Sharpened to a Single Atom: Difference between revisions

+Thin Edge
(+Thin Edge)
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** Blades like this make an appearance in the novel ''Specter of the Past'' by Timothy Zahn, in the form of the Xana "molecular stiletto." Depicted somewhat realistically, in that it's described as being capable of cutting through almost anything, but is extremely delicate, with even the carefully executed cutting of a hard surface (such as a lock) being as likely as not to ruin the blade.
* In the ''[[Sten]]'' novels, Sten has a small knife in his forearm (within a surgical compartment) that can cut through virtually anything. It's five molecules wide at its tip.
* In [[Randall Garrett]]'s ''Thin Edge'', the "edge" is {{Spoiler|an absurdly strong wire a thousandth of an inch (25nm) thick}}, which can cut through just about any solid. Although that wasn't its primary purpose, the protagonist goes to some lengths to show what an effective weapon it is.
* Matthew Mantrell wields one in at least the first book of ''[[A Wizard in Rhyme]]''.
* In ''[[The Ship Who...|The City Who Fought]]'' by [[Anne McCaffrey]] and [[S.M. Stirling]], Joat lays a trap using monomolecular wire. The effects are messy.