I always suspected that cutting a silk scarf had little to do with the quality of the steel and was a mere stunt of swordsmanship, one that could be done with almost any decent sabre-sword that was kept unusually sharp.
Well, J.M.Waite, an English professor of fencing, late 2nd Life Guards, and author of Sabre, Singlestick, and Sword Feats, in the late 19th century wrote:
Fold a veil neatly lengthwise and lay it on the edge of the sword, almost close to the hilt.
Place your feet together, with your sword hand resting on the bend of the left arm, the edge of your sword turned up. Take two quick steps to your front , beginning with your left foot and as you make the second, deliver an upward cut with a good edge, throwing the point of the sword high in the air, so that when the veil separates the two parts will have some distance to fall. A good effect will thus be produced.
At the finish of this cut......the arms should be brought straight.......
For this feat.... you require a special sword called a handkerchief cutter. It should have the edge of and be kept as sharp as a razor.
The edge should be ground and set towards the hand, and when sharpening or stropping it, you should rub from point to hilt.
If you look through a very powerful magnifying glass you will find the edge of a sword is serrated like a saw, but not so regularly; Therefor by having the teeth pointed towards the hilt, the edge more readily lays hold of the veil.
Haven't tried it, but someone here should
Cheers
Chris