In microtomy, section lift from the blade indicates which blade condition most likely?

• A. A dull blade
• B. A chipped blade
• C. A too sharp blade
• D. A clean blade

Answer: (A)

When the edge of the knife becomes dull, it can no longer shear the tissue cleanly. The tissue then tends to drag and not cut smoothly, which causes the section to lift away from the blade as you advance the knife. That lifted section is a telltale sign that the blade edge has dulled and needs refreshing or sharpening. A chipped blade would produce notches or irregularities in the section edges, a blade that’s too sharp usually still cuts cleanly, and a clean blade would give smooth ribbons with no lift.