What is the difference between high and low profile blades?
Microtome Blades are available in either a low-profile or high-profile. The profile of the blade refers to different blade geometries of the blade. This has a direct effect on the angle at which the blade makes contact with the tissue/sample during sectioning, influencing the quality of sections produced. The combination of both the type of sample being cut and the microtome used determines which profile blade you need to use. Here are the differences between high-profile and low-profile blades:
High Profile
High-profile microtome blades are larger in height and possess a thicker cutting edge raised higher above the surface of the blade, resulting in a steeper angle of contact with the tissue sample. High-profile are ideal for cutting harder or denser tissue samples with more resistance and require more force to section effectively. Samples of this specification include bone, cartilage, and skin, in addition to frozen samples.
Low Profile
Low-profile microtome blades offer a contrasting profile that is lower in height and sometimes shorter. This means the edge is closer to the surface of the blade resulting in a shallower angle when cutting. Low-profile blades deliver precise and delicate sectioning where fine control of section thickness is essential to cut thinner samples. The perfect samples for low-profile blades are soft tissue samples that are more fragile to handle, such as brain, liver or kidney tissue, where maintaining tissue integrity is very important.
So Much More Than A Profile
When choosing the right microtome blade, there are more characteristics than just the profile of the blade, that will determine which blade is the best for your laboratory. These include:
- The blade shape.
- The material the blade is made from.
- The thickness of the blade.
- The blade coating.
- Whether the blades are reusable or disposable.
- The durability of the blade.
- The sharpness of the blade.
- The application in which the blade is being used for.
- The machine the blade is being used on.
Compare Microtome Blades
To help you make the right decision, we have designed an easy-to-use guide which compares our entire range of Microtome Blades, helping you achieve the best quality sections based on the microtome you are using and the specimens you are cutting.
Name/Desciption | Type of Microtome | Dimensions | Material | Blade Angle | Soft Tissue | Hard Tissue | Cryostat Sectioning | |
 | HPS High profile microtome blades ideal for cutting soft specimens and thin sectioning of paraffin embedded tissue blocks. | Sledge/ Rotary | 0.254 x 8 x 80 | Surgical Steel Blade/ Plasma Coating | 35° |  | ||
 | LPS Low profile microtome blades for cutting soft specimens and thin sectioning of paraffin embedded tissue blocks. | Sledge/ Rotary | 0.254 x 8 x 80 | Surgical Steel Blade/ Plasma Coating | 35° | | ||
 Bestseller | LPH * Multipurpose microtome blades that can be used to cut both soft and hard specimens. | Sledge/ Rotary | 0.254 x 8 x 80 | Surgical Steel Blade/ Plasma Coating | 35° | | | |
 | A-35 Durable blade for routine sectioning. For thin sectioning of paraffin embedded tissue blocks. | Sledge/ Rotary | 0.254 x 8 x 80 | Stainless Steel/ Resin Coating | 35° | | | |
 | C-35 Carbon steel blade for cryostat sectioning. Less curling of sections for easy operation. For thin sectioning of frozen tissue blocks. | Cryostat | 0.245 x 8 x 80 | Carbon Steel | 35° | | | |
 | N-35 For thin sectioning of paraffin embedded tissue blocks. Especially suited for hard tissues. | Sledge/ Rotary | 0.254 x 8 x 80 | Stainless Steel/ Resin Coating | 35° | | | |
 | R-35 Especially suited for Ribbon sectioning. Double spattering increases blade edge strength and durability. For thin sectioning of paraffin embedded tissue blocks. | Sledge/ Rotary | 0.254 x 8 x 80 | Stainless Steel/ Resin Coating | 35° | | | |
 | S-35 Standard blade with superior sectioning quality from | Sledge/ Rotary | 0.254 x 8 x 80 | Stainless Steel/ Resin Coating | 35° | | ||
 | MX35 Ultra™ All round Low-profile blade, best for hard and soft specimens compatible with most manufacturers’ microtomes and cryostats. | Sledge/ Rotary | Stainless Steel | 34º | | |