Gayle, We just use small disposable weigh boats to catch our drippings and toss them when full.
Sheila -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of gayle callis Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 10:56 AM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] Re: Knife for trimming paraffin from blocks You Wrote: I am looking for a stainless steel knife that we use to scrape off the paraffin from the embedded blocks. I could not find the 6 inches size knife in any catalog. Thanks in advance Mala Nirmala Srishan Histology Supervisor Holy Name Medical Center. ************************************************************************* Dear Mala, In the past, we used an old style permanent edge scalpel blade but after a disaster with one person seirously cutting himself while trimming paraffin from a block, we purchased a Paratrimmer with a heated, slanted metal surface. This trimmer has made everyone happy by eliminating the potential for serious injury and does an even better job of getting rid of excess paraffin. There are two models sold, one from Thermo Scientific and the other one was recently spotted on a vendor website. (Sorry, I didn't jot the name down). The trimmers are worth the investment to keep you and your employees safe from nasty cuts, no matter what the knife/blade, etc could be used. The only drawback to the Para Trimmer is the messy paraffin drippings have to be collected in some separate container that the manufacturer doesn't supply. This is more than a bit annoying. It seems to me the manufacturer of these devices would design the trimmer with a paraffin catch tray. A small aluminum baking pan (from grocery store) could be used and disposed of (not a "Green" consideration). Be safe rather than sorry. Gayle M. Callis HTL/HT/MT(ASCP) _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet