Re: Dromaeosaur "swivel" claws

[Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au>]

Jeffrey Martz wrote:
> 
> 
>      Exactly.  Curved knives and swords have the cutting edge on the
> convex side, presumably because it makes it easier to DRAW the edge along
> what is being cut, which makes it much easier to cut.

The khukri used by the Nepalese Ghurkas has the edge on the inside
curve.

>  With the cutting edge on the concave side, it
> would be more difficult to draw the edge along the wound, and the
> likelyhood of the TIP of the claw getting snagged would be greater.
> 
> LN Jeff
> 

I think the idea probably WAS to snag the tip, to make as messy a
wound as possible. Early arrow-head makers in Africa mounted them
backwards in the shaft, with a broad sharp edge facing outwards and
the more pointed end bound into the shaft. This way the arrow did
not stick into the prey cleanly but made a large messy wound that
helped the prey to bleed to death. I doubt that dromaeosaur
swivel claws had a razor sharp edge, a sharp tip with a narrow
blade-like cross-section was probably sufficient. If the claw
was too deadly it may risk disembowling itself if it tripped
awkwardly while running!
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        Dann Pigdon
        Melbourne, Australia
        http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/4459/

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