Razor Blade Planer

[Burt Alcantara]

In the back of my mind I recall a small planer that used single edged razor blades. Does this ring a bell with anyone? I'm studying wood identification using a hand lens. Eventually, I'll graduate to a microscope so the slice has to be very clean.

I'm not able to make a good slice manually so the sample does not have enough clean surface for detailed inspection.

Of course, if you have an idea that would accomplish the same thing please let me know.

Thanks,
Burt

[Craig Earls]

It is called, strangely enough, a razor plane, and is available at hobby shops that support balsa kit airplanes.

Here is an example google brought up using "razor plane", no affiliation with the seller

http://www.skykingrcproducts.com/accessories/david/david_razor_plane.html

[Burt Alcantara]

That looks good. I found this one at Lee Valley.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&cat=1,41182,41188,56750&p=56750

[John Bush]

There is an Austrian plane, Radi-Plane IIRC, that has disposable razor type blades. More substantial than those linked, but ~~4X the price

[Burt Alcantara]

I found out what I need is a microtome to make thin slices for viewing with a microscope. I'm going to try using my small plane first then a razor blade plane. Microtomes are not cheap by a long shot. Most are designed to slice soft things like tissue, plant matter and the like. The less expensive ones use a straight razor.

Burt