Is this site the only website where I can buy an obsidian scalpel?

Is this site the only website where i can buy an obsidian scalpel?

• http://www.finescience.com/commerce/ccc1065-obsidian-scalpels.htm If not please tell me of another. Also is this site safe to buy from?.

• Answer:

  I'm a fairly good web researcher, but I can't find any other sites that are selling them. It's clear that FSC dominates the market for microfine obsidian scalpels. I was interested to discover that their obsidian models, which cost about a hundred dollars, are the low-priced alternative to scalpels tipped with finely-cut diamond, which cost several hundred dollars apiece. I didn't see anyone complaining about FSC, and they don't appear to maintain a physical store or shop, so I expect their website is safe to buy from. The only alternative source for obsidian scalpels I saw mentioned was in a comment thread on a blog discussing anthropological replicative technology, which is a fancy way of saying "duplicating ancient tools so we can find out how they actually worked." In that case, they were swapping notes on making their own blades, so unless you need a lot of them and you're seriously committed to the project, buying one is probably your best bet. Here's the comment thread: http://qmackie.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/elfshot-experimental-and-replicative-archaeology/ Note: DO NOT mess around with obsidian or other knapping materials unless you're wearing the kind of goggles that contact your skin and completely cover your eyes. Tiny bits and chips always go flying. They're just as effective at cutting your eyes as they would be if they were mounted in a scalpel handle and being used by an eye surgeon, and they're moving a lot faster. I can also give you two imperfect alternatives. One is that if you can get along with a thicker edge on your microfine scalpels, look into instruments that clamp onto and break off edge segments from special high-carbon razor blades. Those and other fine-gauge instruments can be found in catalogues for people who work with electron microscopy. Here's one: http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/default.aspx The other alternative is that if the point of the exercise is to use obsidian, and you don't need a high-end precision tool, you can get a modern obsidian-bladed knife on eBay for less than thirty dollars. See if this link works for you: http://tinyurl.com/33vhrhn If it doesn't, the eBay area to search in is Collectibles > Cultures & Ethnicities > Native American: US > 1935-Now > Flint Knapping Art. Search on "obsidian knife," and set your search for "lowest price first." There are other online vendors that sell modern flint and obsidian knives and other tools, but I haven't done business with any of them.