[Histonet] Microtome knives

[Connolly, Brett M]

Hi Jon,

Depends on your cash flow. You could get a used sharpener somewhere off the web somewhere such as http://www.labx.com/v2/adsearch/resultsnew.cfm?sw=sharpener&mr=25&te=cat , or http://www.medwow.com/used-microtome-knife-sharpener-equipment/63.med but sharpening knives is a pain IMO and steel knives present more of a safety hazard. I would recommend a sharpener that uses the glass honing plates. You would also need the coarse and fine abrasives.

Personally, I would opt for a low profile disposable blade holder that fits your 820. Low and high profile refer to the size (height) of the blade. We use low profile for paraffin block sectioning and high profile for cryostat sectioning.

Brett

Brett M. Connolly, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist, Imaging Dept.
Merck & Co., Inc.
PO Box 4, WP-44K
West Point, PA 19486
brett_connolly <@t> merck.com
T- 215-652-2501
F- 215-993-6803

 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jon Krupp
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 1:50 PM
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [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
jkrupp <@t> deltacollege.edu

Find us on Facebook @
Electron Microscopy at SJ Delta College







_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Notice:  This e-mail message, together with any attachments, contains
information of Merck & Co., Inc. (One Merck Drive, Whitehouse Station,
New Jersey, USA 08889), and/or its affiliates Direct contact information
for affiliates is available at 
http://www.merck.com/contact/contacts.html) that may be confidential,
proprietary copyrighted and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely
for the use of the individual or entity named on this message. If you are
not the intended recipient, and have received this message in error,
please notify us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete it from 
your system.