History Main / SharpenedToASingleAtom

A common term used for this is "monomolecular". Most often seen with [[ILikeSwords knives or swords]], but occurs from time to time with RazorWire, too. This can be particularly troublesome, as monomolecular wire is usually functionally invisible, and walking into one can slice through vital bits [[DiagonalCut without being immediately noticed]].

[[caption-width-right:350:[[ArtisticLicensePhysics That someone failed physics?]]]]

* A manual for ''VideoGame/StarCraft'' states that Ultralisk blades are monomolecular, but this seems to be a case of a writer simply getting carried away with RuleOfCool, as there is no indication elsewhere that this is the case. Ultralisks are one of the largest units in the game already, and in game cinematic show their "real" size as far larger, leaving their individual blades are similarly sized to Terran vehicles. As a result most depictions show them either trampling enemies or smashing them aside, using their arms more like bludgeons than blades.

* Of the two times a ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' localisation has [[TooLongDidntDub ever bothered translating]] the "Zantetsuken" move, one of them, ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'', calls to mind this trope: "Atom Edge".

** In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, both Death's scythe and sword have edges one molecule thick. Thinner, in fact -- they glow blue because of the energy released when they cut the air apart. At one point, he sharpened it so finely that it was able to cut several inches ahead of its physical edge, and could cut a person's ''sentence'' in half by swinging it.

* ''The Fountains Of Paradise'' by Creator/ArthurCClarke has something very similar to this, but, [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness Clarke being Clarke, it is depicted in a manner closer to scientific reality]] than most examples on this page. Construction of a SpaceElevator becomes a realistic possibility after the development of a process to manufacture a "pseudo-one-dimensional diamond crystal" a few microns thick in continuous lengths, forming invisible fibres of enormous tensile strength. Its main application is as a tension member (of course), not as a weapon, though much attention is given to the handling difficulties and dangers of such a material. Its sharpness is also reasonably realistic--it is extremely sharp, but not [[AbsurdlySharpBlade absurdly so]]--it can easily cause severe wounds through mere inattention to handling, but to deliberately cut down a tree with it takes a couple of minutes, and the length of time it takes to cut through a metal fastening with it is an important element at one point in the story.

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperheroes'': The Persuader, a member of the Fatal Five, has an axe that he claims is so sharp it can shatter electrons. In some stories, it is sharp enough ''to cut through the force of gravity''. ([[BellisariosMaxim Try not to think about that too hard.]])

[[folder:Film]]

* R. Talsorian Games' ''TabletopGame/{{Cyberpunk}} 2020'' had the Monoknife and MonoKatana, both extremely sharp.

** [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-183 SCP-183 ("Weaver").]] SCP-183 is a biological entity that creates monofilament wires that can cut through anything up to and including body armor. It uses the wires to kill animals so it can consume them.
** [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-314 SCP-314 ("Motion-Seeking Blade")]] The blade is described as "sharpened to a molecular level".

** [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-608 SCP-608 ("Fractal Tinsel").]] SCP-608 is a fractal with infinitely and progressively smaller branches radiating from it. Branches of monofilament size and smaller can slice through other substances at a molecular or even atomic level.
** [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-1320 SCP-1320 ("Refractive Explorers").]] SCP-1320 have extremities that are sharpened to a thickness of a few dozen nanometers. They can use them to cut through solid objects at a molecular level.

** In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, both Death's scythe and sword have edges one molecule thick. Thinner, in fact -- they glow blue because of the energy released when they cut the air apart. At one point, he sharpened it so finely that it was able to cut several inches ahead of its physical edge, and could cut a person's *sentence* in half by swinging it.

* ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperheroes'': The Persuader, a member of the Fatal Five, has an axe that he claims is so sharp he claims it can shatter electrons. In some stories, it is sharp enough ''to cut through the force of gravity''. ([[BellisariosMaxim Try not to think about that too hard.]])

