Overview
The blade is the single most influential factor in section quality. A sharp, correctly chosen blade produces clean sections; a dull blade causes chatter, drag and compression.
Blade Types
- Disposable blades: convenient and consistently sharp; ideal for routine work.
- Reusable steel blades: economical but require honing and care.
- High-precision blades: for delicate or heavily fixed tissue.
Matching Blade to Tissue
Softer tissue needs a sharp, low-angle cut; harder or heavily fixed tissue may need a sturdier blade. Match the blade to the tissue and the desired section quality.
Care and Handling
Never touch the cutting edge, clean gently between sections, and protect the blade when not in use. Change blades as soon as section quality degrades — do not force extra sections from a worn edge.
Signs of a Dull Blade
Chatter marks, wavy surfaces, torn edges and inconsistent thickness all point to blade wear. Replacing the blade early is far cheaper than redoing an experiment.