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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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