Testing the Sharpness of the Sickle Scaler Blade
TERMINAL SHANK
CUTTING EDGE
Sharpening of the Universal Curette
FACE
TEST STICK POSITION To test the cutting edge, grasp the bottom third of the test stick in your non- dominant hand between your thumb and index finger. Hold the test stick upright at 12 o’clock. INSTRUMENT POSITION FOR RIGHT-HANDERS In your dominant hand, hold the instrument with a modified pen grasp. Position the instrument handle behind the test stick with the tip of the blade pointed toward you. Place the cutting edge to be tested against the left side of the test stick and fulcrum on the right side of the test stick. Tilt the terminal shank slightly toward 3 minutes after 12 o’clock using the same angle that is used for scaling. INSTRUMENT POSITION FOR LEFT-HANDERS In your dominant hand, hold the instrument with a modified pen grasp. Position the instrument handle behind the test stick with the tip of the blade pointed toward you. Place the cutting edge to be tested against the right side of the test stick and fulcrum on the left side of the test stick. Tilt the terminal shank slightly toward 3 minutes before 12 o’clock using the same angle that is used for scaling. TESTING THE CUTTING EDGE Press the cutting edge laterally into the test stick and release. Test the entire length of the blade. A sharp edge will bite into or grab the test stick but will not slide over the surface of the test stick. When a sharp cutting edge is released from the test stick, it produces a metallic sound. If the cutting edge slides over the side of the test stick it may indicate the blade is still dull, or the terminal shank is not positioned correctly. Vertical shaving motions against the test stick will dull the cutting edge. TESTING THE OPPOSITE CUTTING EDGE To test the opposite cutting edge rotate the tip away from you positioning the instrument handle in front of the test stick and repeat the same process as described above. Be sure to test the entire length of the blade.
TOE
BACK
LATERAL SURFACE
TERMINAL SHANK
CUTTING EDGE
Instrument Position for Right Handers
TERMINAL SHANK
R
°
FACE
TOE
The Universal Curette blade has two parallel cutting edges that meet at a rounded toe. The cutting edges of the curette are formed at the junction of the lateral surfaces with the facial surface. The facial surface of the blade is LATERAL SURFACE
positioned to form a 90° angle with the terminal shank. This is important to note because it affects the positioning of the stone and instrument while sharpening. BACK BLADE
FACIAL SURFACE
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
TERMINAL SHANK
CUTTING EDGE
TERMINAL SHANK
FACE
°
TOE
Instrument Position for Left Handers
L
BLADE
ROUNDED UNDER SURFACE
BACK
LATERAL SURFACE
FACIAL SURFACE
CUTTING EDGE
CUTTING EDGE
TERMINAL SHANK
°
11 IT’S ABOUT TIME
12 A CLASSIC APPROACH TO SHARPENING SCALERS & CURETTES
BLADE
ROUNDED UNDER SURFACE
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