Abstract: A blade extractor (1) for a replaceable blade instrument or tool (3), which comprises upper and lower tabs (12, 13) of length slightly exceeding that of a blade (2) to be extracted, and of width slightly exceeding that of a blade (2) to be extracted with side skirts (16, 17) provided on one or both tabs (12, 13), abutment means (22) provided on one tab (12), and with the tabs (12, 13) being hinged together and being manually and progressively displaceable from a splayed-apart, open position to a closed position, in which closed position the tabs (12, 13) encapsulate the blade (2), and lie in substantially parallel planes, with opposite longitudinal edges of the tabs (12, 13) and hence the extractor (1) closed off by the side skirts (16, 17), and the abutment means (22) engages a portion (11) of the blade (2) so that, when the user manoeuvers the instrument or tool (3) with respect to the extractor (1 ) during the extraction process, the blade (2) is safely encapsulated within the extractor (1).