Scalpel Blades For Dissection

Quick Answer: Scalpel blades are thin, replaceable steel cutting blades that clip onto a matching scalpel handle. They are used for dissection, specimen preparation and incision practice in biology, nursing and medical teaching labs.

Blade Numbers and Matching Handles

Detachable scalpel blades are identified by number, and the number describes the shape. A No. 10 has a large curved belly for long cuts; a No. 11 is a pointed triangle for stab cuts and fine work into corners; a No. 12 is a small hook; a No. 15 is a small curved blade for short, precise cuts. These smaller numbers fit the slot of a No. 3 handle, while the larger No. 20 to 25 blades fit a No. 4 handle.

This listing does not state which blade numbers or pack size are supplied, so name the numbers you need. For school dissection of flowers and preserved specimens, No. 10, 11 and 15 blades on a No. 3 handle cover most tasks. Students can use them on reusable steel handles or on disposable plastic scalpel handles.

Blades are commonly supplied in individual foil wraps. They are made of carbon steel, which takes a keen edge but rusts if left wet, or stainless steel, which resists corrosion; check which material you are ordering if blades will stay in storage for long.

Specifications

Item	Detachable scalpel blades
Common patterns	No. 10, 11, 12, 15 (No. 3 handle); No. 20 to 25 (No. 4 handle)
Material	Carbon or stainless steel, depending on the blade line
Handle required	Separate scalpel handle with matching fitting
Blade numbers and pack size	Confirm at enquiry

Care & Handling

Fit and remove scalpel blades with a needle holder or artery forceps, never with fingers; slide the blade along the handle’s groove until it clicks.
Put used blades straight into a rigid sharps container, not a waste bin.
Keep unopened blades dry; carbon steel blades rust quickly once the wrapper is damaged.
Replace a blade once it needs extra pressure to cut; a dull blade slips more easily.

Applications

Opening preserved specimens along a planned incision line in zoology practicals
Cutting longitudinal sections of flowers, fruits and seeds
Trimming tissue pieces and specimen blocks to size before sectioning
Incision practice on skin pads in nursing and medical skills labs

Why Choose LabEquip

Blades are a consumable, so schools and colleges usually reorder them each term together with a set of reusable stainless steel scalpel handles. LabEquip supplies both through the Biology Lab Products range; list the blade numbers and quantity on the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which handle fits a No. 10, 11 or 15 blade?

A No. 3 handle. Its narrower fitting takes blades No. 10 to 15, while a No. 4 handle takes the larger blades No. 20 to 25. The two fittings are not interchangeable.

Which blade numbers suit school dissection?

A No. 10 blade on a No. 3 handle suits most opening cuts, and a No. 11 is useful for fine, pointed work and cutting into corners. A No. 15 helps with small specimens.

How do I remove a scalpel blade safely?

Hold the base of the blade with a needle holder or artery forceps, lift its heel slightly off the handle and slide it forward along the groove. A single-handed blade remover makes this safer still.

Can scalpel blades be resharpened or reused?

They are designed to be discarded when blunt. Resharpening a thin blade is impractical and leaves an uneven edge.

Should I choose carbon steel or stainless steel blades?

Carbon steel blades take a very keen edge but rust easily. Stainless blades resist corrosion in storage and in wet work. Either works for teaching dissection.

How should used blades be disposed of?

Place them in a puncture-resistant sharps container immediately after removal. When full, seal it and dispose of it through the institution’s sharps waste route.

Last Updated: September 2026