48 



Microtomes and Microtome Knives (chap. 4) 



Figure 7. First set of strokes for microtome knife stropping. 



Lipshaw offers several block strop combinations; the revolving one is 

 especially handy. 



First use a honing strop, usually made of pigskin with a fine abrasive 

 embedded in it. Then follow with the finishing strop, a fine-grain horse- 

 hide. The two patterns for stropping are similar to those of honing, btit 

 with the cutting edge moving away from the strop. (Figs. 7, 8) Repeat 

 these strokes on the honing strop until fine abrasions caused by the hone 

 have been smoothed away, then polish with a few strokes on the finish- 

 ing strop. Only a dozen strokes on the latter should be necessary if the 

 preliminary honing and stropping have been properly done. While 

 honing and stropping, use both hands, left one on the back and adjacent 

 knife surface, and the right hand on the handle. Press on lightly, guid- 



