Scalpels & scalpel holders

Scalpel holders and scalpel handles for foot care and podiatry – in the two common sizes No. 3 and No. 4, from the budget stainless steel handle to RUCK and Aesculap. Plus skin knives with a fixed blade made in Solingen. All handles are rustproof, sterilisable and designed for disposable blades with a standard fitting.

Learn more: handle No. 3 or No. 4, holder or skin knife, changing blades and reprocessing

Handle No. 3 or No. 4?

Handle No. 3 – narrow blade fitting for the small blades Fig. 10 to 15. The standard instrument for the nail fold, corns (clavi) and fine areas of callus. In most practices, the most frequently used scalpel.
Handle No. 4 – wide fitting for the large blades Fig. 18 to 25. For removing callus over larger areas on the heel and ball of the foot, when the small blade would have to be applied too often.

The two systems are not compatible: a No. 10 blade does not fit on a No. 4 handle. If you use both handles, store the blade packs separately.

Scalpel holder or skin knife?

A scalpel holder works with disposable blades – after every treatment, a fresh, sterile blade goes on the handle. This is the simplest route in terms of hygiene and the standard in podiatric practice. A skin knife has a fixed blade of Solingen steel, is resharpened instead of replaced and sits more steadily in the hand thanks to its larger handle. It suits users who cut less often and do not want to keep a stock of blades.

Which handle for which practice?

Stainless steel handle – slim, light, inexpensive. For a second handle, mobile foot care and practices that reprocess several handles in parallel.
Flat holder – wider handle, more contact surface for the fingers, less tiring during long treatments.
RUCK and Aesculap – handles with consistent dimensions and a very firm blade fitting, designed for many reprocessing cycles in the autoclave.

Changing blades without injury

Never fit or remove the blade with your fingers. Grip it with a clamp or blade remover, slide it into the guide until it clicks into place and, after the treatment, guide it in the same movement into the puncture-proof sharps container. A blunt blade tempts you to press – and pressure, not the sharp blade, is the most common cause of injury.

Reprocessing

Scalpel holders are medical devices intended for reuse: after treatment, place them in the disinfectant solution without the blade, clean, rinse, dry completely and only then sterilise. The blade fitting is where residues are most likely to dry on – it deserves a second look. Classification, procedures and validation are the responsibility of your practice.