Knives and Handles

Surgical Knives & Handles: Scalpel Handles, Skin Graft & Nasal Knives

Surgical knives and handles are the cutting instruments used to make incisions, harvest skin grafts, and shape cartilage. Most incisions use a reusable scalpel handle fitted with a disposable blade, while specialised knives — skin grafting knives such as the Humby, and named nasal knives such as Cottle and Joseph patterns — have fixed or adjustable blades built for one specific task. NJ Medical Instruments manufactures the full range in surgical-grade stainless steel, supplied worldwide direct from the factory for individual purchase and for bulk, wholesale, and OEM/private-label supply.

Scalpel handles

Scalpel handles hold disposable blades and are numbered by the blade range they accept. A No. 3 handle takes small blades (10, 11, 15) for fine and precise incisions; a No. 4 handle takes larger blades (20–24) for heavier cutting. Round and mini handles give a pencil grip for delicate aesthetic work, and long handles reach deep cavities.

Skin grafting knives

Skin graft knives such as the Humby, Watson, and Silver patterns harvest split-thickness skin grafts by hand. A roller set against the blade controls graft thickness, giving the surgeon manual control where a powered dermatome is unavailable or unsuitable.

Nasal & cartilage knives

Cottle and Joseph knives are used in rhinoplasty and septal surgery. Cottle nasal knives — straight, angled, and double-edged — incise and elevate septal mucosa, while Joseph knives, including button-end and double-edged patterns, cut and refine soft tissue and cartilage precisely.

Which knife or handle do you need?

Explore related plastic surgery instruments

• Dissectors & Elevators including Cottle and Joseph elevators
• Scissors & Thumb Forceps
• Osteotomes, Chisels & Rasps
• All Plastic Surgery Instruments

All manufactured in surgical-grade stainless steel to international standards, reusable and autoclavable, with worldwide shipping.

Bulk, wholesale & OEM supply

As a direct manufacturer, NJ Medical Instruments supplies surgical knives and scalpel handles in bulk and wholesale quantities to hospitals, clinics, and distributors, and produces OEM / private-label instruments to custom specifications and laser marking. Contact us by email at info@njmedicalinstruments.com or by WhatsApp for volume pricing — no minimum-order barriers, no middlemen.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a No. 3 and No. 4 scalpel handle?

A No. 3 handle accepts smaller blades such as 10, 11, and 15 and is used for fine, precise incisions. A No. 4 handle accepts larger blades in the 20 to 24 range for longer or heavier incisions. The handle number tells you which blade range fits.

What is a Humby knife used for?

A Humby knife is a hand-held skin grafting knife used to harvest split-thickness skin grafts. An adjustable roller set against the blade controls the thickness of the graft as the surgeon draws the knife across the donor site.

What is the difference between a Humby knife and a dermatome?

Both harvest split-thickness skin grafts. A Humby knife is a manual instrument where the surgeon controls the cut by hand and sets thickness with a roller. A dermatome is a powered or drum device that takes grafts of more consistent width and thickness. The Humby remains useful for smaller grafts and where a powered dermatome is not available.

What is a Cottle nasal knife used for?

A Cottle nasal knife is used in rhinoplasty and septal surgery to incise and elevate the septal mucosa. It comes in straight, angled, and double-edged patterns to suit different approaches within the nasal passage.

Are scalpel handles reusable?

Yes. Our scalpel handles are made from surgical-grade stainless steel, are fully reusable, and withstand repeated autoclave sterilisation. The blades fitted to them are disposable and changed between uses.

Do you supply knives and handles in bulk or for OEM / private label?

Yes. As a direct manufacturer we supply all surgical knives and scalpel handles in bulk and wholesale quantities and offer OEM / private-label production to custom specifications. Contact us by email or WhatsApp for volume pricing.