A lancet, a lancing device, a method of loading a lancet into a lancing device, and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The lancet may have a needle, a body attached to the base of the needle, arm members attached to the body, and a tip cover attached to the arm members and slidably attached to the needle, wherein at least one of the tip cover and the body is selectively moveable between an operative configuration and a protective configuration. The lancing device may have a lancet holder having surfaces which retain the lancet. The method of loading a lancet may involve providing the lancet in a protective configuration and inserting the lancet into a lancet holder of the lancing device, such that the tip cover or the body is selectively moveable between an operative configuration and a protective configuration.
