PRODUCTS-6: Diamond Knife for Ultra-Microtome / Diamantemesser, Cuchillo de Diamante, Coltello Diamantato, 다이아몬드 나이프, 钻石刀
Sym Knife® (All knives are 100% crafted in Japan)
First of all, it is very glad you found this page.
You have been using other brand of diamond knife for a while, we are supposed to say.
If you are not satisfied with current situation including commercial distribution, there is a possibility that we will be the alternative and also better supplier for you than the other ones.
If you use “Ultra-microtome” on your lab or factory for getting ultra-thin sections or getting beautiful cross-section surface, our diamond knives will be definitely a good partner for you.
Our diamond knives are called “Sym Knife”. We have Ultra, Histology, Cryo and Trim types.
All knives are made in Yokohama, Japan by skillful artisans.
Syntek has been producing various kind of diamond tools more than 44 years (since 1978).
We would say, we have some know-how and experience how to produce good diamond tools.
One of the greatest advantages is all our diamond knives, except dry type have been done hydrophilic treatment well from the beginning.
You do not have to do it by yourself. It is very convenient and stress-free, isn’t it?
Plus, we have 3 original diamond knives at this moment. They are MGH, JUMBO, and JUMBO WT.
Those ones are made by Syntek only. Nobody does it.
Those useful knives are based in our customers' demands from the beginning.
You say we make your ideas come true. You will produce your own knife with us!
This is our biggest difference as other knife manufactures.
If you have any requirements or ideas, please let us know. We will materialize your passion to be real.
The details of our diamond knives are as below.
Please take your time for getting some new information with Sym Knife.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | SYM2035 SYM2045 | Indigo blue | OK |
| Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3035 SYM3045 | Indigo blue | OK |
| Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | SYM4035 SYM4045 | Indigo blue | OK |
| Cryo / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | SYM2035W SYM2045W | Silver | OK |
| Cryo / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3035W SYM3045W | Silver | OK |
| Cryo / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | SYM4035W SYM4045W | Silver | OK |
| Cryo / Dry | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | SYM2035D SYM2045D | Silver | OK |
| Cryo / Dry | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3035D SYM3045D | Silver | OK |
| Cryo / Dry | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | SYM3035D SYM4045D | Silver | OK |
| Histo / Wet | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° / 50° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3045H SYM3050H | Ebony black | OK |
| Histo / Wet | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° / 50° | 6.0mm (6.0 to 6.2mm) | SYM6045H SYM6050H | Ebony black | OK |
| Histo / Dry with Cryo usage | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° / 50° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3045HD SYM3050HD | Silver | OK |
| Histo / Dry with Cryo usage | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° / 50° | 6.0mm (6.0 to 6.2mm) | SYM6045HD SYM6050HD | Silver | OK |
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*We prepare different colors to distinguish
Unique diamond knife Vol.1: "Cross-Trim"- For your all hard material sectioning
This knife is formerly known as “Trimming knife.” We tried to put our “special finishing method” on the diamond blade because stone is thick enough comparing other knives.
After we did this function, we realized this knife’s another potential.
This knife is suitable for making beautiful block surface, especially hard materials such as compounded polymers, metals, multi-layer products, and others.
That is the reason we name it “Cross-Trim.”
This knife is too good to use just for trimming. If you would like to trim your resin blocks only, we recommend you to choose other maker’s trimming knife.
If you have several difficult cutting material samples, this knife works effectively.
On the other hand, this one is no good for making sections.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| Trim: Cryo & Room Temp. | Trimming & cross-section | 45°/90° | 2.5mm | SYM2545TMC / SYM2590TMC | Silver | Re-sharpening only |
| Trim: Room Temp. only | Trimming & cross-section | 45°/90° | 2.5mm | SYM2545TM RT / SYM2590TM RT | Crimson | Re-sharpening only |
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Unique diamond knife Vol.2: "MGH"- One of your hands will be free
MGH is our strongly recommended knife for every ultra knife user.
