An introducer used to provide a route through which a catheter or other medical device is inserted so as to gain access to a subcutaneous vessel of a patient is disclosed. The introducer is configured so as to minimize the amount of force needed to enter and dilate a vessel, thus reducing trauma to the vessel and the patient. In one embodiment, an introducer is disclosed, comprising a sheath and a dilator. The sheath includes a tubular portion that defines a lumen. The dilator includes an elongate body and a tapered distal tip and is configured to be removably disposed within the lumen of the tubular portion of the sheath. The dilator elongate body defines a cylindrical recess proximally extending from the tapered distal tip. The cylindrical recess configured to receive therein the tubular portion of the sheath when the dilator is disposed within the tubular portion of the sheath.
