MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Are there blade holders available for the AO 820 which allow the use of regular razor blades? If so where might I locate one and what might I expect to pay? I presume if available it would clamp into the standard blade holder. Will also appreciate any alternate info or suggestions.

This is the type of holder that you'll need. It takes disposable microtome blades (not std razor blades) of the 'low profile' type such as those branded 'Feather' ; these are also often available on e-bay, in packs of 50.
The above is for thin microtomy of fully processed tissue, such as those ultimately embedded in paraffin-wax blocks for sectioning.....

What type of sectioning are you going to use?

Thanks for the quick response MrSonchus. My interest has evolved toward botany and I think I would like to pursue that area. I just stumbled across a blade holder shown in the 820 ref manual which shows a Model 966 razor blade holder which mounts into the standard knife holder.
Will this not work? Perhaps I'm over looking something?? I have a Lab-Tek cassette holder which came along with my 820 though I've never attempted any embedding. I seem to enjoy frustrating myself and thought I would try to give wax a go.

Razor blades are fairly thin for sectioning and will probably chatter quicker than comfortable, so I wouldn't spend much energy on getting such a holder.
Sharp, a lot thicker and very sharp are cutter blades by the company OLFA, e.g. LBB 50.

probably chatter quicker than comfortable

Interesting Bob. I would not have thought there would be enough blade exsposed or cycles per minute to create chatter.

You'd be surprised how good an ordinary razorblade may perform when well-mounted..
Here's a post of mine from way-back when I was wrestling with the limitations of the 'Cambridge Rocking Microtome' device, in as much as the re-sharpening of the steel knives used routinely with said 'tome, and as used in the generations of instruments such as the AO820...

I now use a more recent (but still nowhere near SOTA of course) Shandon AS0325 with disposable blades - cuts like a dream down to 1µ.

I got an adapter to hold a ralph knife so sometimes I like to turn down the lights and put on a Donna summer record and get down (with making thin sections)

mrsonchus » Fri Sep 11, 2020 2:54 pm
You'd be surprised how good an ordinary razorblade may perform when well-mounted..
Here's a post of mine from way-back

Quite impressive Mr Sonchus .Perhaps I should just find a good source for cello tape and save my pennies until I can pay $200 for a low profile disposable blade holder.