Blade - History and Uses

History and Uses

Stone blades were among the first human inventions, dating to the Oldowan culture in human prehistory - see stone tool - and fundamentally changed human existence by aiding the transition from a prey species on Earth to a predator species, as well as giving humanity a cutting tool that could be used to shape other tools.

Since then, blades have been used for utility purposes (food preparation, craftwork, outdoors sport, etc.) and for combat for millions of years.

When used for food preparation, the main uses are slicing (cutting by drawing the blade across the object, applying light pressure) and chopping (cutting by pushing the blade through object), with some piercing (using the tip to cut through the surface).

In combat, a blade may be used to slash (i.e. to cut with the edge, generally in a swinging motion), puncture or stab (the blade is plunged into the opponent, starting with the tip and proceeding as the blade enters more deeply), thrown (i.e. by throwing the knife so the point enters the target) or propelled (i.e. a ballistic knife).

Blades may be used to scrape, moving the blade sideways across a surface, as in an ink eraser, rather than along or through a surface.