Abstract: A machine for testing the sharpness of knives, particularly surgical knives, in which means is provided for grasping a cylindrical rod of material such as rubber or plastic so that a free end protrudes from the grasping mechanism, and means is provided for rotating the rod. A knife blade to be tested is mounted in a pivoted fixture which carries a predetermined weight and can be positioned so that the cutting edge of the blade rests in the side of the protruding end of the cylindrical rod. When the rod is rotated, the blade cuts into the rod, and the sharpness of the blade is determined by the number of turns required to cut through the rod.

Abstract: A package assembly for a surgical blade comprising a U-shaped member formed of resilient material such as plastic foam and a surgical blade assembled into the foam between the legs forming the U-shaped member. The foam member protects the cutting edge of the blade during packaging and subsequent handling, and the legs of the U-shaped member may be easily bent to one side to allow grasping of the blade by a blade holder to remove it from the package for use.