Scalpels and Surgical Blades

A scalpel is a precision cutting tool for making clean, controlled cuts in specimens and tissue. Most labs use a reusable steel handle with detachable blades, and the blade number tells you which handle it fits: sizes 10 to 15 go on a No. 3 handle and sizes 20 to 25 on a No. 4.

We stock both handles and boxes of 100 blades for each. There are also sterile blades sold one at a time in peel pouches, and fully disposable scalpels with the blade already fixed in a plastic handle, in boxes of 10. The disposables suit dissection classes where you'd rather learners didn't fit and remove blades themselves.

A scalpel handle beside a box of replacement blades on a white laboratory tray

What are scalpels and blades?

A scalpel is a precision cutting tool used to make clean, controlled incisions in specimens and tissue. Reusable metal handles take a range of detachable blades, while fully disposable sterile scalpels combine the handle and blade into one single-use unit.

SmartLabs stocks reusable No. 3 and No. 4 handles, replacement blades in multiple shapes, and sterile disposable scalpels for schools, universities and clinical training settings.

Common uses of scalpels and blades in the lab

Where a sharp, controlled blade earns its place in specimen work.

  • A gloved hand using forceps to fit a new blade onto a scalpel handle over a steel tray

    Safe Blade Fitting

    Use forceps rather than fingers to fit or remove a blade, keeping hands well clear of the sharp edge.

  • A scalpel handle beside sterile packed surgical blades

    Reusable vs Disposable

    A metal handle with replaceable blades suits regular use, while a sealed disposable scalpel suits single-use, sterile work.

  • A scalpel cutting into a pinned earthworm on a dissecting board

    Specimen Dissection

    A fine, controlled blade opens the first incision cleanly before scissors and forceps take over the detailed work.

  • A gloved hand dropping a used scalpel blade into a red sharps disposal container

    Safe Disposal

    Used blades go straight into a sharps container, never loose in general waste.

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