidian. The sharpness is quantified using a homemade Bess certified Sharpness Tester and Atomic Force Microscopy. Results show that while Obsidian is sharper, its fragility limits practical use. The video concludes with a discussion on the need for application-dependent sharpness standards.

What materials are typically used to create sharp edges as mentioned in the text?

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How does a napped edge compare with modern edge grinding methods?

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What was the purpose of building a custom setup with a microscope and micrometer stages?

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What control was used before testing the Flint and Obsidian edges?

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What were the results of the hair splitting challenge with the razor blade?

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What did Alistair discover about the knapped Flint's ability to split hair?

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How did the Obsidian perform in the hair splitting test compared to the Flint?

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What method was used to quantify the sharpness of the edges?

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What were the findings regarding the sharpness of the razor blade and the chisel?

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What implications does the brittleness of the Obsidian edge have for its practical use?

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