History Main / HotBlade

* In ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}'', you can use a Modification Station to upgrade your trusty Survival Knife into a Thermoblade, which doubles its damage (not that you particularly want to get in a knife fight with a [[SeaMonster leviathan]]) and, perhaps more importantly, instantly cook and sterilize any edible fish you whack with it, instead of having to take it back to a fabricator for preparation. The downside is that the weapon is wholly ineffective against any lifeforms adapted to live in lava, such as the ones in the VeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon.

* In the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise, the next step down from [[LaserBlade beam sabers]] are heat weapons, the most iconic of which is the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Zaku II's]] heat hawk. Another well-known example is [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Gundam Sandrock's]] heat shotels, which become [[{{BFS}} ludicrously huge]] in ''[[TheMovie Endless Waltz]]''. Usually they cut with a plasma field just beam sabers, except projected over a surface instead of into the air, hence a scene in the original series where a heat hawk [[LikeCannotCutLike is able to briefly parry the Gundam's ]][[LaserBlade beam saber]]

* In the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise, the next step down from [[LaserBlade beam sabers]] are heat weapons, the most iconic of which is the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Zaku II's]] heat hawk. Another well-known example is [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Gundam Sandrock's]] heat shotels, which become [[{{BFS}} ludicrously huge]] in ''[[TheMovie Endless Waltz]]''. Usually they cut with a plasma field just beam sabers, except projected over a surface instead of into the air, hence a scene in the original series where a heat hawk is able to briefly parry the Gundam's [[LaserBlade beam saber]]

* In the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise, the next step down from EnergyWeapons like beam sabers is heat weapons, the most iconic of which is the [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Zaku II's]] heat hawk. Another well-known example is [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing Gundam Sandrock's]] heat shotels, which become [[{{BFS}} ludicrously huge]] in ''[[TheMovie Endless Waltz]]''.
** At one point in [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam the original series]], a heat hawk is able to briefly parry the Gundam's [[LaserBlade beam saber]], which is formed from superheated plasma. You think its [[FridgeBrilliance because a heat hawk blade would by necessity have a higher melting point than the Zaku's armor]] before you know that the AllThereInTheManual tells you the blade of the heat weapon is actually plasmarized and maintained its form (thus they are just lesser example of beam weapons with lower tech).

-->-- '''Trillian''', ''Film/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''

* In Comicbook/{{Supergirl}} story ''Comicbook/DemonSpawn'', the titular heroine faces up to Nightflame, a villain that can heat up her huge magic sword.
* In ''Comicbook/SupermanVsTheAmazingSpiderMan'', Comicbook/LexLuthor forges a sword imbued with superheated red sunlight that can hurt Franchise/{{Superman}}.

* ''FanFic/XCOMRWBYWithin'' has Blake carrying a knife with a low-power laser in the handle, which heats the blade and allows it to more effectively penetrate armor and hardened skin. [[note]] Blake is the only one stated to have one, since XCOM operatives, with the exception of [[HollywoodCyborg MEC]] [[RocketPoweredWeapon Troopers]], do not carry melee weapons. She specifically asked [[TheEngineer Dr.Shen]] if he could make something for her to use as a last resort.[[/note]]

* ''Film/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' has a throwaway gag about a knife that toasts bread while slicing it.

* Optimus Prime from the ''Film/{{Transformers}}'' movies uses some of these to cut Decepticon's heads clean off.

* In Clay and Susan Griffith's Vampire Empire series, it is TwentyMinutesInTheFuture and remnants of a steampunk British Empire barely escaped a vampire apocalypse. Among the weapons used by humans against the vampires is the Fahrenheit Blade. These are blade weapons, including khukris, that have a special sheathe which will coat the steel blade in volatile chemicals. This heats the blade to extremely high temperatures and are more devastating against the heat-sensitive vampires than regular swords.

* The Super Spicy Knife in the ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' series is red all over and whoever gets cut by one gets set on fire.

