Hello all,

I've recently set up a Reichert-Jung Polycut E for paraffin sectioning of 
decalcified bone specimen, but the quality of the sections has been 
terrible--even when cutting paraffin blocks without specimen.  The sections 
are coming off the knife in multiple segments with many knife marks (marks 
perpendicular to the knife face).  After varying the knife angle, section 
thickness, cutting speed, and trying different surfaces of the knife, I 
concluded that the knife must be dull.  To make a long story short, I've 
tried 4 different new, molded knives, and the results have been the same 
with all of them.

I've suspected that the specimen holder and/or knife holder may be loose or 
faulty, but if that were the case, I would expect chatter and not knife 
marks.  Is that a correct assumption or should I consider that as a 
possibility?

If there is anyone with a Polycut E who has obtained quality sections, or if 
there's anyone has any insight at all, I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Jay D. Turner
Dept. of Orthopaedics
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Newark, NJ

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