Diamonds vs Wood: Proving the Unprovable

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Diamonds can technically cut wood, but using a diamond axe head is impractical due to the material's brittleness, which would cause it to shatter upon impact. While diamond blades are effective for hard materials and work through abrasion, they are not suited for wood cutting, where metal blades excel. Economically, metal blades are more efficient, offering better material removal and a superior cut. Additionally, diamond blades are significantly more expensive and may require higher maintenance. Overall, a diamond axe is not a viable option compared to traditional steel blades.
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I think my friend is messing with me. He says it is common knowledge that diamonds do not cut wood. I know that if I had the money and I made an ax with a diamond head and made it razor sharp and made an ax from carbon steel with an equally sharp blade, the diamond one would cut better and never get dull. I would die 1000 times before having to resharpen it. I've never been more certain of anything that I can't readily prove. But I can't do anything to convince him of this. Help me exorcise this demon from his soul.
 
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Hell, I sent that already. That's not explicit and concise enough.
 
A diamond blade can " cut" wood. The practical use of this blade in this application is not good. Diamond blades cost much more than metal blades for this application. Additionally, the waste material removal with metal blades is much better and the resultant "cut" is a much better cut with minimal lost of material. From strictly an economic point of view, the metal blade is the way to go. I suspect diamond blade maintenance is higher as well. Example- you can " cut" aluminum with a bench grinder but I don't recommend it.
 
I think the OP has a very different idea of a blade than is being described by everyone else.

It's not that a diamond can't cut wood, beucase of course it can. However a diamond axe blade just wouldn't work at all, diamond is brittle, brittle things do not like impacts. If you hit a tree trunk with an axe head made of diamond it would shatter. A plastic axe head (made from an engineering plastic) would likely be more effective than a diamond one. Both would still be inferior to steel.

Diamond cutting tools ususally work by abrasion, not a cutting action. So saws, grinders, holecutters etc. They are also used only for cutting things that are hard or abrasive. So you wouldn't even typically use a diamond tool for wood.


Sorry to pee on your bonfire.
 
Last edited:
xxChrisxx said:
Sorry to pee on your bonfire.


HAHAHA!:smile:

Thats so much better than "Sorry to rain on your parade".
 
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