If you think razor blades are the ultimate in sharpness, you’ve never seen a microtome blade in action. These precision tools are so finely honed that they can cut cell layers thinner than a human hair. Their cutting edge is often so perfect that it can be sharper than a scalpel – yet they are completely unsuitable for everyday use.
Why is that? Quite simply, their geometry is specifically designed to cut wafer-thin samples for microscopy, not to cut through whiskers, spines or paper. Anyone who tries to misuse a microtome blade risks not only dull blades, but also uncontrolled, dangerous cuts.
And that’s where it gets exciting – because when you cut yourself on a microtome blade, you often don’t realise it until it’s too late. The cut is so fine that there’s hardly any resistance, and the nerve endings don’t even register that the skin has been severed. One false move, a little carelessness, and suddenly blood is dripping onto the lab bench.
So whether in the laboratory or in sample preparation, microtome blades deserve respect. They are true masterpieces of precision – so watch your fingers!