| The
Sliding Microtome uses a slicing motion to make
sections while the Rotary Microtome uses a choping
action to cut specimens. Slicing is preferable because it places less pressure on the specimen at the point of contact compared to chopping. That is why slicing is better than chopping for hand sections. The Sliding Microtome is commonly used for sectioning wood. It can be used to section resin-embedded specimens as well. It has been successfully used to section charcoal embedded in resin. It could be used with fresh material. However, I have not tried this. If the microtome knife has contact with water, it needs to be dried and oiled ASAP. WARNING - Microtome Knives are EXTREMELY SHARP & Dangerous! They are so sharp that you can hardly feel them cutting into your hand (DTW personal experience)! Be constantly aware of the blade's location! Allways use a handle to carry a Microtome Knife! It is a bit too cumbersome to rate as a field instrument. However, if you planned to do a lot of onsite wood sectioning, it could be used in a base camp. This would also require the use of a microtome knife sharpener. However, disposable microtome knives might work. |
