SCALPEL WITH A DOUBLE GRIND BLADE EDGE AND DETACHABLE HANDLE

A scalpel having a blade with a fitting molded about or assembled to its proximal end with the fitting having a proximally facing opening sized to receive an end of a distal portion of a detachable handle. The handle includes a proximal portion designed to be gripped by the surgeon and a distal portion including a male coupling half designed to be received within the proximal opening of the fitting, which proximal opening is configured as a female coupling half. The proximal and distal portions of the handle are angled with respect to one another defining an angle from about 0.degree.-10.degree.. The male coupling half may be inserted within the fema le coupling half in either one of two diametrically opposed orientations. Thus, due to the angulation between the proximal portion of the handle and the distal portion of the handle, the proximal portion of the handle is either angled downwardly or upwardly with respect to the axis of the blade itself. The handle may be attached to the blade in either one of these two positions depending upon the particular surgical step that is being carried out by the surgeon. The blade itself is provided with a double grind which enhances the sharpness and longetivity of the blade. In the preferred embodiment, the blade includes a primary grind defining an angle of 6.degree.-10.degree. per side and a secondary and final grind of 14.degree.-18.degree. per side. The blade itself is made of a thickness of from 0.020 - 0.029 inches, and, if desired, the cutting surface of the scalpel blade may be coated with a very thin layer of zirconium nitride or other coating material as disclosed.