The invention relates to a microtome having a blade oscillating transverse to the direction of advancing the cut, for sections on soft tissue samples. The oscillation frequency of the blade is controlled variably by the rotational speed of an electric motor. At the same time, the oscillation amplitude of the blade is also adjustable variably with the aid of an adjustable eccentric or a displacement device. This makes individual adjustment to the consistency of the tissue sample possible, which leads to improved quality of the microtome sections, in particular to a reduction in the waviness of the sections. This makes significantly thinner microtome sections possible, with corresponding advantages during microscopy.