* The trope picture is of the Persuader, a member of the Fatal Five, enemies of the ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperheroes'', whose axe is exactly so. In some stories, it is sharp enough ''to cut through the force of gravity''. ([[BellisariosMaxim Try not to think about that too hard.]])

* Alton Brown once wrote a short story on his blog about a kitchen apprentice who sharpened a chef's knife until it became one of these...and accidentally set off a nuclear blast while chopping a tomato.
* The long-defunct parody shopping website [[https://web.archive.org/web/20030122084059/http://villainsupply.com/ Villain Supply]] offered this type of wire for sale as a henchman tool.

* Mamoru's katana from ''Manga/UntilDeathDoUsPart'' is a high tech monomolecular blade, able to break the bonds between molecules and cut anything (if the katana's angled properly). At one point he cuts a gun in half; when the pieces are pushed back together, it appears as if the gun was undamaged, because the cut is that sharp.

* In ''Anime/HellsingUltimate'', Walter C. Dornez, the Hellsing family's personal butler, uses a set of monomolecular razor wires to devestating effect in combat, where they are shown capable of effortlessly dismembering and slicing apart armies of humans and ghouls alike. It can cut through steel and concrete, and at one point they are even used to bring down several Black Hawk helicopters. Walter controls them as extensions of his own body, and they seem to be of infinite length and durability, as they never break in the series.

* In ''ComicBook/KingdomCome'' Franchise/WonderWoman has a magic sword that is sharp enough to "carve the electrons off an atom". Leaving aside the ways that doesn't actually make sense, it suggests a blade with an edge thinner than an atom. Franchise/{{Superman}} accidentally cuts himself on the blade.

* The trope picture is of the Persuader, a member of the Fatal Five, enemies of the ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperheroes'', whose axe is exactly so.

* In ''Fanfic/TheLastSon'', Superman finds a sword that belonged to one of his ancestors named Von-El. This sword is not only sharp enough to wound Kryptonians powered by a yellow sun, but also has a monomolecular lash concealed in the hilt, which can be used as a long-ranged weapon (he needs a special gauntled to grab it without cutting himself).

* The Posleen in John Ringo's ''Literature/LegacyOfTheAldenata'' have monomolecular blades that can carve up an Armored Combat Suit as easy as a Ginzu knife cuts through a tin can. And then they can slice a tomato so thin you can read a newspaper through it!

* In ''Literature/SnowCrash'', by Neal Stephenson, Dmitri "Raven" Ravinoff uses knives made of knapped glass with monomolecular edges. They slash through Kevlar body armor, thick bamboo and people quite effortlessly, though they're [[spoiler:still prone to shattering, which is unfortunate as his final opponent just happens to be carrying a sonic weapon]].
* The main character, as well as just about everyone, in Sergey Lukyanenko's ''Literature/ALordFromPlanetEarth'' series wields a monoatomic sword called a planar sword. The main character, in fact, [[DualWielding dual-wields]] them and carries them on his back. As expected, the swords can cut through any known material. In one-on-one combat with planar swords, one of the swords will invariably slice through the other. The trick is making sure you hit the opponent's sword at just the right angle with a thinner blade. The blade dulls with each strike and swing, requiring it to be periodically sharpened by a button on the hilt (a blade can only handle about 1500 sharpenings). Being a battle-hardened Earthling, the main character comes up with some nonstandard (and questionable) applications for the technology. He creates a throwing disc with monoatomic edges, which can literally take a person's head off. Later, he uses smaller hollow-point monoatomic discs that fire from a blowgun.
* Flann O'Brien's ''Literature/TheThirdPoliceman'' features a spear so sharp that if you were to prick yourself with it, your finger would begin to bleed about 2 inches before the point appeared to reach your finger. In fact, when your finger starts to bleed, the spear point had penetrated your skin 2 inches ago, but was so thin it slipped between the atoms of your finger without causing any damage.
* In ''Man of the Ice Garden'', Vuko Drakkainen, a visitor from future Earth to a primitive planet, uses a Nordland Aeronautics shinobi ken sword with monomolecular blade. He once made a swing at a "monster" and accidentally cut through the ceiling without even noticing until some of its parts fell down. He also accidentally cut through the dog, which hit the ground [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe twice]].
* In the Literature/StarTrekNovelVerse, the Tholians have blades with monomolecular edges. The swords become important to the plot in the novels [[Literature/StarTrekTheLostEra ''The Sundered'']] and [[Literature/StarTrekVanguard ''Reap the Whirlwind'']].