It stands for "Multi Grid Holder" and nobody else makes this model as we explained as above.
This holder has 4 grooves (chases or ditches) on the surface.
There are places where you can set up to 4 grids at the same time.
Of course, experienced engineer uses this MGH, however we strongly recommend this model for beginners.
The main reason is this MGH releases your one hand free.
As you know you need to use both of your hands when you gather sectioned films into the grid, however it takes some time with skills.
If one of hands will be free, situation is going to be much easier than now.
No more stress for gathering samples. This is our target.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| MGH Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | MGH2035 MGH2045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| MGH Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | MGH3035 MGH3045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| MGH Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | MGH4035 MGH4045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
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*Very useful and less tiring boat
Unique diamond knife Vol.3: "SYM JUMBO" change plate's angle
We developed Jumbo knife for better using.
It is easier and more convenient for handling than your current using other maker's model, especially adjustable motion ours has.
Plus, it has several steps for arranging your glass plate's angle.
That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for microtome.
No more stress for your sectioning.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| Jumbo Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | SYM2035J SYM2045J | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3035J SYM3045J | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | SYM4035J SYM4045J | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo Histo / Wet | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° / 50° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3045HJ SYM3050HJ | Ebony black | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo Histo / Wet | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° 50° | 6.0mm (6.0 to 6.2mm) | SYM6045HJ SYM6050HJ | Ebony black | NG: Syntek knife only |
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*Feel the difference with other maker's JUMBO boat
Unique diamond knife Vol.4: "SYM JUMBO WT"- Patent No.70150077
This is a totally new and useful knife for array tomography.
As far as we know, array tomography takes long time and expense for making 3D data.
You may also this is costs money method, too.
If you understand it is normal way, it might be better to think outside the box. It means, throw away ready-made ideas.
Our developed knife, it is called Sym Knife JUMBO WT reduces both total time for adjusting sections and budget for purchasing knife itself.
1. Setting: You can use your own plate. No wasteful items and expenditure.
2. Operation: It is very easily to control the speed of draining water by yourself.
No more (stressful…) syringe! One of your hands will be free, at last.
Even if you are not expert for taking care of this kind of water treatment gadget, you can use it unquestionably from the beginning.
3. Cost: You can set it on your existing ultra-microtome.
You don’t have to buy any other new and optional equipment to start.
Just prepare Sym JUMBO WT. That’s it. We don’t want to see the users have a tough time adjusting.
Simple, easy, and understandable. That’s what we want to do with JUMBO WT.
It can increase your productivity and success rate of ribbons adjustment.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| Jumbo "WT" Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | SYM2035WT SYM2045WT | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo "WT" Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3035WT SYM3045WT | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo "WT" Ultra / Wet | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | SYM4035WT SYM4045WT | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo "WT" Histo / Wet | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° / 50° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | SYM3045HWT SYM3050HWT | Ebony black | NG: Syntek knife only |
| Jumbo "WT" Histo / Wet | 2μm to 0.2μm | 45° / 50° | 6.0mm (6.0 to 6.2mm) | SYM6045HWT SYM6050HWT | Ebony black | NG: Syntek knife only |
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*Getting your serial sections as many as you want
Unique diamond knife Vol.5: "SYM Noventa / 90"- Get the vertical wall in a boat
Have you ever thought or tried to put a glass plate from the left side of the boat before?
If you have it, how was the result? If your boat has radius inside, you might have not put the plate into deep.
Even if you tried this method with our JUMBO or JUMBO WT, you might have not done it well by steps.
How do we solve this failure with irritation? That was the question for a couple of years.
If the boat doesn’t have anything under the blade part, you could put any plate into the boat deeply. That’s why we produce this new knife “Noventa / 90.”
