True, it is not soft but you could try sharpening a tig rod and see if it holds the point enough to your satisfaction. It should be a fair test to predict the behaviour of the particles in the copper loaf
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It started with copper !
- Thread starter mete
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- Apr 29, 2008
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- 132
Actually, my son bought a copper bladed knife at a civil war re enactment. He was told they were cold forged and shaped with a course file. They were used exclusively for opening powder sacks because they would not spark. He hasn't used it but he thought it was cool enough to buy.
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- Apr 29, 2008
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i'll try and get one tonight when I get home.
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While not copper, per se, there are some interesting videos on Youtube of some bronze swords being tested. I was surprised at how well they seemed to hold an edge, but the blades would bend over repeated blows. One in particular was double edged. After it bent during chopping on wood, the tester flipped it over and belabored away with the other edge, straightening the blade again before it started bending the other direction. 
During all this, and impacts on shield edges and other weapons, the edge held up pretty darn well.
Oetzi had a copper ax with him when he died. Must have had some advantage over stone (although stone would also have some advantage over copper).
During all this, and impacts on shield edges and other weapons, the edge held up pretty darn well.
Oetzi had a copper ax with him when he died. Must have had some advantage over stone (although stone would also have some advantage over copper).
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They are still examining Otzi after all these years .The copper axe has now been identified as made from copper from Tuscany ! Comments about the axe vary but one is that the construction , high polish etc , indicates it's a badge of rank , not a working axe !
In those days metal working people were highly thought of .A very recent discovery in Egypt is a goldsmith and his wife buried in a cemetery for high ranking officials !
In those days metal working people were highly thought of .A very recent discovery in Egypt is a goldsmith and his wife buried in a cemetery for high ranking officials !