Why Medieval Axes Stay Sharp for Decades While Modern Axes Dull Fast скачать в хорошем качестве

Why Medieval Axes Stay Sharp for Decades While Modern Axes Dull Fast

Medieval axes stayed sharp for decades because smiths used seven integrated techniques modern manufacturing abandoned for speed. They forge-welded high-carbon edges to flexible bodies, creating composite structures that absorbed shock. They used differential hardening to create hardness gradients, preserved work-hardened surfaces from forging, and applied multi-stage heat treatment reaching 56-59 HRC instead of today's soft 50-53 HRC. They selected variable-carbon bloomery steel zones for specific functions, maintained progressive edge angles for different woods, and protected steel with natural oils instead of moisture-trapping paint. Modern axes dull quickly not because users lack skill, but because mass production prioritizes casting speed and liability protection over performance—using uniform steel, automated tempering, and stamped geometry that removes the structural advantages medieval smiths engineered into every axe.