I have become a recent “convert” to using a scalpel blade and holder in my modeling…the blades seem to cut truer and I seem to have better control; maybe it is psychological. The question I have is obtaining different size blades. I have the Squadron Tools scalpel holder and several packages fo what I presume are #11 blades, but Squadron does not seem to have any of the other size blades. I have tried our local unversity bookstore and its affiliated Med School bookstore, but they do not carry blades lower (?) than size 12, and even then it is a very limited catalog. Also I would like to know if the Squadron scalpel holder is compatable with Swan and Morten blades. My local four hobby stores do not carry blades or holders, other than the forementioned Squadron. Does any one know of a hobby store that will do mail order and carries these items. I know there is model expo and the ilk, but I prefer to support a real store; although if I must go internet I will…just prefer to support a shop! Thanks in advane for anyone who can help!
You can google scapel blades. Here’s a link i found for you.
http://www.sciencekit.com/category.asp?c=427692&sid=google&cm_mmc=google-_-cpc-_-skit-_-scalpelblade
Heres another
http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/preparation/blades.aspx
it’s all in your head and the capitalist swine are using your confusion to fleece you. you don’t need all these fancy “scalpels”. here’s what i use and i do just fine:
[%-)][:D]Now thats funny.
this is where i get mine.hard to beat for price http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Scalpels-and-Blades_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm
A word of caution on using the scalpel blades instead of regular X-acto size blades. The scalpel blades are very thin and don’t take pressure well. I’ve broken a few lately cutting out PE from the fret. The blade has gone flying across my worktable. I now wear gloves and protective eye gear when cutting with the scalpels (No. 10 size) and won’t go back to them when my supply runs out!
Steve
Sorry to take so long to reply, I am in retail and have been held captive by screaming hordes of shoppers following our Premier Bush’s admonition to shop to you drop and support our economy and democracy throughout…oh well you get the picture. Thanks for your replies and informing me about the resources. Hey goat monkey, where did you buy my old model tool? I have been missing it and it sure helped making aftermarket resin parts fit!
Amazing tool, scalpel and tweezers all in one. I wonder if it can also bend PE? [8-]
Good ole Micro-Mark has what you need and at a decent price. That’s where I got mine, plus some specialty blades. They also have some super tiny scalpel blades & handles as used by surgeons for micro-surgery.
I got a good laugh out of that one!!! thanks for the humor!
I purchased my scalpel handles and blades from Hobbys in London (www.hobby.uk.com) when I discovered that their original Swann-Morton (the top name in the field) scalpels and blades were actually cheaper than Micro-Mark’s Pakistani-made copies. Always look for ‘non-sterile’ blades and avoid ‘sterile’ blades from surgical suppliers, which are much more expensive. Swann-Morton also make a retractable scalpel which is much safer when you’re hunting around your toolbox.
The only part of using scalpels that worries me is fitting and removing the blades from the handle - I recommend the use of pliers at all times.
On the subject of breaking blades, in my experience the Exacto style No.11 blade is far more prone to snapping under pressure than these surgical blades whose shape lends greater strength to the point (I can’t comment on Micro-Mark’s cheapies). I haven’t snapped an S/M blade yet but I’ve snapped the point off every Exacto-style No.11 I’ve ever used!
Michael
If you go to E-Bay Get on the home page, click e-bay stores type in Freedom Enterprises At first you will see a lot of music equipment your on the right place scroll down and he has all kinds of scalpals and scalpal blades he sells 40 blades for $9.25 + $1.50 shipping Hope this helps
I used to have a ton of disposable ones that the doctors gave me when I was hospitolized for a while. Plus side to 2 weeks in the hospitol, lots of time to work on modles, and the the nurses and doctors hook you up with some useful stuff.
I would assume any medical supply store might carry a nice variety of them…
Comments on this link and the picture that follows…
http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/preparation/blades.aspx
I found the #15 blade which is the sixth one from the left to be the best one for my modeling. The small curved blade has many benefits over the #11 triangle shaped blade which is next to last.
The idea of modeling with out #15 blades honestly makes me break out in a cold sweat, I’ve come to rely on them that much. Once shaved small paint run (gloss coat) off of a model with a #15 blade and didn’t screw up the finish. Model placed in the IPMS Nationals. This made a True Believer out of me about Scapel Blades.
The curved #15 blade works great for cutting PE. You will something like piece of smooth glass as backing surface. Place the blade with the edge on the glass the PE fret wedged just under and behind the blade. In smooth motion rock the blade back with firm pressure.
The triangle blades do tend to break cutting PE but are great for lots of other stuff.
The #10 blades are good for much of the stuff the #15’s are good for. Also if you have to visit your doctor, sometimes you can ask for a few blades. Most are happy to provide you with a couple if you explain the purpose.
