Best knives & scalpels for labs according to redditors

A scalpel blade handle

Here, found some that are less than 70 cents each for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Medpride-Disposable-Stainless-Steel-Individual-Dermaplaining/dp/B07M9WJ38R

Guess I can perform surgery, now.

I use these: https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Premiere-9411pk20-Disposable-High-Carbon-Individually/dp/B06XWWRS6P/

The key is to control the blade so you cut horizontally in thin layers and not just cutting down and deep. Scalpel is much much better of a tool than nail clippers for both controling the amount of skin your shaving off, as well as keeping a smooth surface on the skin, and they are sterile and individually wrapped so your not contaminating the site with nail clippers.

I've found that eliminating layer lines isn't too important if you go down to .08mm; the big issue is that overhangs and drooping on fine details can be a killer that overshadows the smooth surfaces. A few tools I've found handy:

Get a good round scalpel handle and a pack of carbon steel 15C scalpel blades. They'll be your go-to for nicking out tiny little stray globs and trimming plastic. Way more precise and durable than X-Acto or hobby knives.

Then get a set of diamond mini-needle files — they'll be useful for smoothing rough spots. Diamond grit may seem like overkill for PLA, but the fine texture of the grit is what matters: it won't leave your models ragged and with care you can actually restore detail that's lost to droopy overhangs, etc.

Finally, get a sharp-edged "soldering pick" and use the needle files to sharpen it to a nice sharp edge. It'll be your go-to for levering out bits of support, and picking away at larger globs of plastic. If you ever find that the scalpel blade bends while you're trying to clean up a defect, go to the soldering pick.

I get tired of hearing people say that "this hobby is so expensive" and "I can't afford to make my kits look good" or "I can't afford a panel line marker"

I took it upon myself to build a kit using the fewest tools possible. The total cost was $3 for the pen and $2.50 for the scalpel, bringing the grand total to $5.50.

The scalpel definitely got dull towards the end and I highly recommend using more than 1 (at least 2-3 per kit if you don't use side cutters). When the blade is sharp you can simply cut right next to the plastic and then clean it up, towards the end I had to start cutting V shaped wedges on the plastic gate so that I did not stress the plastic

You can get a box of 100 with a holder for $10. and the pen refill for $1.80

Would I advise this method for everyone ? No. I could have done this much quicker and stressed the plastic less with side cutters, and the panel line from a gel pen easily smears, so my advice: Get some good side cutters, some hobby blades and some Gundam Markers

Feedback and Question appreciated !

1 dollar per scalpel? thats high. get a few reusable handle and disposable blades.

http://www.amazon.com/Scalpel-Blades-10-Box-100/dp/B0008FUQ2E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2PEBCZGUCFYHF&coliid=I3BBGQWHHHIZXY

note: i have no experience with this kind of thing, this just seems logical to me.

TCA 30%

Is my current go to. On my second bottle! About to up to 40 or 50% It’s pretty safe on hands and feet. Just make sure to use a cotton swab to pinpoint the only the wart. I layer 2x a day until a callus forms then debride with tiny scapels Scapels for removal $10

I know this is super hard, but you’re working on it. Honestly, have never felt so ugly, broken and just plain old as I have through this horrible experience. The alternative is far more unbearable, though. So we hold the line, friend.

I use #11 scalpel blades such as this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0079LWFQK/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1468520298&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=scalpel+blade&dpPl=1&dpID=51jT2N6Ad2L&ref=plSrch

They fit into any xacto knife you can screw in the blades. Xacto blades by comparison are way less sharp.

I got something like this, but there's so many listings on Amazon that look the same, I'd just go for the cheapest

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019QT97WM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vbNGAb2WY2HK4


Some people say parafilm is optional and you can use a plastic bag instead, but if you're going to do it, might as well try learning how to use this stuff:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085OFNVE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_hdNGAb1MGMG47



Before the shears, I got one of these, but I reground the bevel to the other side because I was using it I guess opposite of how people normally hold it


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008U7IYZI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xhNGAbT2GB803



I never tried this, but if you're not a fan of sharpening knives so they're super sharp, but you want to try using a knife, I saw a video where a guy suggested using something like this (not sure what size to get, I guess depends on how big the wood is):


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00096SCAK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PlNGAbB0FY889

This ought to do it

Just on amazon!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Swann-Morton-no3-scalpel-handle/dp/B00Y3PHILM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487838928&sr=8-1&keywords=Swann+Morton+no3

Post #2:

Preparation:

getting the supplies

Agar agar powder. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Telephone-Product-Thailand-Powder-Ounce/dp/B01KMHY2OU/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Special-Ingredients-Premium-Gelatine-European/dp/B00EZMPMNE)

Always start with agar! And don't throw old fully colonized plates out. Some contaminants (e.g. mycogone, AKA wet bubble disease will only show up after full colonization (white blobs oozing yellow/orange fluid). and that one (mycogone) will fck up your grow hard, been there done that...

Light malt extract. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Light-Dried-Malt-Extract/dp/B007XYGBXQ/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balliihoo-Light-Spraymalt-1Kg-Bag/dp/B0153BASSY/)

Containers for no pour agar (Pasty Plates). [US](https://www.amazon.com/Glad-Food-Storage-Containers-Round/dp/B000WGBMMM/) [Europe](https://www.flaschenbauer.de/einmachglaeser/sturzglaeser/sturzglas-225-ml-to-82) (maybe use Google translate on that site). Also if you are in North America there are Glad mini rounds, they are used in the original Pasty Plate tek. They also have [430ml jars](https://www.flaschenbauer.de/einmachglaeser/sturzglaeser/sturzglas-430-ml-to-82) suitable as substrate containers

A pressure cooker. Good ones are a b**ch to find in Europe. I wouldn't buy [that one](https://www.ebay.de/itm/Pressure-cooker-17L-Stainless-steel-Made-In-Turkey-Largest-Size/133128864948) or similar constructed ones, they are complete s**t, build up next to no pressure and need ungodly amounts of water. I have two of them, but had to do some haphazard MacGyveresqe hacking to get them to sterilize properly, I'll bring that up later.

