If an image shows an issue that could be prevented by facing less aggressively, what is the recommended practice?

• A. Facing less aggressively
• B. Facing more aggressively
• C. Increasing block temperature
• D. Decreasing blade sharpness

Answer: (A)

Facing is trimming the block face to expose a fresh, even surface for sectioning. If the image shows artifacts that could be prevented by trimming less, the best practice is to face less aggressively. Trim with gentler pressure instead of removing a lot of material at once, which helps preserve delicate tissue architecture and reduces distortions, tears, or edge damage that can occur when the surface is shaved too aggressively. By easing off the facing, you create a smoother, more consistent surface that leads to better ribbons and fewer irregularities in the subsequent sections. If problems persist after adjusting facing, you may also review blade condition, knife angle, and block orientation, but the primary fix for this scenario is gentler facing.