* Creator/TerryPratchett:
** ''Literature/TheDarkSideOfTheSun'' features a monomolecular blade (which shatters when swung against a villain gifted with luck manipulation).
** In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, both Death's scythe and sword have edges one molecule thick. Thinner, in fact -- they glow blue because of the energy released when they cut the air apart. At one point, he sharpened it so finely that it was able to cut several inches ahead of its physical edge, and could cut a person's *sentence* in half by swinging it.
* ''Franchise/StarWars'' [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Expanded Universe:]]
** In the short story "[[HoYay/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Side Trip]]", Jodo Kast, who is actually Thrawn in disguise, gives one to [[spoiler:Corran Horn]].
** Blades like this make an appearance in the novel ''Specter of the Past'' by Creator/TimothyZahn, 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 ''Literature/{{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.
* Matthew Mantrell wields one in at least the first book of ''Literature/AWizardInRhyme''. It's also made of a single black diamond. [[AWizardDidIt And magic.]]
* In ''Literature/TheCityWhoFought'' by Creator/AnneMcCaffrey and Creator/SMStirling, Joat lays a trap using monomolecular wire. The effects are messy.
* In ''Literature/LeftBehind'', Chaim Rozenweig creates a blade like this, so sharp that a falling date splits in two by grazing the blade. He then buries the blade in the head of the leader of the world.

* The ''Literature/{{Deathstalker}}'' handwaves the existence of such blades by explaining that the edge is actually created and maintained by a special force field. Since they can be deactivated, it makes the blades much safer to handle, store, and hide as an assassin's tool.

* Brazilian novel ''Espada da Galáxia'' does it with an extra twist. Not just is the blade that names the book sharpened to a single atom, it's also made of "metallic Hydrogen", making its edge as thin as the smallest atom.
* In the ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'' trilogy the Subtle Knife has one edge sharpened so finely that it can cut through any material, the other edge is sharp enough to cut a hole in the universe leading to another one.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''
** Monomolecular blades are a fairly common throughout the setting. This includes combat knives, swords, chainsword, some types of ammunition, etc. Counterintuitively it's also stated that one of the reasons for favoring such blades is that they never dull, which makes sense [[HandWave if you don't think about it]]. These blades are so treasured by the Imperium that a pair of PDF scouts who found a Standard Template Construct printout detailing how to manufacture cheaper and stronger mono-molecular blades were rewarded with a '''planet, each'''.
*** Despite fluff books often making it clear how good these are at punching through armour, it's frequently not actually a mechanic in game. One exception is the ''TabletopGame/DarkHeresy'' (and other Fantasy Flight Games' 40k [=RPGs=]), where melee weapons can be upgraded to have monomolecular edges, increasing their armour penetration. In most of the games this can only be done on bladed and [[ChainsawGood chain]] weapons, but early editions of ''Dark Heresy'' didn't have this limitation, allowing any melee weapon to be monomolecular, including hammers and staves. However, the rules stated that an alternative explanation had to be given for the increased penetrative power; there were no monomolecular hammers or staves, they just functioned the same with a different name given to the technology behind it.
** The various kinds of [[OurElvesAreDifferent Eldar]] are probably the most common users of monomolecular weapons, given that they are generally the most technologically advanced:
*** The most common are "shuriken" weapons. The weapon's magazine is actually a large mostly-cylindrical chuck of matter, and the upper receiver shaves off monomolecular discs. Thousands of them. [[FlechetteStorm Per second]].
*** Harlequin units have a weapon called The Harlequin's Kiss, which is a hundred-metre-long monomolecular wire, delivered in a neat bundled package with a punch, at which point it unfurls, liquifies the target's internal organs, and then snaps back into the delivery device.
*** Heavier Eldar "spinner" weaponry makes use of "webs" of monofilament cord. They have artillery that sends clouds of this stuff slowly drifting down over the battlefield, invisible until the moment your entire squad falls apart into little chunks.

