In our laboratory, as in many Australian laboratories, we use Feather
Disposable Trimming Knives (Cat #130 in a blade holder Cat# FS130S).  These
are very sharp and easy to use.  Specimen dissection is performed using
these blades for ALL specimens.  They prove to be very beneficial as they
allow those performing specimen dissection to cut reasonably thin slices
(although sometimes to large in other dimensions) from all the specimens we
receive.  Even when performing Frozen Sections on fresh lymph nodes (our
normal triage procedure) we find the registrar is able to cut reasonably
thin blocks of tissue, which then freeze rapidly and evenly.
Being so far away from everywhere else in the world we find that cost is a
factor but these knives prove to be cost effective as they last longer than
scalpels and hand sharpening is time consuming.

Bill Sinai
Laboratory Manager
Tissue Pathology, ICPMR
Westmead NSW 2145
Australia
Ph 02 9845 7774


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Hawkins,
Hal K.
Sent: Friday, 07 May 2004 7:57 AM
To: Smith, Allen; Marshall Terry Dr, Consultant Histopathologist
Cc: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] lymph nodes



My preference (mainly for cutting tough samples of skin) is the Weck
prep razor blade -- very sharp, with a well-protected opposite edge.

Hal Hawkins, UTMB Galveston

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Smith,
Allen
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 11:39 AM
To: Marshall Terry Dr, Consultant Histopathologist
Cc: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] lymph nodes

Most drugstores still carry old fashioned single edge razor blades which
have a metal strip folded over the dull edge.  They are much easier to
dissect with than the disposable microtome blades. I use them for block
trimming.

Allen A. Smith, Ph.D.
Professor of Anatomy
Barry University
School of Graduate Medical Sciences
            Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Miami Shores, Florida


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Marshall
Terry Dr,Consultant Histopathologist
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 11:37 AM
To: Mike Bromley; Histonet (E-mail)
Subject: RE: [Histonet] lymph nodes

I find for this sort of thing, disposable microtome blades are ideal.
Holders are available, but I neither use nor recommend them.

Dr Terry L Marshall, B.A.(Law), M.B.,Ch.B.,F.R.C.Path
 Consultant Pathologist
 Rotherham General Hospital
 South Yorkshire
 England
        terry.marshall@rothgen.nhs.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Bromley [mailto:M.Bromley@dgri.scot.nhs.uk]
Sent: 05 May 2004 16:26
To: Histonet (E-mail)
Subject: [Histonet] lymph nodes


Hi Everyone

I am after a very thin blade to slice unfixed lymph nodes, does anyone
have
any ideas?

Ideally some kind of holder for old style razor blades would be the
answer.

Best Wishes

Mike Bromley

Chief Biomedical Scientist
Pathology
Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary
Scotland, UK



_______________________________________________
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



The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential, and/or privileged
material. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any
errant transmission. If you receive this message in error, please
immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system and notify
the sender.  E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or
error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost,
destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses.
Barry University - Miami Shores, FL (http://www.barry.edu)

_______________________________________________
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


__________________________________________________________________

This electronic message and any attachments may be confidential.  If you
are not the intended recipient of this message would you please delete the
message and any attachments and advise the sender. Western Sydney
Area Health Services (WSAHS) uses virus scanning software but excludes 
any liability for viruses contained in any email or attachment.

This email may contain privileged and confidential information intended
only for the use of the addressees named above. If you are not the
intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any use,
dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this email is prohibited. If
you have received this email in error, please notify WSAHS
immediately. 

Any views expressed in this email are those of the individual sender 
except where the sender expressly and with authority states them 
to be the views of WSAHS.

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet