A Brief History of the Knife, from the Westside Sharpener
Primitive Stone Tools Made Two Million Years Ago
The Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) is the prehistoric era distinguished by the development of the first stone tools by Homo habilis, among the earliest known species of the genus Homo, the genus to which present day humans belong. The Paleolithic covers roughly 99% of human technological history. Homo habilis was short and had long arms compared to modern humans. Homo habilis had a cranial capacity slightly less than half of the size of modern humans. Despite the ape-like shape of their bodies, Homo habilis remains are often found accompanied by primitive stone tools.
Metal Tools Came into Widespread Use Over 5,000 Years Ago
The earliest knives were made by the flaking of rock, particularly harder rocks such as obsidian and flint. About five thousand years ago, as advances in metallurgy progressed, stone, wood, and bone blades were gradually succeeded by copper, bronze, iron, and eventually steel. The first metal (copper) knives were symmetrical double edged daggers, which copied the earlier flint daggers.
The razor and nail cutter pictured above date from the European Early Iron Age and were found during the archaeological excavation of the grave of a prince of the Hallstatt culture, the predominant Central European culture from the 8th to 6th centuries BC.
Modern Knives Made from Many Different Materials
Modern knives may be made from many different materials such as alloy tool steels, carbon fiber, ceramics, and titanium.
Convenient Arrangements, including Sharpening by Mail!
Westside Sharpener will pick up and deliver your knives, scissors, shears, and other tools to be sharpened in the West L.A. and Santa Monica areas. You can also mail items to be sharpened to Westside Sharpener and your items will be properly sharpened and promptly returned to you by mail.
Westside Sharpener
Pick-up and Delivery Available in
Santa Monica, West Los Angeles,
Westwood, Culver City, and Venice
Laurence Segal
Telephone:
310- 266-5416
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday)
Email: rhinoknives@msn.com
Website: rhinoknives.com