* The ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' version of the Gunblades is this principle applied to the Vibroweapon mechanism of the ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'' models. The aetheric cartridges the weapon uses are "fired" to flash-heat the blade and increase its cutting power. In fact, guns are an imitation of this technology that was converted to launch projectiles instead, and the name of these weapons were derived from the warriors who first wielded these weapons: the Gunnhildr's Blades.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' explains how Gunblades work: the aetheric cartridges the weapon uses is "fired" to flash-heat the blade to increase its cutting power. In fact, guns are an imitation of this technology that was converted to launch projectiles instead, and the name of these weapons were derived from the warriors who first wielded these weapons: the Gunnhildr's Blades.

* In ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'', after Will [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks uses his sword]] to jam the door of the smithy and cut off Jack's escape route, he grabs a replacement out of the forge. It looks impressively glowy but doesn't last very long; fortunately there are plenty more on the racks.
* ''Film/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' has a throwaway gag about a knife that toasts bread while slicing it.

* [[http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/219719/excorcism-16-year-old-tortured-with-hot-knives/&date=2011-07-29 Sufi tortures a 16-year-old boy with hot knives in order to "exorcise" him.]]

* When Wolverine is brought back to life in the beginning of the [[ComicBook/MarvelAFreshStart Marvel: A Fresh Start]] launch, he's given the NewSuperpower of superheating his claws, at the expense of diminishing his healing factor and tapping into his berserker side. At the end of ''ComicBook/TheReturnOfWolverine'', when Wolverine locks away his berserker side, it also disables the superheating claws.

* When Wolverine is brought back to life in the beginning of the [[ComicBook/MarvelAFreshStart Marvel: A Fresh Start]] launch, he's given the NewSuperpower of superheating his claws, at the expense of diminishing his healing factor and tapping into his berserker side. However, this hasn't been brought up much if at all outside of its introductory arc.

* In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOrigins'', one of the most powerful weapons Bayek can wield is his friend Hepzefa’s Sword, which is constantly aflame.

** Thoros of Myr is legendary in Westeros for running into battle with a flaming sword.

* In ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' Azor Ahai was a legendary hero who worked for one hundred days and nights to forge a sword before driving it through his wife's heart; combining her soul with the steel of the sword and creating Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes. The sword is described as always being warm to the touch.

** The [[AbsurdlySharpBlade Cosmic Knifes]] from the ''Dead Money'' expansion can be made into this after being warmed by a heating pad, since their Saturnite material somehow retains heat for a ridiculous amount of time. Such superheated blades have an x5% critical hit chance multiplier and set foes on fire, but unlike the Cosmic Knife (clean) variant you can make with Abraxo-brand cleaning agent, the superheated version is still covered with Cloud residue and thus has less [[BreakableWeapons durability]].

* In ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}'', you can use a Modification Station to upgrade your trusty Survival Knife into a Thermoblade, which doubles its damage (allowing you to kill the weakest [[SeaMonster leviathan]] in the game in a mere 125 slashes!) and, perhaps more importantly, instantly cook and sterilize any edible fish you whack with it, instead of having to take it back to a fabricator for preparation. The downside is that the weapon is wholly ineffective against any lifeforms adapted to live in lava.

* The Cosmic Knifes from the Dead Money expansion of ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' can be made into this. It's an indestructible AbsurdlySharpBlade that has been heated with a heating pad and apparently retains its heat for a ridiculous amount of time, giving it even more destroying power while still allowing the handle to be cool to the touch. It has an x5% critical hit chance multiplier and set foes on fire. However it still is covered with Cloud residue, leaving it more brittle than cleaning it with Abraxo-brand cleaning agent.
** There is also the Saturnite Fist in ''Old World Blues'' dlc. Just give it to the crazy toaster in Big MT and it will become the Saturnite Fist Superheated which glows red hot and sets enemies on fire. A wonder how you [[ConvectionSchmonvection don't burn your own hand]] while wearing it.
* One of the bosses from ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' uses a {{Steampunk}} version (a NighInvulnerable, HumongousMecha), but this is technically a fantasy setting.