---> "Don't believe the hype, kiddies! That's not a ''real'' monomolecular filament. After all, my bootlace is monofilament too, and I'm not going to be lopping any limbs off with that."
* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}} Ultratech'' has a number of (increasingly super-science) ways of working this into the game mechanics. Superfine blades divide damage resistance by two. Monowire blades divide damage resistance by ten. Nanothorn blades divide damage resistance by ten and ''shreds'' the bonds that hold the atoms in molecules together.
* ''TabletopGame/EclipsePhase''
** Monofilament Swords are a common bladed weapon made with self-sharpening smart materials. They easily have some of the highest penetration and damage of any melee weapon in the game. [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight They're still no match for all but the lightest of firearms]] when it comes to stopping power, though.
** The 'exotic' [[RazorFloss Monowire Garrote]] has the most armour penetration of any melee weapon and inflicts decent damage, although the description notes the wire has fairly low tensile strength and can often break easily.
* ''{{TabletopGame/Infinity}}'' has monofilament as an ammunition type that is issued almost exclusively to the elite troops of every army. They're not exactly common, but have a nasty effect: anything they hit, if it fails an armor roll, is [[OneHitKill instantly destroyed and removed from the table]], regardless of its remaining [[HitPoints wounds or structure]]. This includes [[MiniMecha TAGs]], named characters, any {{One Man Army}} that might be around. It's {{hand wave}}d in the background as being stabilized through an EM field.
* ''TabletopGame/DarkConspiracy'' supplement ''[=DarkTek=]'': The Monofilament Machete's blade is 3-4 molecules wide and 1 meter long, with a small red ball on the end so the user can gauge their swing. It can cut through almost any solid substance, including armor.
* R. Talsorian Games' ''TabletopGame/{{Cyberpunk}} 2020'' had the Monoknife and MonoKatana, both extremely sharp.

* Judges Guild magazine ''The Dungeoneer Journal'' #23, article "Magic Item Generator". One of the possible magic items is a Monomolecular Wire that's a single molecule thick. It can cut through any substance but must be [[RazorFloss anchored at each end to be used as a weapon (e.g. as a garotte)]].
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' had psionic powers such as "duo-dimensional blade", which could cut through anything (ignored armor). In the 3rd Edition the power came back as "Deep Impact" (and "Unavoidable Strike" for the unarmed version). A ''few'' powers in 4e allowed you to strike against Reflex rather than AC (effectively ignoring armor) and would logically be devastating against anyone relying on heavy armor for protection.

* A manual for ''VideoGame/StarCraft'' states that Ultralisk blades are monomolecular, but this seems to be a case of a writer simply getting carried away with RuleOfCool, as there is no indication elsewhere that this is the case. Ultralisks are one of the largest units in the game already, and in game cinematic show their "real" size as far larger, leaving their individual blades are similarly sized to Terran vehicles. As a result most depictions show them either trampling enemies or smashing them aside, using their arms more like bludgeons than blades.

* In ''VideoGame/OneMustFall2097,'' the manual describes Thorn's spikes and Katana's blades as using "monofilament technology".
* Cerberus Phantoms (ninja mooks) in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' carry monomolecular swords that allow them to do a OneHitKill. The player-useable "omni-blades" are equally sharp. These blades increase their practically in two ways: one, the blades are "flash-forged" by high-precision portable fabricators, so they can be renewed as needed; two, they're supported by Mass Effect fields which can also make them {{Hot Blade}}s.

* The Avalon [=WarMech=] in ''VideoGame/{{Implosion}}'' wields a sword with a mono molecular edge.
* The retractable blades on the Scorpions in ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004'' are mentioned to have an edge that is exactly one atom thick. However, while they will instantly cut any on-foot opponent they touch in half, they break off if they touch anything else.

