Disposable microtome blades: a legacy forged in the orient

The disposable microtome blade is now the microtomy product of choice in the modern histopathology laboratory for the production of high-quality tissue sections to aid the diagnosis of disease. A good-quality blade is often undervalued, and this article aims to explain some of the history, skill and diversity surrounding the production and use of disposable microtome blades, and provides some useful information and guidance.

History
In the days when use of a solid microtome knife was standard practice for producing tissue sections, care of its cutting edge was of paramount importance. A sense of personal pride surrounded its upkeep. It was not acceptable to use another person’s prized knife and its upkeep took a lot of time. The longevity of its edge was dictated by the order in which tissue blocks were cut and the quality of the materials used in processing those blocks. The knife’s upkeep became a ritual of skill and the edge was sharpened and honed to perfection. Histologists were easily spotted outside the laboratory as the only people who stepped backwards quickly when any knife was dropped, rather than trying to catch it before it hit the floor.

Introduction of the disposable microtome blade to the UK was not without its problems, and, as with many new products in the histopathology laboratory, it met with a fierce resistance to change. The first widely accepted disposable blade was the Feather S35 blade, which was only accepted following persistent demonstration of the excellent results it could produce. For the first time it became possible to cut routine sections at less than 5 ?m without the need to embed and cut resin blocks using glass knives. Research, development and manufacturing skill was vital in realising this achievement, and it is not surprising that the manufacturer, The Feather Safety Razor Company, was based in Japan, a country famed for the excellence of its swords and steel production.