Abstract: A detonator having an open-ended metal jacket containing a small explosive charge remotely ignited through a pair of wires extending through one end of the jacket. The explosive charge projects toward one end of the jacket thereby forming an air gap between the explosive charge and the jacket. The air gap absorbs and attenuates the explosive shock so that relatively thin jacket walls are of sufficient strength to withstand detonation of the explosive charge, thereby making the detonator incapable of causing bodily injury. The detonator can be used to ignite a detonating cord by inserting the cord through the open end of the jacket into a jacket cavity until the explosive core of the cord contacts the projecting charge with the casing of the cord occupying the air gap to enclose the explosive charge.