* The Nanotech Blade in VideoGame/EchoesOperationStranglehold is only a few atoms thick at its edge.

** In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, both Death's scythe and sword have edges one molecule thick. Thinner, in fact -- they glow blue because of the energy released when they cut the air apart. At one point, he sharpened it so finely that it was able to cut several inches ahead of its physical edge.

** Most combat blades have an edge one molecule thick. This includes combat knives, swords, some types of ammunition, etc. Such blades are quite commonplace in their armies. They're no more effective at punching through armour for it, however, unless you're playing ''TabletopGame/DarkHeresy''. In it (and other Fantasy Flight Games' 40k [=RPGs=]), melee weapons can be upgraded to have monomolecular edges, increasing their armour penetration. In most of the games this can only be done on bladed and [[ChainsawGood chain]] weapons, but early editions of ''Dark Heresy'' didn't have this limitation, allowing you to create monomolecular hammers and staves. However, the rules stated that an alternative explanation had to be given for the increased penetrative power; there were no monomolecular hammers or staves, they just functioned the same with a different name given to the technology behind it. These blades are so treasured by the Imperium that a pair of PDF scouts who found a Standard Template Construct printout detailing how to manufacture cheaper and stronger mono-molecular blades were rewarded with a '''planet, each'''.
** The [[OurElvesAreDifferent Eldar]] use a variety of monomolecular weapons:

* A manual for ''VideoGame/StarCraft'' states that Ultralisk blades are monomolecular. This seems to be a case of a writer simply getting carried away with RuleOfCool, as there is no indication elsewhere that this is actually the case. For one the blades are absolutely massive, and look more designed for smashing than slicing, and having monomolecular blades implies a degree of finesse the ultralisk certainly lacks. Apparently other writers agree, as depictions of ultralisks mostly show them smashing enemies aside with their blades, rather than slicing right through them as would be the case if their blades really were that sharp.

A common term used for this is "monomolecular". Most often seen with [[ILikeSwords knives or swords]], but occurs from time to time with RazorWire, too. This can be particularly troublesome, as monomolecular wire is usually functionally invisible, and walking into one can slice through vital bits [[YouAreAlreadyDead without being immediately noticed]].

* Cerberus Phantoms (ninja mooks) in ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' carry monomolecular swords, and the player-useable "omni-blades" are equally sharp. These blades increase their practically in two ways: one, the blades are "flash-forged" by high-precision portable fabricators, so they can be renewed as needed; two, they're supported by Mass Effect fields which can also make them {{Hot Blade}}s.

* In the first novel ''Literature/TheStainlessSteelRat'' sees an assassin sneaking into Angelina's room after reeling himself down to it on a monofilament wire fixed to the balcony above. The Rat can't climb down the wire after him as it would slice his fingers off, so he has to jump off the balcony and hope he lands correctly.

* In the first novel Literature/TheStainlessSteelRat sees an assassin sneaking into Angelina's room by reeling himself down on a monofilament wire fixed to the balcony above. The Rat can't climb down the wire after him as it would slice his fingers off, so he has to jump off the balcony and hope he lands correctly.

* In the first novel Literature/TheStainlessSteelRat sees an assassin sneaking into Angelina's room by lowering himself down on a monomolecular wire fixed to the balcony above. The Rat can't climb down the wire after him as it would slice his fingers off, so he has to jump off the balcony and hope he lands correctly.

** In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' series, both Death's scythe and sword have edges one molecule thick. Thinner, in fact -- they glow blue because of the energy released when they cut the air apart.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[ArtisticLicencePhysics That someone failed physics?]]

* In the Franchise/StarTrekNovelVerse, the Tholians have blades with monomolecular edges. The swords become important to the plot in the novels [[Literature/StarTrekTheLostEra ''The Sundered'']] and [[Literature/StarTrekVanguard ''Reap the Whirlwind'']].