Primitive Clam Shell Knife

Today I crafted a primitive clam shell knife. This stone age blade design came from Native American maritime cultures in South Eastern Alaska. A medium sized clam shell is first ground on a flat piece of slate until a bevel begins to take shape. Then the bevel is sharped, the inner side is sharpened like a scandinavian grind knife. The outer side of the shell is sharpened like a convex blade. This sharpening process takes a while. After the primitive blade is sharpened, it is then stropped on human skin. The oils in the skin basically polishes the edge filling in microscopic burrs and pits, making the edge much sharper. This blade design is really impressive, it cuts through food, leather, para cord like a hot knife through butter. Surprisingly, it was even effective at carving soft wood. I think this stone-age blade design would be an invaluable tool in a survival situation.