Surgical Scalpels

For those of you that have never tried them, you need to!
I have a #3 handle and a #4 handle. These have the replacable blades which i buy at the medical supply or off ebay (cheaper there!)
These are available in the same basci blade numbers as the X-acto, but are MUCH sharper as well as thinner (at least the #11 blades for the #3 handle).
I have used the disposable ones which cut just as good, but are more costly in the long run.
Remember these scalpel blades are like double edge razor blades as far as *sharpness* is concerned.
Bill

I have been using them for some time and I have to agree they do seem to be sharper. The only minus to them is the thinness means you need to dispose of them when they get dull as it takes less presure to make them break than an E-acto. If you are going to hack away you need something more solid to work with.

Hi Bill,
I found some *rib back* blades, German made, on ebay to fit a #4 handle.
Same degree of sharpness but reinforced on the top edge to stop the snapping of the blades. Will have to back track through the records to see where they *came* from. 100 for about $12 shipped, and of the highest quality, still shrink wrapped package, etc..
No. 22 or #24, triangluar shape like #11 but the next larger size.
Bill

LAST EDITED ON Nov-05-03 AT 06:06 PM (CST)
 
If you are going to hack away you need something
>more solid to work with.

My stars, I hope any surgeon that gets near me is a smoother operator than THAT!

The surgical scalpels (sometimes I can snaffle some disposable ones)are great for trimming covering, slicing strips of soft balsa, and doing light trimming and tidying up. I use them more on FF esp indoor planes. Great for slicing ribs.

>I have been using them for some time and I have to agree
>they do seem to be sharper. The only minus to them is the
>thinness means you need to dispose of them when they get
>dull as it takes less presure to make them break than an
>E-acto. If you are going to hack away you need something
>more solid to work with.

I very highly recommend the Testors "Model Master" #11 blades. They are much sharper than Exacto blades, and more importantly, stay that way for a while since they are carbon steel rather than stainless. They are close to as sharp as the surgical blades, but a lot stiffer, and I think they are quite superior overall. They fit the regular #1 handles. You can get them at any good hobby shop.

My R/C nephew gifted me with some Testors Black #11 blades. D&J Hobbies had them in Campbell, Ca. I now live 120 mi. East, but do stock up when there. I have a 100-pack of Eracto that is in the drawer, as a Backup. Just try 'em. You'll never go back...

HI Bill. When my first wife brought home some surgical knives for me to try, I thought wow, but after a week I went back to Xactos. The surgical blades do not handle hard balsa that well or the other woods. The ridge on the blade helps make it rigid, but changing them out is a pain. Now I know why Drs in surgery have OR techs do it for them. My ex was an OR Tech. Lot's of goodies came home. Once opened, but not used, the stuff had to be thrown out if it could not be autoclaved. Sorry, but I'm sticking to xacto blades and handles, unless I decide to do surgery. Any one need a vasectomy??

LAST EDITED ON Nov-09-03 AT 05:28 PM (CST)
 
"Any one need a vasectomy??"

Oh, GAWD, Ty! ROTFLMAO!!! Actually, I no longer do, but thanks for the offer anyway...

Tim

>> The surgical blades do not handle hard
>>balsa that well or the other woods.

Well now, Ty,
You have given the answer to my problems in building!
I use too soft balsa! LOL!!
The #25 rib back blade in a #4 handle will cut 1/32 ply like soft butter.
I only use Xacto, or any of the others, to do cuts that are not critical.
To each his own. I just don't like to apply a lot of pressure to make a cut. And I have not seen any of the hobby blades as sharp as the surgical "razors">
Anyway, I got razor saws, a scroll saw, a band saw, and various other implements to cut hard stuff! LOL!!
Thanks, Buddy. Hope to see you at KOI.
Bill <><

>HI Bill. When my first wife brought home some surgical
>knives for me to try, I thought wow, but after a week I went
>back to Xactos. The surgical blades do not handle hard
>balsa that well or the other woods. The ridge on the blade
>helps make it rigid, but changing them out is a pain. Now I
>know why Drs in surgery have OR techs do it for them. My ex
>was an OR Tech. Lot's of goodies came home. Once opened,
>but not used, the stuff had to be thrown out if it could not
>be autoclaved. Sorry, but I'm sticking to xacto blades and
>handles, unless I decide to do surgery. Any one need a
>vasectomy??

Ty,
I had problems replacing the blades too until I tried using a small needle nos epliers on them. I grip the blade on the ridge side as far back on it as I can - do a slight roll of my hand clockwise and push it off. Grasp the new one right in front of the small part of the slot and slide it on. If I hold all the way across the blade I still don't hit the edge.

Bill,
Bard-Parker -- Trademark of Becton Dickinson makes the rib back that fits the number 3 handle ( thats all I use ) Their phone number is
1 - 800 333 4813. I haven't tried to order direct as they are sold locally in packs of 50.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-03 AT 08:19 PM (CST)
 
No kidding. That is just exactly how they do it in surgery. I learned that in 1964 from my wife. Bard Parker is the brand name for most surgical instruments. I have a bunch of them. I still prefer X-acto. The surgical knives do have a nasty habit of jumping off the balde when cutting hard balsa and any side pressure will cause this. Guess how I know this. I stopped using them in 1980, so I have a lot of experience with them. Never again. By the way, she showed me how to do it with mosquito forceps. They lock.

Hey Ty,
Just how thick and hard IS the balsa you're cutting?
I use the #4 handle with a rib back #25 blade. never had that problem cutting up to 1/4 in. just cut the flaps tonight with that set up.... have to hunt now to find an xacto with a #11 blade! LOL!!
to each his own.
Bill ,.,

A good source of scalpels with replaceable #11 blades is Tim Goldstein at http://www.F1D.biz. Click on the logo to enter the site, then click on "Order Other Items", and then scroll through the list until you get to the scalpels.
While you're in Tim's site, and if you want a shock, click on "Order Wood" and check out the prices. But, if you want 4.3# C-grained wood .007" thick to make an EZB prop (say 14 x 26), this is the place to go.