Dermatomes — Pattern and Clinical Use
A split-thickness skin graft must be cut at a consistent depth — too thin and it will not take, too deep and the donor site will not heal well. Hand dermatomes such as the Humby and Watson use a guarded roller set against a blade, with the gap between them adjusted to set graft thickness. The surgeon draws the instrument across the donor site with a sawing motion to raise a sheet of uniform depth.
The mechanism that sets and holds the blade-to-roller gap is the entire instrument. A gap that shifts during the cut produces a graft of varying thickness, so the adjustment must lock positively and hold under the force of the cut.
Dermatomes Variants and Specifications
Standard hand dermatome patterns.
| Variant | Specification / use |
|---|---|
| Humby knife | Classic adjustable hand dermatome |
| Watson modification | Refined gap adjustment |
| Silver knife | Smaller, finer grafts |
| Replaceable blade | Fresh edge for every graft |
| Calibrated roller gauge | Sets graft thickness |
| Locking adjustment | Holds the gap under cutting load |
Material, Finish and Quality Control
We forge Dermatomes from 316L austenitic stainless. The blade-to-roller gap adjustment is tested to lock positively and hold under cutting load, since a shifting gap gives uneven graft thickness. Each batch passes Rockwell hardness testing, dimensional checks on gap adjustment lock under load, and visual inspection under our ISO 13485 system before passivation and final finishing. Mirror and satin finishes are both available — satin is usually specified where glare under operating lights is a concern.
Who Sources Dermatomes From Surgical Star
Hand dermatomes sell to plastic surgery and burns units, and remain in use as the reliable non-powered option alongside electric dermatomes.
OEM, Certification and Ordering
Every Dermatomes can be produced as a private-label line: your logo laser-marked on the handle, your catalog numbers, and your own printed packaging, manufactured from your drawings or a reference sample. Production runs inside a documented ISO 13485 quality system, with CE marking under EU MDR 2017/745 and US FDA establishment registration behind it. Your shipment carries a certificate of conformity plus the ASTM F899 material certificate for the grade actually used.
Minimums stay deliberately low so a new brand can launch without a heavy first order, and pricing is quoted direct from the factory on volume tiers. Bulk production usually takes four to six weeks from sample approval, shipped DDP with export paperwork and HS codes handled. See how OEM & private label works →
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is graft thickness set?
By the gap between the guarded roller and the blade, adjusted with a calibrated gauge and locked before the cut.
Are hand dermatomes still used?
Yes, particularly in burns units and where powered dermatomes are unavailable. They are reliable, need no power and give the surgeon direct feel.
Are the blades replaceable?
Yes — a fresh blade is used for each graft, since edge sharpness directly determines whether the cut is clean and even.
Can you manufacture these under our own brand?
Yes — full OEM and private label. We laser-mark your logo and catalog numbers, pack in your branded boxes, and work from your drawings, tech pack or a reference sample, with a pre-production sample approved before any bulk run.
Send your pattern list, drawing or a reference sample and we’ll quote MOQ, pricing and lead time — standard catalog or fully private-label.
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