I get inexpensive pruning shears (usually have straight blade). Sterilizing with heat eventually degrades the blade, but if I replace a $10 clipper every 6 months or so, the expense won't change my life... I sterilize with a propane torch flame - no need to get the blade red-hot, just make sure any clinging plant material is thoroughly charred. The flame is well over 3000 deg F., so nothing organic is going to survive more than a few seconds of that. I usually leave leaves alone - they'll drop when the plant is done with them. I usually also leave spent spikes until they are brown since the plant will "recycle" the green tissue after the flowers have dropped. In general, if there is a "cut/don't cut" decision to be made, I tend to come down on the "don't cut" side. Some orchids rebloom on old spikes or canes, sometimes a stem will look dead, only to turn out to be green after it has been cut. So in general, it's better to let the orchid decide when it is done with some "part".
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