If you set this Noventa(*see the below item) on our Cuesta, you will get a synergy effect for sure.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| SYM Noventa / 90 | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | NV2035 / NV2045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| SYM Noventa / 90 | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | NV3035 / NV3045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| SYM Noventa / 90 | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | NV4035 / NV4045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
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Unique diamond knife Vol.6: "SYM Quadra / Tres" - Put 3-inch wafer into a boat
Some people have been wanting to put 3-inch silicon wafer into the knife’s boat for a while.
We knew it; however, we needed some time to consider the best shape combined with ease to use.
Finally, we created the new model just for 3-inch wafer.
This boat is square shaped and it has a water removal function.
You can arrange 3 different angles of wafer setting position.
You will definitely get 800+ sections on the silicon wafer at the same time easily.
It is available to be set on the knife stage same as other normal knives.
You don’t have to prepare any small parts. Once you get this Quadra/Tres, you could start sectioning immediately.
Even if you don’t have high-skill for sectioning, you can do it with this knife.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| SYM Quadra / Tres | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 2.0mm (2.0 to 2.2mm) | QT2035 / QT2045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| SYM Quadra / Tres | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 3.0mm (3.0 to 3.2mm) | QT3035 / QT3045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
| SYM Quadra / Tres | 200nm to 30nm | 35° / 45° | 4.0mm (4.0 to 4.2mm) | QT4035 / QT4045 | Azure | NG: Syntek knife only |
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Unique diamond knife Vol.7: "SYM Metalica" - Tungsten Carbide Knife
This is not made of diamond, made by Tungsten Carbide(WC).
We put a special treatment on the edge and we improved sharpness much better than existing similar knives.
We would like you to use this knife for cross-sectioning mainly, but the normal section is OK, too.
We guess you mind cutting hard material samples with your diamond knives. We understand your feelings very well. That is a main reason to develop this item as an alternative to diamond.
Even if you would like to cut a large sample, this is big enough to do, because of this wide range of width; up to 30mm.
You do cut single metals like steels. Semi-thin sectioning is also available with embedded resin blocks.
Of course, you can use this WC knife for trimming of your resin blocks, but that is too-good way of usage.
Why don’t you get this knife’s potential as much as you can?.
Usage |
Range |
Angle |
Width |
Model |
Body's color |
Exchange from others |
| SYM Metalica | Various but no ultrathin section | 45° | 10.0mm | WC 100 | Metallic silver | NG; Re-sharpening only |
| SYM Metalica | Various but no ultrathin section | 45° | 20.0mm | WC 200 | Metallic silver | NG; Re-sharpening only |
| SYM Metalica | Various but no ultrathin section | 45° | 30.0mm | WC 300 | Metallic silver | NG; Re-sharpening only |
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Unique supported product Vol.1: "GHP"- Patent Pending right now
We modified above MGH a little bit after we have got many feedback by its users.
Sometimes MGH is difficult to collect section(s) on the grid because you need to induce until the grid holder by yourself.
If you use this GHP, by the way GHP stands for Grid Holding Plate, no longer induce actions, because you will catch section(s) from the front side.
Once you set your grid on this plate, you just wait for section(s) to come to the grid. That’s it.
Section(s) is(are) jumped on your grid almost automatically. You don’t have to do any specific actions.
It works both 1 or 2 big section(s) and ribbons. Such a marvelous gadget it is!
You will get your section(s) by scoop method in this way. It means you can avoid wrinkles and breaks of your section(s) at the same time.
You would say this is the incoming item of MGH.
Name |
Usage |
Angle |
Size |
Model |
Color |
Remarks |
| Grid Holding Plate (GHP) | With SYM JUMBO or JUMBO WT | None | Just fit on our JUMBO boat | GHP 01A | Azure & Silver | No good for block face, sectioning only |
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*What a stress free item it is!
Unique supported product Vol.2: "SYM Cuesta" for getting sections easily
Once you go up the hill, what kind of scenery is waiting for you?
Every slope always has a different story and view. Those things motivate us every time.
“Cesta” means “slope or hill” in English as you might know.
