Table 1 



Defects Appearing While Sections Are Being Cut 



Fig. 44. Ribbon curved. 



Fig. 45. Sections compressed. 



Possible Causes 



1. Edges of block not parallel 



2. Knife not uniformly sharp, causing more 

 compression on one side of block than 

 other 



3. One side of block warmer than other 



Possible Causes 



1. Knife blunt 



2. Wax too soft at room temperature for 

 sections of thickness required 



3. Wax warmer than room temperature 



Remedies 



1. Trim block 



2. Try another portion of knife-edge or re- 

 sharpen knife 



3. Allow block to cool. Check possible 

 causes of heating or cooling, such as 

 lamps or drafts 



Remedies 



1. Try another portion of knife-edge or re- 

 sharpen knife. Compression often occurs 

 through a rounded cutting facet (see Fig. 

 34) produced by overstropping 



2. Reembed in suitable wax or cut thicker 

 sections. Cooling block is rarely successful 



3. Cool block to room temperature 



