Michael/ Sue:
I had replied early to the original inquiry explaining this and other points.
Briefly, everything else being equal, a higher and thicker blade will be 
stronger and less prone to movement. That is why many users prefer high profile 
blades for cryostats.
A thinner blade (usually the low profile blades are) will have a sharper edge 
or more shallow cutting angle.
So for sectioning 3um or thinner sections the low profile is preferred by many.
A combination holder is available from Sturkey (we are their agents in 
Australia & NZ) but most people seem to purchase separate holders for high and 
low profile blades. Or make do with one for all occasion.
Cheers
Jim Darley
ProSciTech                 Microscopy PLUS
PO Box 111, Thuringowa  QLD  4817  Australia
Ph +61 7 4774 0370  Fax:+61 7 4789 2313  service@proscitech.com
Great microscopy catalogue, 500 Links, MSDS, User Notes
                      www.proscitech.com

On Thursday, October 14, 1999 10:02 AM, MICHAEL BECKER [SMTP:msadk@worldnet.  
att.net] wrote:
> Al,
>
> Hello. Saw your inquiry.  I believe this is a technical question but anyone
> out there in HistoNet please correct me if I am wrong.  I cut with high
> profile blades in a Reichert-Jung 1500 Cryostat because thats the blade
> that fits properly in the built in knife holder in the machine. Low profile
> would not work because they are not tall enough.  In the past when I cut
> paraffin  processed tissue in a hospital setting we all used low profile-I
> believe because that what fit the knife holders the best.  Any one out
> there know any thing different please advise.  Happy cutting  : ) !
>
> Sue Becker, HTL
> Albany, NY
>
> ----------
> > From: HistoNet Server <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
> > To: HistoNet Server <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
> > Subject: Daily Digest
> > Date: Sunday, October 10, 1999 1:12 AM
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Date: 9 Oct 1999 13:30:23 -0500
> > From: PHOBOS11@aol.com
> > Subject: Hi/low profile blades
> >
> > Hi Everyone:
> >
> > I'm interested in finding out what factors are used to determine which
> type
> > of disposable blades (hi/low profile) are selected for use in a
> laboratory.
> > I have talked to many histologists and the reasons are still unclear. The
>
> > selection seems to be more personal preference rather than technical.  I
> hope
> > responses to the following questions will help me figure out which one to
>
> > choose.
> >
> >
> >
> > Do you use high or low profile blades?
> >
> > If you use both, what is the ratio of high to low?
> >
> > On a 1 to 5 scale (5 being very likely), would you be willing to
> > switch to a high or low profile blade if a better product was available?
> >
> > Which one do you consider to be the best on the market today?
> >
> > Why?
> >
> > Would a medium profile blade be a good compromise if one was available
> (1-5
> > scale)?
> >
> > Why?
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Al
> >
> >
> > Here are the messages received yesterday!