Abstract: This invention discloses a surgical knife which is suitable for use in astigmatic radial keratotomy, and similar procedures and which includes an elongated diamond blade, a blade holder, and a rocking foot plate means pivotally attached to the knife body, and a method of performing a radial keratotomy procedure utilizing such a knife. Said rocking foot plate means has a lower surface for contacting and rocking over a peripheral portion of corneal tissue during a keratorefractive incision. The ability of the foot plate to rock assists surgeons in more precisely controlling blade movement during delicate surgeries, such as radial keratotomy.