Stainless Steel Scalpel Handle #3 Size Blade Holder

A reusable, autoclavable stainless steel scalpel handle designed for clean mycology lab work — agar transfers, tissue cloning, sector isolation, and precision cuts on fresh fruiting bodies. Ships with two sterile sample blades so you can start immediately: one #10 for cutting and one #11 for transfers.

The everyday tool for serious cultivators

Two blades included — one for cutting, one for transfers

Each handle ships with two individually-wrapped sterile sample blades so you can compare both shapes in practice before deciding which one you prefer to restock. Both fit the #3 handle and tens of other standard Swann-Morton compatible holders.

Most cultivators end up using both: the #10 to cut, the #11 to lift and place. Refill blades in the #10–#15 range fit this standard #3-fitting handle and are widely available from lab supply vendors.

Why a reusable handle instead of disposable scalpels?

• Cheaper over time — one handle plus 100 refill blades costs less than 100 disposable scalpels and lasts indefinitely.
• Better balance and control — the metal handle has weight and grip the plastic disposables don't. You feel the cut.
• Fully autoclavable — sterilise the handle in a pressure cooker / autoclave alongside your other tools. Flame-sterilise the blade between transfers.
• Less waste — only the small foil blade pack gets disposed of, not a whole plastic scalpel each time.
• Standard compatibility — accepts the entire #10–#15 blade family. Refills available everywhere.

What's in the box

• 1× Stainless steel scalpel handle, size #3 — ergonomic ridged grip, fully autoclavable.
• 1× #10 sample blade — sterile, individually foil-wrapped. Curved cutting edge for precision wedge and tissue cuts.
• 1× #11 sample blade — sterile, individually foil-wrapped. Pointed triangular tip for transfers and sectoring.

How to use it cleanly

• Sterilise before first use — autoclave the handle for 15 minutes at 121°C, or wipe with 70% isopropyl. Sample blades are already gamma-sterilised in foil.
• Mount the blade — in a flow hood or still-air box, peel the foil pouch and slide the blade onto the handle's slotted tip until it clicks into place.
• Flame-sterilise between transfers — hold the blade in an alcohol lamp until red-hot, then let it cool 5–10 seconds before touching agar (a hot blade will melt the surface and kill mycelium).
• Remove the blade safely — lift the back edge of the blade with a forceps or blade remover — never with your fingers. Dispose in a sharps container.
• Store dry — after autoclaving, dry the handle completely before storage to prevent any spotting on the stainless steel.

Specifications

• Handle size — #3 fitting (the most common mycology and surgical size).
• Compatible blades — #10, #10A, #11, #11P, #12, #12D, #13, #14, #15, #15A, #15C and other #3-fitment shapes.
• Material — stainless steel, full surface.
• Sterilisation — autoclave (121°C, 15 min), flame, dry heat, or 70% isopropyl wipe-down.
• Included sample blades — 1× #10 sterile + 1× #11 sterile, gamma-sterilised in individual foil pouches.

Pairs with

Want more blades? Stock up by the box of 100 — sterile, individually-wrapped:

• Sterile Scalpel Blades #10 — Box of 100 — curved cutting edge for agar wedges, tissue cloning and precision lab cuts.
• Sterile Scalpel Blades #11 — Box of 100 — pointed triangular tip for transfers, sector isolation and tissue puncture.

Safety: Blades are surgically sharp. Always mount, remove and dispose of blades using forceps — never your fingers. Keep out of reach of children and dispose of used blades in a sharps container.