Copper Culture

Thanks again for the comments folks!

Yeah Lorien.... Lots of examples of arrow points. And way easier to make in copper than iron. And really.. probably just as effective if you think about it.
 
Most excellen!
Really like the choice of matrial from a historical POV and also like the simple elegant lines.

How would a copper knife work for say a hunter/utility knife in terms of sharpening, edge retaining etc?
 
BladeScout said:
Most excellen!
Really like the choice of matrial from a historical POV and also like the simple elegant lines.

How would a copper knife work for say a hunter/utility knife in terms of sharpening, edge retaining etc?
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Well.. first you have to consider that this is the best material they had locally available. It's at least as good as work hardened iron, not as good as bronze and would not even compare to steel. But! While I have not yet had this Rockwell tested.. the research indicates historical pieces at 45-50 Rockwell. From my own testing.. it cuts fibrous material very well.. rope, coarse paper, thin leather. I think it would work well as a skinner. It would be easy to sharpen and would require touch-ups as you go. Also... The very thin tip I forged does accept some flex without taking a set. Bottom line... it is a real knife and a real tool that could certainly get the job done. But you just can't compare it to modern steel. Shoot... it is hard to compare historical steel to modern steel sometimes.

People sometimes forget that good edge geometry and design can make up for lower quality metal in a blade AND that a blade need only be harder than the material in which it is cutting.
 
Thanks for quick comprehensive answer.

I certainly wouldnt compare nor expect copper to 'stand up to' modern knife steels, but as you say, it was the best available at the time and it worked for those with access to copper.

The Rockwell numbers certainly are not too shabby - Ive uses a BETA titanium knife as a skinning knife for years and the Rockwell on those are comparable.
The ti knives work just fine and Ive no doubt the copper knives will as well, from your statement. Thanks again.

This knife might go into a Collection, but man would it be fun to give it a work out!

ScottRoush said:
People sometimes forget that good edge geometry and design can make up for lower quality metal in a blade AND that a blade need only be harder than the material in which it is cutting.
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Amen to that.
 
BladeScout said:
T

This knife might go into a Collection, but man would it be fun to give it a work out!
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I might make myself a little belt knife to use around the house. I did that a couple of years ago with one of my work hardened wrought iron knives and I still use it everyday. Cuts fine, frequent, but easy sharpening.
 
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