Proposed are a scalpel blade holder and a scalpel with a scalpel blade holder, which make it possible for a user to determine the rotation of the scalpel about the center axis of the scalpel blade holder without eye contact with the scalpel or with the scalpel blade. The handle region of the scalpel blade holder comprises three lateral faces which are disposed such that a cross-section with a substantially triangular envelope results for the handle region. The envelope of the cross-section of the handle region has substantially the form of an arc triangle whose corners are rounded. A plurality of tactile identifying features are designed as protrusions in the form of ribs extending over two of the lateral faces and running crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the scalpel blade holder. One of the tactile identifying features is designed as a recess, and is disposed on the remaining third lateral face, and extends over part of the length of the scalpel blade holder. By means of his sense of touch, the user can determine the alignment of the scalpel blade with regard to its rotation about the center axis of the scalpel blade holder.