I also have a Fagor Alu 22 (22 liters, fits eleven quart bottles), but I think that model went out of production in 2017 without a replacement. IMHO the only sane option in Europe right now, would be to order a Presto from the US, they're ~80€ + 40€ shipping, so not that bad. [Presto 23 quart PC](https://www.amazon.com/Presto-Aluminum-23-Quart-Pressure-Canner/dp/B073NCFL2L/)

Also on US websites like shroomery, you'll always read something like "sterilize 90min @ 15 psi". Pressure cookers in Europe usually have no gauges and only go to 50-70 kPa (~7-10 psi). It isn't as bad as it sounds, since sterilization time isn't linear with pressure/temperature. I've found I can get away with 120 min sterilization time for grains, 75 min for PF sub and 30 min for agar.

Scalpel handle and blades. [US](https://www.amazon.com/100-Scalpel-Blades-One-Handle/dp/B01MPX3JTI/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Swann-Morton-Handle-5-10-Blades/dp/B004OIAVJY/)

(optional) inoculation loop. [US](https://www.amazon.com/OESS-Reusable-Inoculating-Inoculation-Bacterial/dp/B071DCS7TW) [Europe1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Akozon-Inoculation-Inoculating-Microbiology-Laboratory/dp/B07KM7F8VH) [Europe2](https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcingmap%C2%AE-Inoculating-Microbiology-Tissue-Culture/dp/B071X44DS4/)

Tyvek (for filtered lids). [US](https://www.amazon.com/Dupont-Tyvek-105gm-A5-Sheets/dp/B07418F31G/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tyvek-75gm-Bumper-pack-sheets/dp/B004EXTKSW/)

(optional) oster blender attachments used for PF slurry or LI. [China](https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Head-Ice-Crushing-Crusher-Blade-Replacement-Part-For-Oster-Osterizer-Blender/182451440105)

3M Micropore tape (for filtered lids and monotub holes). [US](https://www.amazon.com/3M-1530-1-Micropore-Tape-Pack/dp/B0082A9FEM/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Micropore-Surgical-First-Medical/dp/B01KYK2666/)

A spray bottle for soapy water. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Tolco-Bottle-Frosted-Assorted-Colors/dp/B000H88PCU/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leifheit-72416-Laundry-Sprayer/dp/B0049PB11Y/)

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), 70%. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Isopropyl-Antiseptic-Technical/dp/B07NFSFBXQ/) (dilute down to 70%, that percentage is best for sanitization [EU](https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Can-Source-Ltd-Fingerprints/dp/B07PGB5X6Y/)

A rack to elevate your agar dishes while you do transfers, like these that come with microwave ovens (contaminants tend to collect on the SABs bottom).

A slightly wet towel to put the SAB on. Some people disagree on this, I use the towel to absorb the sprayed soap/water mix and not having that run off the table.

A clear box that's modified as a SAB. I use this one as a SAB, maybe they ship outside Germany. Anyway the manufacturer is kis.it (builds the monotub too), so I think they might be available elsewhere in Europe: https://www.obi.de/aufbewahrungsboxen/obi-allzweckbox-santos-transparent-oversize-140-l/p/3333341?template=PDP&box=box4

More clear boxes used to fruit bottles (basically a monotub, just with individual substrate containers). I use these as unmodded monos (no holes, no flipped lid, lids not latched): https://www.obi.de/aufbewahrungsboxen/obi-allzweckbox-cadiz-l-mit-4-rollen-transparent/p/1930387.

Butane torch [US](https://www.amazon.com/Multipurpose-MDee-Culinary-Refillable-Adjustable/dp/B07MNN2B43) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kollea-Adjustable-Refillable-Blowtorch-Soldering/dp/B07QC1T6H5)

Bottles (can be wide mouth pint mason jars (US), quart Ziplock PP5 containers (US) or [these (which I use)](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Round-Food-Containers-Plastic-Clear-Storage-Tubs-with-Lids-Deli-Pots-2oz-to-32oz/232308091965)

If you can find surgical scalpels, they work amazingly... Just easily slice around the edges, then you can get a metal spatula in there.

Dynarex 4110-B Disposable Scalpels, Sterile, Number 10, 10/bx https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00095OGQU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_RD48BbXGGKTG7

Btw I like using disposable razors with curved edges like this: https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Labwares-793-160-Disposable-High-Carbon/dp/B079RJF45Q There are many options on Amazon. Pick up some gloves while you're at it if you don't have them already, this shit spreads when it's angry and the last thing you want is one on your hand. You can also buy cantharidin online if you're going off health insurance

https://www.amazon.com/STAINLESS-SCALPEL-STERILE-DDP-QUALITY/dp/B00OTKSUN6/ref=pd_sim_sbs_328_8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=31DCDDZ6AD3TZQ4S5T84

>it takes about eight seconds for my son's nurse to diagnose an ear infection

It takes me about 8 seconds to effect an 8-figure financial transaction. Here's the keyboard - want to give it a shot?

>otoscopes are readily available for personal purchase

So are scalpels. Where should you make the first cut, Doctor?

I'm far from "freaked out." I find this highly entertaining, to be honest. Everybody is smarter than average. It's all so easy. No reason we can't do it ourselves.