Sharpening of autopsy tools.
This article describes basic tool-sharpening techniques in which grinding wheels, files, abrasive papers, stones, strops, and steels are used to repair and sharpen the edges of autopsy tools including chisels, knives, scissors, and shears. In general, files or grinding wheels are used to repair edges with gross defects such as burrs, nicks, or chips, or to restore the bevel of an edge, and then a stone is used to sharpen the edge; whereas abrasive paper, strops, or steels are used to remove rust or oxidation products and to touch up an already sharp edge immediately prior to use. Although pathologists may prefer to delegate the sharpening of tools to others or to buy new tools when old ones become dull, there may be occasions when knowledge of sharpening techniques is beneficial either to sharpen a tool or to ensure that proper sharpening techniques are used by others.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
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D001344:Autopsy / Q000295:instrumentation*