Best medical scalpel blades according to redditors

Not OP, but I do a lot of precise cutting, and I'll say that picking up a swann morton scalpel and blades will give you very clean cuts with regularly replacing the blades (which is easy enough with the blades being so cheap).

Handle and Blades

The three things I can't live without:
[Chisel-tip Gundam Marker] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gundam-Marker-GM10-Black-GUNPLA/dp/B006B44EME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421527040&sr=8-1&keywords=GM10+marker)
[Swann-Morton Size 3 Scalpel] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Morton-scalpel-handle-No-10a-blades/dp/B004OIAVJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421527127&sr=8-1&keywords=swann+morton+scalpel)
[Pigma Micron Pen] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pigma-Micron-Pen-005-0-2mm-Black/dp/B001CRI6O2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421527155&sr=8-1&keywords=micron+005+pen)
I use the gundam marker to paint the edges of bases, the scalpel as my hobby knife, and the micron pen for purity seals etc.

Well, let me help you with the tools.

This is what I have it has served me well for the past 7months of this hobby.

This is all you should need for the starting of the models.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revell-39604-Contacta-Professional-Glue/dp/B000KJPUL0/ref=sr_1_cc_6?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1421508285&sr=1-6-catcorr&keywords=humbrol+model

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revell-39604-Contacta-Professional-Glue/dp/B000KJPUL0/ref=sr_1_cc_6?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1421508285&sr=1-6-catcorr&keywords=humbrol+model

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Humbrol-No-00-Triangle-Handle-Detail/dp/B0089W1LQS/ref=pd_sim_k_h_b_cs_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PVXTVM1HZWBV99J5A22

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001MTHQ0U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004OIAVJY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00649ON36?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sandpaper-Waterproof-Highest-Quality-STARCKE/dp/B009QZEQKK/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1421508669&sr=8-16&keywords=sandpaper+sheet

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modelcraft-9-Piece-Plastic-Modelling-Tool/dp/B001TH8LAY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1421508555&sr=8-4&keywords=model+file - this has a tiny cutting map and some other crap, but the cutters and the file are amazing IMO

Above is all the basic stuff you need for this hobby, I might of missed something, but don't think so.



Get the models and paints from https://www.darksphere.co.uk/pgc.php?c=1106 as it could literally mean for example, in my case, I can buy 3 manticores(the thing with a load of rockets) for the price of 2 manticores from the offical site or shop of gamesworkshop.

Everything is about 30% cheaper than offical places but literally the same stuff.

Also, look on ebay daily as they have some great deals sometimes, also would really pay to get some cheap shitty model and practice on it, rather than getting some nice and new model and using it as practice.

Hope this helps:)

Post #2:

Preparation:

getting the supplies

Agar agar powder. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Telephone-Product-Thailand-Powder-Ounce/dp/B01KMHY2OU/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Special-Ingredients-Premium-Gelatine-European/dp/B00EZMPMNE)

Always start with agar! And don't throw old fully colonized plates out. Some contaminants (e.g. mycogone, AKA wet bubble disease will only show up after full colonization (white blobs oozing yellow/orange fluid). and that one (mycogone) will fck up your grow hard, been there done that...

Light malt extract. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Light-Dried-Malt-Extract/dp/B007XYGBXQ/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balliihoo-Light-Spraymalt-1Kg-Bag/dp/B0153BASSY/)

Containers for no pour agar (Pasty Plates). [US](https://www.amazon.com/Glad-Food-Storage-Containers-Round/dp/B000WGBMMM/) [Europe](https://www.flaschenbauer.de/einmachglaeser/sturzglaeser/sturzglas-225-ml-to-82) (maybe use Google translate on that site). Also if you are in North America there are Glad mini rounds, they are used in the original Pasty Plate tek. They also have [430ml jars](https://www.flaschenbauer.de/einmachglaeser/sturzglaeser/sturzglas-430-ml-to-82) suitable as substrate containers

A pressure cooker. Good ones are a b**ch to find in Europe. I wouldn't buy [that one](https://www.ebay.de/itm/Pressure-cooker-17L-Stainless-steel-Made-In-Turkey-Largest-Size/133128864948) or similar constructed ones, they are complete s**t, build up next to no pressure and need ungodly amounts of water. I have two of them, but had to do some haphazard MacGyveresqe hacking to get them to sterilize properly, I'll bring that up later.