* VideoGame/{{Strider}} Hiryu's Cypher uses plasma to achieve this effect.
* Nero's Red Queen from ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' has a special mechanism inside it; the sword has a gasoline fuel inside, and the sword can be revved; when doing so, it sprays out the fuel to the blade as well as igniting it, making the blade glow hot red.

* The Thermic Lances in ''VideoGame/XComTerrorFromTheDeep'' are a combination of Hot Blade and {{Vibroweapon}}, and are pretty effective against the [[DemonicSpiders Demonic Crabs]]. [[note]]Ok, they are actually lobsters.[[/note]]
** The final upgraded blades for the Rangers in ''VideoGame/XCOM2'' are hot enough to set enemies alight sometimes.

* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'', LQ-84-series [=UGs=] can throw superheated knives that are able to penetrate (and partially melt) stone and metal. Perhaps notably, Sam's sword also has a distinct red blade but ''isn't'' a HotBlade; just an exceptional VibroWeapon. Sundowner's weapon also seems to count, as visible heat and steam can be seen as he slowly slices across the President's neck in the intro
* A variation from ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'': an [[AutomaticCrossbows electromechanical crossbow]] that launches red-hot ''rebar rods''.

* In ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsCompact2'', the Alt Eisen carries a "Heat Horn" mounted on its head and functions like the Heat Hawk of the Zaku II. When it's [[MidSeasonUpgrade rebuilt and upgraded]] into the Alt Eisen Riese, the weapon is turned into the "Plasma Horn", with an additional feature of ShockAndAwe.
* [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear Sol Badguy's]] Fireseal (and its upgrade, Junkyard Dog) allows him to channel his flame powers better. It also allows him to cut with it, despite the blade part being a blunt rectangle.
* [[VideoGame/RocketKnightAdventures Sparkster the Rocket Knight]] sheathes his sword ''in'' his jetpack, and several of his stronger attacks have his sword glowing with a blue, orange, or red flare indicating that he traps the heat in his sword. One of the powerups he can find in ''RKA 2'' upgrades him outright to a FlamingSword.
* In ''VideoGame/YandereSimulator'', Yandere-chan has the option to heat up a knife blade with blowtorches. As of right now the effect is more cosmetic than of practical use...unless you want to turn it into a FlamingSword instead.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}'', you can upgrade your Survival Knife to a Thermoblade, which doubles its damage and instantly cooks fish.
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' blurs the line somewhat between this and FlamingSword. The Flameblade (along with the Great Flameblade and Flamespear) glows red when carried and puts out enough heat to keep Link warm and even melt ice. But when used to attack, it emits a burst of fire that can ignite anything flammable in its path. Most players use it as a [[MundaneUtility convenient way to start campfires]].
* In the VR game ''Blade and Sorcery'', you can apply fire magic to a sword you are holding to turn it into a glowing blade that can slash and stab through even knightly plate, for instant ArmorIsUseless.

[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_wtwep83.png]]]]

Usually used with [[SwordTropes swords]], but other bladed weapons are also seen occasionally. A subtrope of AbsurdCuttingPower. Unrelated to the idiom "like a hot knife through butter"... though hot blades may, indeed, cut through things in such a manner.

* Downplayed with tools used to cut synthetic rope, which uses heat but doesnt glow. A blade is electrically heated hot enough that it can be used to cut through a rope while melting the cut to seal it and prevent the rope from unbraiding.
* ''Extremely'' downplayed, but technically the spirit of the trope is invoked on ice cream cakes, running a kitchen knife under hot tap water and wiping beforehand makes cutting through the frozen cake much easier.

* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' blurs the line somewhat between this and FlamingSword. The Flameblade (along with the Great Flameblade and Flamespear) glows red when carried and puts out enough heat to keep Link warm and even melt ice. But when used to attack, it emits a burst of fire that can ignite anything flammable in its path. Most players use it as a [[MundaneUtility conveneint way to start campfires]].