A scalpel guide system for a bladed surgical instrument. A pair of wire guides attach to a scalpel, for controlled travel of the scalpel along the wire. The wire guides of the scalpel guide system are especially useful as an enhancement to the “Seldinger technique,” or any surgical procedure employed for the percutaneous placement of elongated, tubular devices, with the aid of a guidewire or filament wire. The scalpel can be any knifelike surgical device, conventionally including a blade attached to a handle. The scalpel guiding system preferably includes a pair of wire guides, each extending from the scalpel, which can be disposable, as can the blade, independent of the scalpel. The pair of wire guides each have generally open funnel-shapes, with their wider portion facing the gap formed between the two guides. The user places this medal gap on the wire and rotates the scalpel to engage the wire. This engagement allows the user or surgeon to move the scalpel along the wire in a controlled and guided manner, for precise cutting or incising, as required for the needed procedure or operation.