I also have a Fagor Alu 22 (22 liters, fits eleven quart bottles), but I think that model went out of production in 2017 without a replacement. IMHO the only sane option in Europe right now, would be to order a Presto from the US, they're ~80€ + 40€ shipping, so not that bad. [Presto 23 quart PC](https://www.amazon.com/Presto-Aluminum-23-Quart-Pressure-Canner/dp/B073NCFL2L/)

Also on US websites like shroomery, you'll always read something like "sterilize 90min @ 15 psi". Pressure cookers in Europe usually have no gauges and only go to 50-70 kPa (~7-10 psi). It isn't as bad as it sounds, since sterilization time isn't linear with pressure/temperature. I've found I can get away with 120 min sterilization time for grains, 75 min for PF sub and 30 min for agar.

Scalpel handle and blades. [US](https://www.amazon.com/100-Scalpel-Blades-One-Handle/dp/B01MPX3JTI/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Swann-Morton-Handle-5-10-Blades/dp/B004OIAVJY/)

(optional) inoculation loop. [US](https://www.amazon.com/OESS-Reusable-Inoculating-Inoculation-Bacterial/dp/B071DCS7TW) [Europe1](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Akozon-Inoculation-Inoculating-Microbiology-Laboratory/dp/B07KM7F8VH) [Europe2](https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcingmap%C2%AE-Inoculating-Microbiology-Tissue-Culture/dp/B071X44DS4/)

Tyvek (for filtered lids). [US](https://www.amazon.com/Dupont-Tyvek-105gm-A5-Sheets/dp/B07418F31G/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tyvek-75gm-Bumper-pack-sheets/dp/B004EXTKSW/)

(optional) oster blender attachments used for PF slurry or LI. [China](https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Head-Ice-Crushing-Crusher-Blade-Replacement-Part-For-Oster-Osterizer-Blender/182451440105)

3M Micropore tape (for filtered lids and monotub holes). [US](https://www.amazon.com/3M-1530-1-Micropore-Tape-Pack/dp/B0082A9FEM/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Micropore-Surgical-First-Medical/dp/B01KYK2666/)

A spray bottle for soapy water. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Tolco-Bottle-Frosted-Assorted-Colors/dp/B000H88PCU/) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leifheit-72416-Laundry-Sprayer/dp/B0049PB11Y/)

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), 70%. [US](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Isopropyl-Antiseptic-Technical/dp/B07NFSFBXQ/) (dilute down to 70%, that percentage is best for sanitization [EU](https://www.amazon.co.uk/We-Can-Source-Ltd-Fingerprints/dp/B07PGB5X6Y/)

A rack to elevate your agar dishes while you do transfers, like these that come with microwave ovens (contaminants tend to collect on the SABs bottom).

A slightly wet towel to put the SAB on. Some people disagree on this, I use the towel to absorb the sprayed soap/water mix and not having that run off the table.

A clear box that's modified as a SAB. I use this one as a SAB, maybe they ship outside Germany. Anyway the manufacturer is kis.it (builds the monotub too), so I think they might be available elsewhere in Europe: https://www.obi.de/aufbewahrungsboxen/obi-allzweckbox-santos-transparent-oversize-140-l/p/3333341?template=PDP&box=box4

More clear boxes used to fruit bottles (basically a monotub, just with individual substrate containers). I use these as unmodded monos (no holes, no flipped lid, lids not latched): https://www.obi.de/aufbewahrungsboxen/obi-allzweckbox-cadiz-l-mit-4-rollen-transparent/p/1930387.

Butane torch [US](https://www.amazon.com/Multipurpose-MDee-Culinary-Refillable-Adjustable/dp/B07MNN2B43) [Europe](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kollea-Adjustable-Refillable-Blowtorch-Soldering/dp/B07QC1T6H5)

Bottles (can be wide mouth pint mason jars (US), quart Ziplock PP5 containers (US) or [these (which I use)](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Round-Food-Containers-Plastic-Clear-Storage-Tubs-with-Lids-Deli-Pots-2oz-to-32oz/232308091965)

Blades are trivially available to me. If I was going to self harm I'd use a sewing needle. If I was going to self harm by cutting I'd use a Swann Morton #10 scalpel blade with a nickle silver number 3 handle.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004OIAVJY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1395594465&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

Currently I self harm with chemical burning, thus nothing to worry about for this sub.