Can wood can be as sharp as metal?

Researchers at the University of Maryland created a hardened wood knife they claim can cut as well as some metal knives and is 23 times harder than regular wood.

Usually, most common knives are made of steel, ceramics, or, in the case of disposable ones, plastic. Still, the idea of a wood knife is not new.

Image: Michelle Henderson / Unsplash

What is new is the method the researchers used to create this knife, which they claim can be as sharp as metal. However, they were careful not to compare it to professional chef knives.

The paper compared the strength of the wood knife to that of a dinner knife. It said it could be "nearly three times sharper than most commercial table knives."

The material, called "hardened wood," was created by transforming natural wood through a chemical and physical process.

The alterations allowed the material to maintain more of its structural integrity, which depends on the amount of cellulose each type of wood has.

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The scientists used a chemical bed, a hot and cold press, and oil treatment to guarantee the natural wood conserved more cellulose and, therefore, more structural integrity.

They also pointed out that, with the oil treatment, a hardened wood knife could perform as long if given the same maintenance as a steel knife.

The paper framed the researcher's hardened wood as a potential renewable alternative to plastic or metal used for disposable or everyday cutlery.

However, experts cited by The New York Times said that the material cannot be qualified as renewable or sustainable simply because it is made of wood.

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The sustainability of a product depends on its production process and disposal methods. Since hardened wood knives are not mass-produced, knowing if they are cleaner is challenging.

The newspaper also spoke with chefs about the new product. Most of them were at least a little skeptical about how sharp a wood knife could be.

The publication of a video of the researchers cutting a piece of steak contributed to the doubts. The person in the footage had to make several movements to cut the meat.

Image: Cell Press / X

Still, the wood knife experiment results were peer-reviewed and published in Matter, a journal belonging to the Cell group of biology and life sciences magazines.

As a part of the study, the researchers performed strength tests against plastic and metal table knives, showing that their hardened wood instrument needed less force.

Image: Yusuf Onuk / Unsplash

The paper also mentioned tests of nails made from the same material. It claimed that these creations also performed as well as the metal ones.