Sharp as a scalpel

[Seraphim]

Because it IS a scalpel!

Doc sent me a couple of surgical scalpels to take a look at under the scope.

The eyeball test was pretty unimpressive. By looking at the glint along the edge, I could see that the flat part of the scalpel was a bit wavy, and didn't look to have a particularly keen edge.

Taking a pic under the scope was difficult as well, because apparently the egde has some sort of rounded/convex micro-bevel, and so it was difficult to get the correct lighting. Anyhow, you can see the result. The metal seems to have some sort of grain structure to it, embedded doo-dads (that's the kind of terminology you get to use after 4 years of med school...). The edge itslef looks fine enough, but you can see that it is a bit wavy and convexed. Not overly impressive, did not pass the HHT. Then again, these are designed to saw through tissue, not whisper through whiskers.

As a bit of synchronicity, I had a dermatology appointment yesterday to have a mole excised, and the doc there also used B-P scalpels. I can confirm that they do indeed slice and dice with the best of them.



With a liberal dose of lidacane!

Pics;
Package
Scalpel
Edge
Edge viewed direct incidence
My BBS incision.

[Krodor]

Will be fun to rip that bandage off...yowzah!

[danjared]

I used to have a Thuringian that came in a set with three scalpels. I guess they ran out of Thuringians!

(Also, anyone else think that sounds like a race from Star Trek?)

[Doc226]

Very interesting pics. The edge actually looks better than I expected. It looks very smooth and even, I can attest it cuts tissue very nicely, does not pass the HHT or even shave arm hair easily.

BP-as you can see is for Bard-Parker. i was taught in medical school, never to ask for the scalpel, sometimes the patient is awake and sedated during surgery and asking for the scalpel scares them. Anesthesiologists often see a spike in blood pressure and heart rate when patients hear the word scalpel-tehy know they are going to get cut. When you ask for the "Bard-Parker" they have no idea what you are asking for.

[Slash McCoy]

Very interesting pics. The edge actually looks better than I expected. It looks very smooth and even, I can attest it cuts tissue very nicely, does not pass the HHT or even shave arm hair easily.

BP-as you can see is for Bard-Parker. i was taught in medical school, never to ask for the scalpel, sometimes the patient is awake and sedated during surgery and asking for the scalpel scares them. Anesthesiologists often see a spike in blood pressure and heart rate when patients hear the word scalpel-tehy know they are going to get cut. When you ask for the "Bard-Parker" they have no idea what you are asking for.

HA! NOW we know!

I am PATIENT! Hear me ROAR!
Watch my pulse and BP SOAR!

[Kentos]

Very interesting pics. The edge actually looks better than I expected. It looks very smooth and even, I can attest it cuts tissue very nicely, does not pass the HHT or even shave arm hair easily.

BP-as you can see is for Bard-Parker. i was taught in medical school, never to ask for the scalpel, sometimes the patient is awake and sedated during surgery and asking for the scalpel scares them. Anesthesiologists often see a spike in blood pressure and heart rate when patients hear the word scalpel-tehy know they are going to get cut. When you ask for the "Bard-Parker" they have no idea what you are asking for.

Better a scalpel than, "pass the bone saw and chest retractors"

[paco664]

Better a scalpel than, "pass the bone saw and chest retractors"

wayyy better than hearing

"what the F&%& is that?? does anyone know what this is before i cut into it?? someone google this chit!!.... no??? what about wikipedia??"
or
"i don't see why we are bothering to do this ... this bastards dead anyway"...
or
"this tastes horrible... i told you not to put extra mustard on this but you never listen do you??"
or
"this SOB looks like the guy who was banging my first wife while i was away in med school.... pisses me off.. i loved that woman and some POS just like this one stole her away.... look in his wallet for a photo of his wife"....
or..
"watch how far is sprays when i poke this".....

*(i can do this all day... )

i would rather hear "scalpel" than hear that.....

[Shmu]

wayyy better than hearing

"what the F&%& is that?? does anyone know what this is before i cut into it?? someone google this chit!!.... no??? what about wikipedia??"
or
"i don't see why we are bothering to do this ... this bastards dead anyway"...
or
"this tastes horrible... i told you not to put extra mustard on this but you never listen do you??"
or
"this SOB looks like the guy who was banging my first wife while i was away in med school.... pisses me off.. i loved that woman and some POS just like this one stole her away.... look in his wallet for a photo of his wife"....
or..
"watch how far is sprays when i poke this".....

*(i can do this all day... )

i would rather hear "scalpel" than hear that.....

Hahaha, made my day!

[California Cajun]

Very interesting pics. The edge actually looks better than I expected. It looks very smooth and even, I can attest it cuts tissue very nicely, does not pass the HHT or even shave arm hair easily.

BP-as you can see is for Bard-Parker. i was taught in medical school, never to ask for the scalpel, sometimes the patient is awake and sedated during surgery and asking for the scalpel scares them. Anesthesiologists often see a spike in blood pressure and heart rate when patients hear the word scalpel-tehy know they are going to get cut. When you ask for the "Bard-Parker" they have no idea what you are asking for.

You're right about patients being conscious on some level during surgery. I was both sedated and awake and heard the people operating on me laughing and joking around, just like a page out of M*A*S*H.

[paco664]

that last damn photo........

there are some things you can't "unsee"........ i will have nightmares.....

[Kentos]

You should have BBS'd the operation site before hand!

[Doc226]

Admit it, they removed the third nipple.

[Legion]

Admit it, they removed the third nipple.

Parasitic twin.

[honed]

Scalpels are pretty much designed to do a couple of cuts in flesh & then be thrown away.
We've had a discussion about scalpel sharpness on other boards & the consensus seems to be that most scalpels are made with a pretty rough grind & then the edge of the edge is convexed & polished by "something" abrasive.
But they sure aren't passed a ~4K polish.

However, they do get shave-ready if you just strop them with some CrOx...
But the edge holding is really poor.

Shave was decent though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v5BQEs-Wv4&t=6m29s

[Doc226]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v5BQEs-Wv4&t=6m29s

Is there anything you have not shaved with?

[fccexpert]

There is nothing magical about surgical blades, they are just blades.

[Seraphim]

There is nothing magical about surgical blades, they are just blades.

So is a butter knife.

So is a katana.

It is interesting to see how they all compare to one another.

[paco664]

So is a butter knife.

So is a katana.

It is interesting to see how they all compare to one another.

i honed up my butter knife and now carry it as my CCW...

[Drybonz]

It is interesting to see how they all compare to one another.

Seraphim, have you done a thread with microscope shots of a DE blade? (I'm assuming you probably have and I just don't know about it... lol)

[jeness]

Scalpel blades aren't too sharp, for a reason. It is much more difficult to make small precise cuts with very sharp things in flesh and tissue. You can easily go too far, and make a cut too deep or too long. Edge holding isn't too important either, if it is dull, you get out a new one, they are so cheap. There are some applications where you use a scalpel blade for only one cut or two, for example smaller traumatologic surgery. Patient comes in with a small stab in his hand, you cut it open with one small incision, and you don't use that blade anymore.