A scalpel handle for holding a blade includes a handle member and a blade shield for covering the cutting edge of the blade. The blade shield is connected to the handle member for movement relative thereto between a blade-covering position and an out-of-the-way position, and a finger-operable actuator is mounted upon the handle member for movement relative thereto and is connected to the shield so that by moving the actuator between first and second conditions, the shield is moved between its blade-covering and its out-of-the-way positions. An over center spring is interposed between the actuator and the handle member so that upon movement of the actuator into its second condition, the shield is biased into the out-of-the-way position and so that upon movement of the actuator into its first condition, the shield is biased into the blade-covering position.