Is that a #11 rock?
I lucked out about 12 years ago when the Army decided that Medics didn’t need to be carrying scapels in their kits (don’t want our soldiers carrying anything which might cause them to injure someone!) and instructed them to dispose of their existing stocks rather than turn them in. The guy in charge of our medical section knew I used Exacto knives in my modeling and asked me if I wanted what they were getting rid of - ended up with 1/2 doz handles and 30 boxes of blades (100 blades to the box, about 20 boxes of #11 and 10 boxes of #15)
As to where to get scapels and scapel blades, I just received the flyer for Model Expos spring sale and they list two different makes of scapels and blades (Swann-Morton and a generic brand). Be prepared for some sticker shock.
Hi,
I consider myself something of an expert on scaples having used them for work every day for the last 19 years.
Firstly, I have to say that I have about a dozen knocking about in various tool boxes - I have lost many over the years, but I still have one of my first two (marked with Yellow reflective tape) so I can say with some certainty that the handles last a lifetime and are worth the investment.
When I’m working, I always have two marked with different coloured tape, one with a sharp blade, one with a dull blade. You’ll be suprised how little you need the very sharp poined blade, and a scaple with the first 1mm snapped off can still cut and last you a long time.
When modeling I often have as many as 5 different knives in front of me, as now Swann~Morton make copies of the Xacto range of knives. This is a god-send because as already pointed out, scalpels were designed for cutting open people, not lumps of brass and they do tend to snap! So I always have a couple of knives at hand with sturdier blades for chopping (I like the small square chisel blades for etched brass, my razor blades also see a lot of action).
Anything other than Swann~Morton is false ecconomy! Thier blades are finest Shefield stainless steel, not only can you actually shave with these blades, they hold the edge far longer than any other blade. The plastic handles are a waste of time, never buy them, they will break. The retractable handles are really handy if you want to pocket your knife (Which I frequently do at work) but the locking mechanism will wear out with use, and if you drop them, the arm that holds the blade can bend or break, they rarely last me more than a year. Round handles and long handles are okay, but in my opinion you can’t beat a No.3.
As for blades, for some reason they insist on trying to sell you the No.11, in my opinion this blade is too long and thin… using any kind of pressure will make it flex and quite possibly twist which causes loss of accuracy, they are also the easiest to break.
Instead I always buy a box of No.10A – NOT the No.10 which is the curved blade, but the 10A which is like a No.11 but shorter and fatter. This blade will do anything an 11 will do, but do it better.
I have an account with a Swann-Morton distributor and buy blades in boxes of 100, which costs me about £10+vat last time I bought one for home… the price may have gone up since then because it was about 4 years ago and I still have at least 30 blades left.
I would not recommend that you use pliers to remove the blades… it’s doing this sort of thing that will get you into trouble because you are using brute force. Instead, just lift the bottom of the blade with your left hand, and then gripping the top/back of the blade, gently pull with your thumb and forefinger. New handles can be a little stiff, but you should still be able to do it without too much trouble.
Another thing you should do is get a coffee jar, cut a slot in the top like a piggy-bank and use this for disposing of your old blades.
Hmm, I haven’t tried real scalpels, might have to give them a shot.
Another alternative is a knife sold by a game store/manf called Games Workshop.
It’s a metal handle with retractable blade. The blades seem a bit more sturdy than the generic #11’s I currently use. The edge is rather long, but not all of it needs to be exposed. On of the things I like best is the very tip is not pointed. They are rounded, so it makes scribing with it much easier and they don’t seem to “catch” on the point.
The big drawback is they are not cheap. Replacement blades are $9US for 5 blades!
Subby
You might want to try hospital supply businesses. Explain to them that you need the blades for biology class for cutting up specimens. or if you live in the states you might want to try gun and knife shows. They usually have military hospital equipment there such as hemostats. Just an idea.
Regards,
M1918A2Gunner
I got mine (Swan and Moreton) from a Medical supply place. I just turned up and said I needed them for hobby work. That was back in the late 80’s though… 
I still have blades left but have lost the handle - I’m just getting back to modelling after a 15+ year hiatus…
If I can’t find my handle I’ll have to buy another.
One thing though about the scalpels - the blade is not held as firmly as hobby knifes with a scalpel handle, and the blades can rotate more (eg, pressing down hard on the blade and the blade edge can move side to side). They are designed for cutting “meat”, not plastic, and not meant for the same pressure.
I did injure myself with one once though 15 years back - but not modelling. I was actually using it to bone a chicken. I stuck the point into the joint on my right middle finger and severed the digital nerve. To this day that 3mm scar is the source of agony to me if anything touches it… Sigh.