Hand sectioning; plants

[NikonUser]

In this month's Micscape Magazine there is an interesting technique:
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html

I have tried to hand cut sections using several methods, none worked! This method works at almost no cost.
Here is a section of a Hydrangea flower stem. I have only zoological stains which obviously don't work for botanical material . I have ordered botanical stains. I thought I would draw member's attention to the article while there is still time, for us in the north, to get plant material before winter.
Hopefully better images and interpretation after the stains arrive.
Nikon D7200, 4x CFN, Zerene PMax, flash; stem is 3.24mm wide

[rjlittlefield]

Thanks for the post.

For future reference, here are direct links to the article:
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artoct20/ms-hand-sectioning-plants.html
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artoct20/ms-hand-sectioning-plants.pdf
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artoct20/ms-hand-sectioning-plants/index.html?page=1

--Rik

[viktor j nilsson]

And for further reference, here's a link to the late Walter Dioni's original article:

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artapr04/wdslicera.html

[MarkSturtevant]

This 'takes me back'. When I was in gradual school, my research involved doing lots of micro-surgery on various live insects and crustaceans. Legendary among us sorts were 'blue blades', which at the time were regarded as excellent quality. It has been a very very long time, but I suspect these are them: https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Bl ... B0059QF5RS There is discussion in the comments about other brands that are also seen as exceptionally sharp.

[NikonUser]

The only blades my pharmacy had were Wilkinson Sword, made in Germany. I bought a pack, of 10, $14.00 !!
These are the ones I used.
Still waiting for my stains, from the UK.

[Pau]

Straight scalpel blades are useful for hand cutting, although in most cases too short for use with typical hand microtomes
Swann-Morton #16 may be convenient,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swann-Morton ... SwSXFeEO8r

I've used their "Minor Skin Graft Blade No. SG3" with good success with vegetable not too soft tissues
https://www.swann-morton.com/product/33.php