The scalpel is one of the oldest instruments in surgical practice and is considered to be a common symbol of a surgeon. In 400 BC Hippocrates first described the concept of a surgical knife however its origins can be traced back in history to as early as 10,000-8,000 BC. Early Palaeolithic and Neolithic versions were made from flint or obsidian and as humans advanced scalpels evolved into tools crafted from bronze and iron and became integral in the practices of ancient Greek and Roman physicians. The Renaissance marked a pivotal period characterised by a renewed interest in human anatomy and surgical precision. This lead to the refinement of scalpel design and function by the barber surgeons of this time and with the discovery of the importance of asepsis, non-metallic instruments and decoration became obsolete. In the modern era, the development of stainless steel and disposable materials revolutionised the scalpel. In 1914 the two-piece blade-and-handle that we are familiar with today was invented. Today the modern surgeon relies on a vast array of advanced and ever changing surgical equipment yet most operations start with the same instrument, the scalpel.