Mushy sections and sections with chatter are not the result of a nick in the blade.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not Enough Information
• D. It Depends On Blade Brand

Answer: (B)

Blade condition directly influences how cleanly tissue is cut. A nick in the knife edge creates an irregular cutting surface, which causes the blade to grab, tear, or smear tissue as it passes. This irregular action shows up as mushy-looking sections where tissue is not cleanly shaved, and as chatter—the fine, wavy or vibrating surface caused by the edge catching and releasing tissue repeatedly. So these problems can indeed be a result of a blade nick, making the statement false. To fix, inspect for nicks, replace or re-sharpen the blade, and verify proper cutting parameters (angle, force, and knife travel) to restore crisp sections.