Will steel knives ever be replaced with hand held short distance lasers?

[Buck Knives I Like]

:confused: And if that day were to come.. what would be your response.

[The Deacon]

They may be an alternative at some point in the future. However, since obsidian blades are still considered better than steel for some delicate surgical applications, I doubt anything will ever completely replace steel for knife blades.

[Gunslinger]

We probably aren't too far from it.

This is my 125mW Viper laser pointer. You can see the smoke. You can buy up to 1.4W handheld Laser pointers. and Module Lasers that go much higher. With a focus lense you can make them more powerful and short range.

[BAL]

Has anyone heard the status of the Forum Laser.
I am psyched for this one as long as no one tries to
buy extra to sell.

[kbuzbee]

This is my 125mW Viper laser pointer. You can see the smoke. You can buy up to 1.4W handheld Laser pointers. and Module Lasers that go much higher. With a focus lense you can make them more powerful and short range.

The problem, in a knife application isn't just power, it's containment. You'd need some sort of field to both stop and shape the beam.

I think we're a ways off from that.

But in that vein, has anyone seen the blue light knives on Defiance? Very cool!

Ken

[Gunslinger]

They make focus lenses that cause the laser to come to a focus point where the beam is smallest, this is where the burning or cutting power is at the highest. then the beam spreads like a flashlight and is basically just light.

Now the focus lense doesn't focus the beam as dramatic as the pic. It focuses down to where you have a few inches of high burning laser before it spreads.

[Gunslinger]

The problem, in a knife application isn't just power, it's containment. You'd need some sort of field to both stop and shape the beam.

I think we're a ways off from that.

But in that vein, has anyone seen the blue light knives on Defiance? Very cool!

Ken

I should edit when I said "We aren't to far from it". I definitely think we have a while before lasers will replace knives, but I think we will see cutting lasers used in more portable fashion soon. I don't think it will ever be in a lightsaber form like everyone wants or thinks of when the word laser is used.

[Gunslinger]

Also, I love Defiance

[Lord vader]

I wonder if my light saber counts :eek: ?Just kidding. That could be a possibility in the distant future.

[The Deacon]

One potential limitation is that many items we cut with knives are either flammable to some degree, or easily damaged by heat.

[Gunslinger]

One potential limitation is that many items we cut with knives are either flammable to some degree, or easily damaged by heat.

Oh yeah, Good point. This makes laser paper cut test very difficult. :D

[Fred Sanford]

I don't think so. Reason being is this: We (the USA) decided we needed a pen that would write in space and Fisher came up with the Fisher Space Pen. The Soviets decided that they could use a pencil. LOL. Sometimes the most complicated product isn't the best. I'm happy with a sharp "scalpel like" knife. :)

[ronin6]

I think before we see any form of laser or plasma knife they will perfect lab grown quartz crystal that can vibrate at an ultra high frequency(vibroblade) or, monomolecular wire. Sci Fi much :p

[WMR]

It's sort of like asking if the microwave will replace the barbecue grill. After the laser becomes workable, we will still be cooking outside and sharpening our steel knives. Knives and cooking go back for too many years. It's what most men like to do.

[Raylas]

I don't think so, mostly because it seems like a REALLY bad idea to try and open an envelope with a laser ;P

[Sequimite]

Call me when they develop a laser that can spread peanut butter on the apple after cutting it.

[Blerv]

Probably not for consumer use. Same reason why scissors and folders don't really compete for marketshare...two cutting tools with totally different methods.

[Stuart Ackerman]

Knives do not need batteries...just skill...

[chuck_roxas45]

Oh yeah, Good point. This makes laser paper cut test very difficult. :D

So make burn proof paper. :D

[Buck Knives I Like]

I don't think so, mostly because it seems like a REALLY bad idea to try and open an envelope with a laser ;P

Lmao I forgot about this thread completely and this post made me laugh.