As another reviewer stated, this uses a clamping mechanism to hold the sample instead of securing with wax. It may work very well for more rigid samples such as roots and stems, etc., but it would be useless for soft forb stems, leaves, and animal tissues. I had to return mine due to this problem. Best to stick with a traditional type.

I had to make major modifications. The section with treed was mis-ajusted. I had to open the microtome and increase inside the lengh of the bar that is in contact with the base section. Without that change, the microtome adjustment was impossible (it was out of range and slacking all the time ).

The system provided to hold a speciment was useless. I removed it and I use the screw to hold the peace of wood on wicth the wax is melted and in wich is the speciment that will be cut.

An other element that is questionnable is the rasor provided and that last only for few trial. Rasor blade may be an avenue as long as we increase there sharpeness.

Finally with these modification I feel it can provide some interesting cut to be seen under the microscope.

I recently bought a student/personal microscope and wanted to be able to prepare some simple items on the slides. I found this microtome to be to my liking. I am NOT a bio/lab/tech person, just learning a new skill as an old retired guy. I may not no how best to use it, there are YouTube videos by some folks, just search for "Hand MicroTome". However... the photo shown on Amazon has the MicroTome UPsideDOWN. the larger flat area is where you place the round glass-plates as a flat-surface for your razor-cut... and the retaining screw is not or holding the elevation, but to provide a basic clamp for the specimen. I will learn more as I progress. good luck with yours.

The microtome appears new but is difficult to use; it does not turn smoothly. It has some give so that I don't see how it can accurately slice a repeatable thickness. It came with a knife that looks like an antique. The blade is dull and the handle is worn. Unfortunately, it is now too late to return this.

Works as described. came well packaged.