A hand held cutting implement e.g. scalpel comprising a sheath 3, a blade 9 movable into and out of the sheath 3 into retracted and extended positions, wherein the sheath 3 comprises a plurality of fastening means e.g. spigots 2 and a plurality of release elements e.g. wings 1 spaced apart on the sheath 3 which can be operated to release the fastening means 2. The fastening means may engage with slots 6,7,8 on the handle 4 of the cutting implement. In another aspect, a method of releasing the blade is described.