We named it for our new gadget that Cuesta brings you totally new usage you’ve never had.
Once you use this Cuesta with our Noventa, JUMBO or JUMBO WT, you could get sections much easier than doing manually.
Cuesta is available to arrange your plate’s(wafer’s)angle with 3 different axes X, Y and Z rotatably when you put the plate into a boat.
After you made sections, you could get them2 different ways such as obliquely upward or vertically.
Every axis moves very quietly and the water surface doesn’t sway. It means you could avoid sections falling apart.
You don’t drain water from a boat in this method. This way is opposite to our JUMBO WT, however some people (maybe you too?) prefer to get sections staying water in a boat.
Name |
Usage |
Angle |
Size |
Model |
Color |
Remarks |
| SYM Cuesta | Set on Noventa, JUMBO or JUMBO WT | Changeable | Just fit on the knife stage | CST 710 | Ebony black | Get sections 2 different ways |
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Unique supported product Vol.3: "Marking Needle" for serial sections
When you get many sections at the same time like array tomography, sometimes it is difficult to collect sections in the order.
Especially once ribbons are broken by accident sections are separated into many different directions.
You probably recover the order A to Z on your computer, however if those sections have a tiny spot(mark), your serialization task will be easier and faster than nothing.
This marking knife makes the above actions true.
Name |
Usage |
Angle |
Size |
Model |
Color |
Remarks |
| Marking Needle | For all kinds of resin blocks | 30° (Wedge shape) | Needle width:1.0mm | SYM NT1 | Silver | Re-sharpening is available |
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*Don’t get lost anymore. Just go straight ahead.
Unique supported product Vol.4: "Karate Groover" cut your plate on your size
How do you cut your glass plate, sapphire plate or silicon wafer at this moment?
Do you have any special cutters? Or do you cut them by hand?
In the latter case, cutting sizes are not always the same, are they?
Sometimes they are OK, but the other time each piece has a different size.
If you don’t mind small differences, you don’t need this equipment, either.
If you would like to get the same sizes at a time, this Karate Groover hits the right nail.
Name |
Usage |
Angle |
Size |
Model |
Color |
Remarks |
| KARATE Groover | For silicon wafer, glass or sapphire plate | None | Body:210mm x 210mm Wheel:φ3.0mm | OPT NH1 | Silver | Re-sharpening is available |
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*If you are a black belt holder, you may cut plates whatever you want by your karate-chop.
Cleaning method: "How to clean up on the diamond edge?"
Some people clean up the diamond every time after usage, but some others don't.
How often you should do it? We say it is better to do it every time than sometimes.
What is the specific reason!? If you question the wisdom of that way, see the video as below.
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TEM・SEM Observation photo collection: All samples are cut by SYM Knife
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| Cross-section: Glass-fiber | Mouse: taste bud |
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| Cross-section: Color contact lense | Mouse: Testicle |
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| Cross-section: Copper cylinder surface | Mouse: Cardiac Muscle |
Our official partners: "They will support you a lot!"
We have an official agents in Korea, Hong Kong(+ China), Poland, Germany, Spain India and Taiwan.
If you live in those countries and also are interested in our diamond knives, can you ask them first?
Bits of knowledge for superstitions
Some people are believing, or they are believed, diamonds of all diamond knives are made by natural stone.
Basically, we don’t want to say things that will shatter their dream.
On the other hand, we also have a duty to tell the truth to all users.
If you are told “Our diamond is natural” by your provider and your knife width is 3.0mm or more, you would better to doubt about that information.
We do not say the stone is synthetic (artificial / man-made), but if you create wider knives(means more than 3.0mm), the raw stones may cost more than your purchasing price.
Or that maker selected very low-grade raw stones.
It is possible to produce natural diamond knives from Syntek, however it will be 2.0mm or less if you considering the current market price.
Our raw stones are selected top or second top quality grades.
That might be one of the reasons, nevertheless you should be careful.
Please see the details are as below.