Behind every knife is the art of bladesmithing—the metalworks technique that produces blades.
This thousand-year-old practice has created blades, swords, and knives that have won wars and propped up empires. Fast forward to today, and knives are mainly used as a matter of practicality, defense, and survival.
While today's bladesmithing may look different than ancient times, it's important for any knife enthusiast to know the origins of this art form. Let's dig a little deeper.
The First Blades
It should be no surprise that the first blades were made of rock, bone, and flint. They were easily shapeable into sharp objects and could be seared down to make a sharp cutting edge. However, they were brittle, and humankind was on the search for something stronger.
Neolithic Daggers
Discovered over 6,000 years ago, copper was the metal used to make the first metallic blades. Even though it substantially stronger than its predecessor, it remained soft and malleable. However, mixed with tin, it transforms to bronze.
Not only is bronze three times stronger than copper, it is also easier to mold and shape. This allowed bladesmiths of the era to build swords and blades at a faster rate, therefore able to supply an army. However, bronze still bent in the intensity of a close combat fighting.
The Iron Age
From the age of stone, copper, and bronze, it took hundreds of years for iron to be discovered and utilized. Funny enough, iron was available everywhere across the planet, compared to copper, which only resided in secluded mines. Iron was also immensely stronger but was prone to rust, which is why we don’t see many modern surviving examples.
Roman Gladius Iron Swords
That said, iron blades were used by the Roman Empire more than any other civilization. Soldiers were equipped with the long Gladius sword and the short Pugio dagger. The Roman Civilization's conquering of many parts of the world for centuries is a testament to the strength of the iron blade.
But let’s not forget what was happening in the North with the Vikings either. Their love of the iron blade and swords was so deep that they overtook and conquered lands far from their origins with ease. Vikings placed such importance on their swords that they gave them names.
Damascus Steel
Named after the capital city of Syria and cherished for its distinct pattern on the blade, nobody really knows how the process of making Damascus steel came about. But the blades' performance was legendary—sharp, tough, and shatter resistant.
Damascus Steel Knife
In 2006, German researchers revealed that they found nanowire and carbon nanotubes found in a blade forged from Damascus Steel. This super-flexible, yet extremely strong steel has seen a revived interest in Damascus steel knives, and bladesmiths are successfully replicated this almost lost process.
The Modern Age of Knives
With the advent of super-high conducting plasma technology, modern science has been able to create many “metal alloys” that would look like magic to our ancestors. These metal alloys, created and assembled by modern bladesmiths are so strong that their strength, durability, and sharpness were unthinkable even ten years ago.
We have come a long way from the days of stones, copper, and bronze. Steel has also evolved into many facets that are too long to list, and are used for so many industrial purposes. Tekto Knives mainly uses 440C steel, which is a modern stainless steel that has a high carbon content, which provides high hardness and strength. Despite the high carbon content, there is enough Chromium in 440C for it to retain its stainless features.
If you're looking for an ultra-modern personal knife that's not only practical but super stylish too, browse our catalog to find that perfect blade for you.
