On the Sharpening of Microtome Knives for Ultra-Thin Sectioning

Abstract

Conventional methods of sharpening involve extensive grinding which is primarily for the removal of large nicks but which serves the additional purpose of fitting the knife to the sharpening means. Since large nicks rarely occur in ultra‐thin microtomy, the grinding would become unnecessary if the fitting of the knife to the sharpening means could be made permanent. A permanently attached short sharpening back is described which makes this possible. Using the finest abrasives and polishing powders and prepared glass plates as the sharpening surfaces, it is possible to resharpen a knife in less than ten minutes. The method is described in detail.