The surgical scalpels shown are made from stainless steel. The term scalpel is used by doctors as an alternative to the term ‘surgical knife’, which is also occasionally used. Stainless steel results from adding metal chromium to steel, creating a material which is highly rust resistant.
These surgical scalpels were manufactured in Japan by the Yufu Itonaga Company during the 1960s. The company was founded by Mr Sadaki Itonaga in 1921. The uniform (single-part) characteristics of these scalpels set them apart from the more common ‘disposable scalpel’, the blades of which are discarded after use.