Abstract: A hand held device is provided which permits safe removal of used blades from scalpels or the like in which a slotted blade is received in opposed lateral grooves in a thin elongate tang with a proximal region of the blade located behind the tang in a cut-away laterally convergent region intermediate the tang and the handle. The device includes a base wall over whose surface the scalpel is advanced and having laterally opposed protuberant regions over which the blade slides. A slot between the protuberant regions which receives the tang but not the blade. A fully inserted position of the scalpel is defined by abutment between the proximal edges of the protuberant regions and said convergent region.