Abstract: The invention comprises a method of forming cutting blades from solid vitreous material by first placing a mass of molten material into a mold having at least one indentation to cause a ridge to form adjacent to a first surface in the material, cooling the molten material at a rate to preclude internal stresses or other inhomogeneity in the solid material, forming a second substantially flat surface intersecting the ridge area and finally directing fracturing pressure in a controlled direction of force into the material at the second surface in the vicinity of the said ridge in a direction substantially parallel to the first surface whereby a cutting implement is sheared off of the said material.