The present invention discloses a safety cutting device (10) comprising an elongate housing (16) defining a sheath (30) having an anterior opening (20) and a posterior opening (24) forming a cavity (18) configured to receive a slidable insert (14) ；a cutting blade (12) coupled to the slidable insert (14), the slidable insert (14) positioned within the cavity (18) and moveable within the housing (16) between a safe position in which the blade is covered by the sheath (30) and an exposed position in which the blade (12) is extended through the anterior opening (20) and exposed for cutting；a biasing member (32) biasing the slidable insert (14) to the safe position； the slidable insert (14) includes a posterior activation mechanism that extends through the posterior opening (24) and provides access for moving the slidable insert (14) from the safe position to the exposed position, the posterior mechanism including a longitudinal post (42)；a protective cover (46) that extends posterior to the posterior activation mechanism and impedes accidental actuation thereof；a latch mechanism operable to lock the slidable insert (14) in the exposed position； and a release mechanism configured to unlock the latch mechanism.
