Singing blades

Yes,

the specific

natural frequency of a knife's

resonance is

determined by the size of the blade, its geometry, composition, and the microstructure resulting from the heat treatment and

temper of the steel.

I imagine, a brilliant engineer could likely even design a knife to have a specific resonant frequency, taking all relevant factors into consideration. That's way beyond me though. I would simply design with a rudimentary understanding of the above, and end up with one that sings whatever tune it ends up singing.
 
LmpwZw
 
Yes,



natural frequency of a knife's



determined by the size of the blade, its geometry, composition, and the microstructure resulting from the heat treatment and



I imagine, a brilliant engineer could likely even design a knife to have a specific resonant frequency, taking all relevant factors into consideration. That's way beyond me though. I would simply design with a rudimentary understanding of the above, and end up with one that sings whatever tune it ends up singing.
Its been said that when Remington was making pocket knives in their heyday 100 years ago the cutlers would toss blades onto the cement floor in the corner of the room to check the temper. If the blades "had a good ring" to them when they hit the floor, they were tempered right.

I have some knives that will do this.
These are from Argentina, forged carbon steel, good distal taper, 1/8" or less thick. They are also more than 50 years old give or take.
TrxqTZU.jpg
pKpwOko.jpg

This one is a pchak from the Andijon region in Ubekistan, forged carbon steel, distal taper, about 1/8" thick.
dmh4YXE.jpg
 
My scythe sings when I run the scythe stone down the length of the blade. That's the best singer I have as far as blades go.
Yup, when I used to do that the blades were always ringing when being sharpened.
Not quite the same thing but when you are jointing and filing the cutters on a crosscut saw there is a distinct ziiinnnnng riiiinng the whole time you are running the file across them. Its from the way they are tempered.
 
Okay well I never actually watched the movie, so now I don't know what that one means..... (for those wondering, I had to have the oldmanwilly explain the huckleberry one to me a couple years ago, and it took a bit for me to get it 🤣 )

ETA: Ah, found the answer.

View attachment 2635670

Well, that's helpful seeing as I use that line on the daily. :)

With all those extra reeses peanut butter cups and variations of poutine around. I wouldn't sit through the best movie ever made either.
 
Wait - we can attach pictures again!?!? Awesome! No limits I assume? 😉

Here’s the only knife in my house that sings.

9D792141-0930-483B-BAA4-89B2EED19DD1.jpeg

It’s the one on top - Miyabi 5000DP. Thin 9.5” blade in CMV60 (VG10) steel.

I got it on request as an anniversary present for my wife after she got to try out a bunch of chefs knives at a “Knife Skills” class at our local community college. It’s a laser. 👍
 
Last edited:
Back
Top