Properly sharp knives are indifferent to that which they cut. Be that your steak, or you, their job is to cut.
A properly shaperned knife is a wicked, angry, thing. It must be treated with respect, deffarence, and no small part of care. However, they must not be feared; like a wild predator they can sense fear.
Suffice it to say OP was just using some artistic license to show that they got a new old knife and nicked themselves.
They also fail to mention that the cost of materials today is wildly lower making larger homes easier to achieve. Not to also mention advances in building techniques.