Patent ID: 7066067

Claim:
A microtome comprising: a base frame ( 10 ) on which is provided a specimen holding device ( 32 ) for performing a vertical cutting movement, and a knife holding device ( 12 ) for a cutting element ( 24 ) which is formed by a cutting knife ( 26 ) or a cutting blade combined with a blade holder, wherein the knife holding device ( 12 ) has two discrete side plate portions ( 14 ) which are of identical configuration, which are fixed to the base frame ( 10 ), and which project forwardly from the lower end portion ( 16 ) of the base frame ( 10 ), each in a cantilever configuration, and prolong the base surface of the base frame ( 10 ) forwardly so that the two side plate portions ( 14 ) form for the base frame ( 10 ) an increase in the support surface on which the base frame stands, the microtome further comprising between the two side plate portions ( 14 ) means for receiving waste cuttings.