I prefer to sharpen my microtome knives by myself by hand. I have a vintage Cambridge Rocking Microtome and despite its age it works very well. Sharpening is a time consuming for the first time, it's depends on the conditions of the blade edge. Once you have a nice cutting profile its maintenance it's quite easy and it takes a few minutes by stroking the knife on a flat glass with oil and a bit of aluminium oxide powder (3 -1 micron grits). For me sharpening and honing of a microtome knife has became a secondary "hobby". A solid knife has the advantage, compared to a disposable blade, to be liable to less vibrations.
Kind Regards, Massimo Tosi "A humble Chemical Engineer who loves Histology" ________________________________ Da: Jon Krupp <jkr...@deltacollege.edu> A: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Inviato: Venerdì 9 Novembre 2012 19:49 Oggetto: [Histonet] Microtome knives Greetings I need some advice regarding microtome knives. I am not histo tech, I did all my sectioning in a plant research lab, but now I find myself needing to learn more about histo type methods. We have microtomes, AO 820's, and we have a bunch of donated knives. I need advice about whether it would be better to find a knife sharpener and use the microtome knives we have, or check into getting a disposable knife holder. When I was sectioning, we just used a simple razor blade holder. Now I see references to high profile and low profile blades and holders, and I don't know the difference. Anyone willing to help me out? Thanks Jon Jonathan Krupp Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave. Box 212 Stockton, CA 95207 209-954-5284 jkr...@deltacollege.edu Find us on Facebook @ Electron Microscopy at SJ Delta College _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
